It is important to know that kindergarten and beyond is mandatory. Your child must be enrolled in school at age of 6 or you could face potential criminal charges.
Enroll in early intervention as early as possible. For children under three years old, you can get free help from your local early intervention program usually available from your county or city. In Ohio, that is Bright Beginnings for Cuyahoga County, or in any other Ohio county contact helpmegrow.ohio.gov.
You do not need a diagnosis. If you see issues like delayed speech, contact your local early intervention program, even if a doctor doesn’t agree with your concerns. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page on early intervention provides a gateway to each state’s programs. Visit here to find your Ohio Help Me Grow information.
Most early intervention services (ie Help Me Grow/Bright Beginnings) do not continue past age 3, so that is when you transition to school services. This is a good time to connect with the Milestones free autism Helpdesk for advice.
Before age 3 enroll in your school district and request a Multi-Factored Evaluation (MFE), which is an assessment of your child’s skills and needs. Begin the process of getting an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as this can get you free services through your school district. An IEP is the legal document that sets your child’s yearly educational goals. It is designed to meet the educational needs for a child who may have a disability.
The Milestones IEPs web page and this article in the Education section of the Milestones Autism Planning (MAP) Tool provide detailed information.
Public preschools provide a great variety of preschool services. For private school preschools, you can find out if your state offers programs like an autism scholarship. For example, in Ohio there is the Ohio Autism Scholarship Program.
Additional Resources
Milestones Legal Resources Tool Kit
Organizations for Autism Research (OAR) Guide to Assessment and Guide to Navigating the Special Education System.
Other Government Support
It is vital for parents/guardians to have a will that outlines who your guardians would be and advance directives. This detailed article walks you through wills and advance directives.
Important Financial Information
If your child receives or might receive government benefits based on income limits, bear in mind that you cannot have more than $2,000 in assets or cash in your child’s name (always check the current status for yourself).
Open an ABLE account, which is a special savings account for people with disabilities that does not affect needs-based benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It may have different names in different states, for example in Ohio it's called a STABLE account. This Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) workshop video gives information about STABLE accounts and special needs trusts.
Depending on your state, you may be able to apply for Board of Developmental Disabilities services for your child. It requires a diagnosis of a developmental disability such as autism to be eligible. Some services may be income dependent but others are not. Ask when applying or discuss with the Milestones Helpdesk. Counties may or may not have income limits and will vary in services offered. For those in Ohio, check out the Milestones Getting Help from the Ohio DODD Tool Kit.
Applying for Benefits
You may want to explore Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a federal program that provides financial help for children and adults with disabilities who have low incomes and resources. It is based on your child’s diagnosis and your family’s household income and resources. Your child can receive SSI as early as infancy if your child meets disability criteria as well as the financial requirements.
Start by reviewing the Social Security Administration's (SSA) website and the application process which includes providing documents like birth certificate and medical information, and signing permission to allow Social Security to speak with your medical providers. You can contact the SSA which administers the program.
Note that there is an ongoing evaluation to re-determine that your child still qualifies every certain number of years. This often requires you to go to a doctor or medical professional you don’t know as they select who they want you to see.
You and your child with disabilities may qualify for Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps) benefits depending on your income level. Also look into your state social services or child and family services for possible assistance. In Ohio that is the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and/or the Department of Developmental Disabilities.
