The diagnosis of ASD should provide your child with opportunities for services in our state. Here is a list of steps that should be placed at the top of your list to help get your child enrolled in services:
Top To Do Items on your list if your child has been diagnosed with ASD:1.
Get the Autism Speaks First 100 Days toolkit. You can either download from the website or ask for a copy to be sent to you. This is a wonderful resource that helps guide you through what should happen in the first 100 days after your child received an autism diagnosis. It is available in English and Spanish. This is the link:
https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/100-day-kit
2.
Contact your child's school/preschool and let them know about the diagnosis. They may be able to program your child by giving more or different types of services now that they have this new diagnosis.
3.
Contact your local DHS Title V Case Manager (you can find this on the Title V section of this website). Your case manager can help you find resources in your local community and state/federal resources as well.
4.
Contact Arkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center (AAROC). AAROC was established January 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The mission of the AAROC is to provide Hope, Direction & Support to families of individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. For more information about AAROC, call (501) 454-8542 or email at
aaroc@uark.edu. The address is: 322 Main St. Suite 501 Little Rock, AR 72201
5. Most children who have an autism diagnosis are eligible for speech therapy, occupational therapy and developmental therapies (depending on their age). Another evidence-based therapy is
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). While this therapy is used for individuals with many diagnoses, research has found that it also helps individuals on the autism spectrum. Please be sure to talk to your child's PCP; AAROC and your Title V Case manager about ways to access ABA for your child.
Once you have accomplished the Top To Do items, here are some other resources that you will want to explore:
ASD National Website Resources:
1) Autism Speaks has created many other Toolkits for health care professionals and families. These toolkits can be accessed by anyone free of charge. They can be printed out or viewed on line. Click here to go to the Autism Speaks Toolkits:
2) Read published data about best therapies for individuals with ASD. The National Autism Center has published the National Standards Project (Phase 1 and 2). The National Standards Project established a set of criteria for research validate/evidenced based treatments for children with ASD. These reports are downloadable and also provide information for families, educators and service providers about best practice treatments for ASD. Click here for the link to the National Standards Project:
http://aaroc.org/ 3). Here are links to other websites that give good information about autism:
State and Local ASD resources:
1) Learn about ASD resources in the state of Arkansas. The Project Connect: Autism Resource Guide is a great starting point to help you find resources your child may need. The Project Connect Autism Resource Guide lists services in the state of Arkansas for individuals with ASD. Resources information is for very young children all the way up to adult/employment services for individuals with ASD.
To download a free copy of this wonderful resource go to:
You can also contact the Project Connect office to request a hard copy of the book (
projconn@uark.edu)
Publishing Houses that specialize in books/resources about ASD
There are some excellent publishing houses that have books for health care professionals, families, educators, and children/teens/adults with ASD.
Remember!!!!
1.Keep in touch with your child's medical/educational team (PCP, diagnosing team; therapists, case manager). It will be important to make sure that everyone is working together as your child matures, grows and develops.
2. Find other families who are facing similar successes and challenges. We learn from each other, humans do better when we support each other, and it makes the journey more enjoyable when you can share successes and have help with the challenges. Project Connect, AAROC, your PCP and your diagnosing team should be able to help you find families in your area who are walking the same journey as you.