Questions Parents Should Ask After an Autism Diagnosis
When a child is newly diagnosed with autism, the right questions can bring clarity, confidence, and a sense of direction. As an ABA clinician, I’ve sat with many parents in those first weeks — overwhelmed, emotional, and unsure where to start. Asking thoughtful questions early can make everything feel more manageable.
Here’s a practical, honest guide to the questions I encourage families to ask right away.
What questions should parents ask after an autism diagnosis?
An autism diagnosis doesn’t come with a roadmap — but the questions you ask can help create one. These aren’t about having all the answers immediately. They’re about understanding your child and building the right support system.
Questions about your child’s diagnosis
Start by understanding what the diagnosis actually means for your child.
Helpful questions include:
- What strengths do you see in my child?
- What areas may need the most support right now?
- How does autism show up specifically for my child?
- What does this diagnosis not tell us?
I often remind parents that autism is a spectrum for a reason. Two children with the same diagnosis can look completely different day to day.
Questions about next steps and evaluations
Many parents ask me, “What do we do now?” That’s a very normal question.
You may want to ask:
- Are there additional evaluations or assessments recommended?
- What services should we consider first?
- How soon should autism intervention begin?
Often, families are guided toward an autism evaluation and follow-up services. If you’re navigating this process, this resource can help you find a way to autism evaluation. A comprehensive ABA assessment is also commonly recommended to guide treatment planning.
Questions about therapy and supports
Understanding therapy options can feel overwhelming at first.
Questions I hear a lot:
- What therapies are evidence-based for autism?
- What does ABA therapy actually look like day to day?
- How many hours of therapy are typically recommended?
- Will therapy happen at home, school, or both?
I always encourage families to ask how therapy will fit into real life — not just a clinic schedule.
Questions about your role as a parent
This part is huge, and often overlooked.
You may want to ask:
- How can I support progress at home?
- Will I receive training or coaching?
- How do we handle challenging behaviors in the moment?
In my experience, progress accelerates when parents feel confident and supported. That’s why parent involvement and training are so important.
Questions about school and daily life
Autism affects more than therapy sessions.
Important questions include:
- What supports can my child receive at school?
- How do we help with transitions and routines?
- What accommodations might be helpful?
These conversations help ensure consistency across environments — something I see make a big difference long term.
Finding support that grows with your family
At Blue Jay ABA, we support families through every stage of this journey — from those early questions to long-term growth.
We provide individualized ABA therapy across North Carolina, including:
We also offer hands-on ABA parent training so families feel empowered — not alone.
If you’re located in North Carolina, visit our page on ABA therapy in North Carolina or reach out to us today. We’re here to help you take the next step with clarity and compassion.
FAQs
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed after an autism diagnosis?
Yes. Almost every parent I work with feels this way at first. Support and information help ease that feeling over time.
Do parents need to decide everything right away?
No. It’s okay to move step by step. Asking questions and learning as you go is part of the process.
What’s the most important first step after an autism diagnosis?
Understanding your child’s unique needs and connecting with qualified professionals who can guide next steps.
Sources:
- https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/quickreadchallengingbehaviourguidev6.pdf
- https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/after-diagnosis/emotional-support-for-family-members-after-a-diagn
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/newly-diagnosed/
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/dos-donts-after-autism-diagnosis
- https://autism.org/friends-and-family-what-to-say/
- https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/what-to-do-after-autism-diagnosis/
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