Home · Newly Diagnosed · Step 7 of 10
Assemble the Professionals Your Child Needs
Your child will benefit from a coordinated team of professionals who communicate with each other and with you. At minimum, you want a developmental pediatrician who understands your child's diagnosis and can coordinate medical care, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who designs and supervises ABA therapy, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who addresses communication goals, and an occupational therapist (OT) who works on sensory and motor skills. As your child approaches school age or if they are already in school, consider adding a special education advocate or attorney to your team. These professionals attend IEP meetings with you, review proposed placements, and ensure the school district meets its legal obligations. Many parent advocacy organizations offer low-cost or pro bono advocacy services. Finding the right providers takes effort. Start by asking other parents in support groups for recommendations — they know who is effective and who is not. Check whether providers are in your insurance network before committing. When interviewing BCBAs, ask about their experience with your child's specific diagnosis, their supervision ratio, and their approach to parent training. A good provider welcomes your questions and treats you as a partner. If a provider dismisses your concerns, talks over you, or refuses to explain their methods, find someone else. You are hiring them.
Coordinated care produces better outcomes. Building your team early prevents fragmented treatment and ensures everyone is working toward the same goals for your child.