Just Diagnosed: Your First 90 Days, Step by Step

The diagnosis appointment ends, you're handed a packet, and the door closes. Here's what the packet should have said.

Week 1–2: Breathe. Nothing is on fire.

The diagnosis changed your information, not your child. They are the same kid they were last week. You don't have to learn everything this month. Two tasks only:

1. Request the full written evaluation report (you'll need it for everything)
2. Tell the people who need to know — on your timeline, in your words

Week 3–4: Start the clocks (waitlists are the enemy)

Several waitlists are months-to-years long. Getting ON them costs nothing:

1. Medicaid waiver application — your state's DD services agency (even if your income seems too high — see the Funding guide)
2. ABA intake at 2–3 providers (multi-list; take the first good fit)
3. School: written request for evaluation/IEP eligibility (they have legal timelines once it's in writing)
4. SSI if income-eligible

Month 2: Build the home base

• Start ONE routine with visual supports (mornings are the classic). Small wins compound.
• Start logging behaviors in Aminy — by intake day you'll hand the BCBA a month of ABC data, which accelerates everything
• Read your child's evaluation report twice: once to cry, once to highlight the recommendations (they're your service-request checklist)

Month 3: Assemble the team

• First IEP meeting (bring the advocacy guide; you can bring a support person)
• ABA intake assessments
• Find ONE parent who's two years ahead of you — local support group or Aminy community. They're worth ten pamphlets.

What NOT to do in the first 90 days

• Don't buy a supplement protocol from the internet
• Don't commit to 40 hrs/week of anything before you've seen your child's response
• Don't read prognosis forums at 2am — every trajectory on earth is in there and none of them is your child
• Don't quit your job in week 2 (some parents eventually restructure work; do it from data, not panic)

The truth from the other side

Thousands of parents will tell you the same thing: the diagnosis day felt like an ending, and it was actually the day the right help became possible. Your child just became eligible for every support in this library.