Getting Started
My Child Was Just Diagnosed With Autism in NJ — What Do I Do Next?
Receiving an autism diagnosis can bring a lot of information at once. Families may leave an evaluation with a long report but still wonder: what am I actually supposed to do next? There is no single checklist that every autistic child needs to follow. The next steps depend on your child's age, strengths, needs, insurance, school situation, and your family's priorities. This guide is meant to help New Jersey families organize the next steps without feeling like everything has to happen at once.
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026
Quick answer
Start with three things:
Understand the evaluation → organize your documents → choose the first one or two priorities.
You do not need to arrange every possible service immediately.
Read the evaluation
You don't have to understand every clinical term.
Start by identifying:
- Your child's diagnosis
- Strengths identified in the evaluation
- Areas where your child may need support
- Recommendations from the evaluator
- Any additional evaluations or follow-up recommended
If something is unclear, contact the professional who completed the evaluation and ask questions.
Create one folder for important documents
Keep copies of:
- Diagnostic evaluation
- Medical records related to the diagnosis
- Developmental evaluations
- School evaluations
- IEP or 504 Plan, if applicable
- Therapy evaluations
- Insurance information
- Important eligibility letters
- Contact information for providers and agencies
Families will often be asked for the same documents by different programs. Having everything together can make future applications much easier.
Look at your child's age
Under age 3
Families can contact the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS). NJEIS supports infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. A child with a documented autism diagnosis is eligible for NJEIS, and the system still conducts an assessment to identify developmental levels and needs.
NJ Early Intervention: 1-888-653-4463
Age 3 and older / school-aged children
If your child attends public school or is approaching school age and may need educational support, you can contact the school district to discuss your concerns and learn about the evaluation process for special education.
A medical autism diagnosis and school special-education eligibility are not the same thing. A medical diagnosis does not automatically determine the services or placement a child receives at school.
Learn about NJ developmental disability services
Families may also want to learn about Developmental Disability (DD/I-DD) eligibility through New Jersey's Children's System of Care.
A diagnosis alone does not automatically enroll a child in these services.
For children under 18, families can apply for developmental disability eligibility through PerformCare: 1-877-652-7624
Review your insurance
Contact your child's health insurance plan and ask what autism-related evaluations, therapies, and behavioral health services are covered under your specific plan.
Ask:
- Does my plan cover the recommended service?
- Do I need a referral?
- Do I need prior authorization?
- Which providers are in-network?
- Are there visit limits or other requirements?
Coverage varies by insurance plan and circumstances.
Decide what your child needs help with FIRST
Start with your child's actual needs.
Examples might include:
- Communication
- Daily living skills
- Feeding
- Sensory needs
- Emotional or behavioral regulation
- Safety
- Sleep
- Social participation
- School support
- Motor skills
Use the evaluation and conversations with qualified professionals to determine which supports may be appropriate.
Learn about possible services without assuming your child needs all of them
Depending on an individual child's needs and professional recommendations, families may encounter services such as:
- Speech-language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Feeding therapy
- Behavioral services, including ABA
- Mental-health services
- Parent/caregiver training
- School-based supports
If you don't know where to start, ask for navigation help
Autism New Jersey operates the 800.4.AUTISM Helpline and can provide information and referrals to families navigating autism-related services in New Jersey: 800-428-8476
A simple first-week checklist
- Save a copy of the diagnostic report
- Read the recommendations
- Write down your biggest questions
- Organize important records
- Identify your child's top 1–2 needs right now
- Contact Early Intervention if your child is under 3
- Contact the school if educational support may be needed
- Learn about DD eligibility through PerformCare
- Contact your insurance company about recommended services
- Remember that you do not have to do everything this week
Vicabell provides educational resource information and is not affiliated with the State of New Jersey, PerformCare, or Autism New Jersey. Program requirements and services can change. Always confirm current information with the official agency.
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026
This guide is for educational purposes and does not replace medical, legal, educational, or insurance advice. Programs, eligibility requirements, provider availability, and insurance coverage can change. Always verify information directly with the appropriate provider, school district, insurance company, or government agency.