Elder Healthcare Consulting

Yes, they are posted via social media, Eventbrite and you may contact me at shawnia@ehcslp.com to be added to our email list so that you never miss out those events!

Yes, 20 minutes after you attend a complimentary workshop or contact me directly.

That's a great question, and the answer depends on your situation. Let me help you think through it.

You might benefit from an advocate if:

✅ You feel overwhelmed or confused by the special education process

✅ You're not sure what questions to ask in ARD/IEP meetings

✅ The school is denying services you believe your child needs

✅ You've requested evaluations but the school hasn't responded or is delaying

✅ Your child has an IEP but isn't making progress and you don't know why

✅ You feel outnumbered or intimidated in meetings

✅ You've tried to advocate on your own but aren't getting results

✅ The school's reports and evaluations don't match what you see at home

✅ You're facing a contentious ARD meeting or potential due process

✅ You simply want peace of mind that you're asking the right questions and pushing for the right services

A formal ASD diagnosis, or a medical diagnosis, helps you get the support your family needs, especially within the context of accessing medically necessary therapies and services.

• Insurance Coverage for Therapies: Medically necessary therapies for ASD are often covered by insurance including, but not limited to, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and occupational therapy. 
• Financial Support: A diagnosis is required when applying for social security or disability benefits. 
• Plan for Care: A diagnosis helps identify your child’s support needs. For example, your child might need to develop social communication and self-regulation skills.
• Future Research: The more data we gather through evaluations, the more we can improve services for autistic children and adults.

Check out Autism Diagnosis: The Complete Guide for Parents for more information.

1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism according to the latest reports.

Here are some reasons why:

• Medical professionals understand autism better. More doctors are trained to test for autism and other developmental and language delays.  
• The definition of autism has evolved in recent years which means that an autism diagnosis covers more conditions to help more people get the services they need.

For more information check out Common autism diagnosis questions: Answers from Dr. Melanie Hsu

Yes, but there is room for improvement. We don’t have a single, perfect diagnostic tool for autism and there are a lot of factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis. There are a few “gold standards” that are used for diagnosis.

This happens. The results of the school’s evaluation may be different than your child’s medical diagnosis. It’s also important to remember that school is NOT the final say on your child’s potential. They may offer very little support to your child, underestimate their abilities, or disagree with you on what support your child needs. You will probably need to advocate for the services and support you believe your child needs.

Even if a provider offers parent training, it may look different from one provider to another. For example, an in-home provider might conduct a parent training session directly following a therapy session with your child to help explain what they’ve been working on with your child. At larger organizations, you might have a support group of families who are dealing with similar issues.