First time momma son w/ autism

I’m 25 single mom , my son is 3 going to be 4 I found out in September this year about his diagnosis. he’s non verbal level 3. sweet boy that loves life and his momma , I am struggling not knowing where to start I feel relieved since finding out cause I didn’t know what was wrong with my baby for a while. However taking steps for him and me seem like A Lot! Any tips or advice insight that you wish someone told you etc. I just feel overwhelmed since finding out I wanna protect him , help him , do more for our future but it’s hard. Break down: I don’t have a car ,no job (I lash girls when I can get help with dad) on weekends (dad doesn’t have set schedule so I haven’t worked a 9-5). I take care of my son alone fully most the time, only main income is child support .. I applied for ssi , and housing. He started speech therapy :) mainly school and Aba therapy is stressing me out bad. He’s pretty clingy so I’m worried to leave him places. My lease is up next March , my options are 1.move in with mom (we had problems before living together) but I can save more $ our relationship since living separately is better she thinks we can try again I’m not sure 100% , other option I can do my lease here again or find a new apartment place etc but less help with a ride.

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Have you applied for Tefra (medicade)?

See if ur son school do iep...the school that my daughter goes to have speech and occupation therapy

@Ashlee is this the same as Medicaid or no

@Ta'Zondra I will be looking for those that do I didn’t know what it was called thank you

Of course ...it helps a lot for her n me because she can get what she need in school because before she wasn't talking much by seeing a lot of therapists all day

@Madie so I’m actually filling out the paperwork for my oldest and no it’s separate

I would say trust the process and your gut. Stay very involved in everything going on for him and make adjustments to his best needs. The process with my son has been slow but steady and when something doesn’t feel right I change it. It seems like my gut feeling has been right so far and for the best interest of my son. So just trust yourself mama and chip away at everything little by little and breathe. It can be overwhelming at times but it will all pay off for your son.

Here’s some things I wish someone would’ve told me… 1) If you have Medicaid reach out to your insurance because they can provide in-home help for how many days and how many hours you need if you need to work go to school anything like that reach out to your insurance and talk to your pediatrician because most likely they’re gonna have to write a referral to your insurance.(when inquiring about this be super specific about the days and the hours that you want the more specific you are the faster the service.) 2) Go through any district programs that your county provides there should be some type of intermediate unit where they will create an IEP for him and give him speech and occupational therapy for free 3) also you can reach out to your pediatrician again and ask him for a referral to extra speech and occupational therapy ASAP. 4) before you ask for any referrals or anything like that, I would just do a sufficient amount of research on the facilities that you have near you

Cont… normally if you have an online portal for your insurance, it’ll show you all of the facilities in your area that’s in your network and you can gauge which one would be best for you and your son. All of these facilities, including the therapy and him going to a district program they can provide transportation for him.

5) you got this mama. I’ve been in your shoes completely lost and you’re already doing an amazing job by just trying to get all the information you can❤️❤️🫶🏽🫶🏽

Ps.. I know it’s hard trusting other people so I would recommend getting some Nanny cam set up in your house if you’re going to get in-home help just to make sure you’re comfortable with the person watching your child. I know I do.🥹🩷

Another thing to make your life easier put locks on everything the older they get the more curious they are I would suggest getting those magnetic locks for your cabinets getting a lock for your fridge and in general just locking up things that he does not need access to in that moment it would save you so much stress I promise😅

If you have a family member that doesn’t work and you trust them more than reaching out to your insurance your insurance also has a respite program for children on the spectrum where they pay a family member to watch the child and they put that family member through training

I know this is a lot so if you have any questions, please just message me. I hope this helps🫶🏽

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