Although pursuing an autism diagnosis is 100% a family decision, there can be benefits to
obtaining a diagnosis. Here are some common benefits I have seen:

Access to Services

An autism diagnosis can open the door to certain services that a child may not otherwise be eligible for. As an example, some families may wish to pursue applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services. Children are not eligible to receive ABA therapy services unless they have been formally diagnosed with autism. Further, an autism diagnosis can be helpful in accessing more appropriate services for your child. For example, there are providers across disciplines who have expertise in working with children with autism. Having an autism diagnosis and seeking out providers with expertise in autism may increase the effectiveness of services compared to seeking out a general practitioner who does not have the same level of expertise in neurodevelopment.

 

 

Increased School Supports 

Families may wish for their child to get increased supports in the school setting and may have encountered resistance from schools to provide these supports unless the child has a documented diagnosis that would make them eligible for school-based services. A formal autism diagnosis can document a child’s specific challenges and needs, as well as which services and accommodations would be most helpful for the child based on their specific presentation. Although the provision of school-based services is ultimately up to your child’s school team and determination process, having an evaluation and documented diagnosis can often be helpful in facilitating this process and advocating for appropriate supports.

 

Enhanced Understanding

Having an autism diagnosis can help you and other important people in your child’s life to understand your child better. Autism is a brain-based difference and understanding how your child experiences the world as well as what their strengths and challenges are, can help you and your child’s team (e.g., school personnel, medical providers, etc.) establish approaches that are more likely to be beneficial. In addition, it is common for some autistic children to pick up on their own social differences as they get older – they may wonder why certain things are different and/or more difficult for them compared to their same aged peers. An autism diagnosis can help enhance their understandings of themselves and can possibly help them seek out a community of people who may have similar differences.