1. Take Proactive Steps

Delaying action may limit access to valuable resources and support.

Contact your family doctor or primary care provider (PCP) to discuss your observations and concerns.

2. Get a Formal Diagnosis

Begin tracking and documenting behaviors, noting specific concerns, patterns, and how often they occur:

- Use a screening tool such as the M-CHAT or another recommended option, and bring the results to discuss with your family doctor if you have concerns.

- For parents, if your child is nearing school age and may require additional support, schedule a meeting with your local school principal to explore access to special education services.

3. Access Services & Funding

If a parent in Ontario, call the central intake to register your child in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). While the wait times are long, it's still ideal to take this step.

The services received will depend on their unique needs and may evolve as they grow and progress. It’s important to remember that autism is highly individualized, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to support. You may work with a team of professionals, including a family doctor, pediatrician, psychologist, behavior consultant, and other therapists. Together with your family’s input, these professionals will create a tailored plan to meet the needs seen.

4. Stay Organized

There are lots of ways you can stay organized. Keeping records of all the documents you'll be gathering, collaborating with your team to create a system everyone can use and access, using a calendar to schedule appointments & activities, etc., can make things much easier and less stressful in the long run. This can include records of all the healthcare professionals and organizations involved, the date, topic of discussion, results or follow-up details of meetings, and important reports such as documentation of strengths, needs, progress, and key support plans (such as medical or therapy-related reports). Additionally, this can include service, developmental and other therapy plans, education, school communication records & samples of schoolwork, and video logs of milestones.

Most importantly, schedule a time to regularly update and maintain your records!

5. Self-Education

Learn more about autism! A great place to start is our 'Learning' guide and other resources on this site; the next page after this one is linked to the button below! We also encourage you to check out the other great Autism organizations and local groups listed in the next section on the page, to find support, build connections, and access valuable resources.

6. Connect With Family & Friends

Caring for an Autistic child may come with unique challenges, so it’s important to prioritize self-care and quality time as a family. Find activities your family enjoys, considering sensory-friendly and calming options that work for everyone. Reach out to other parents, caregivers, and Autism groups to share experiences, build connections, and find support.