Autism Action Plan

First Steps

The following is a suggested list of actions to take following an autism diagnosis. Many resources exist to guide you along the journey and provide treatment options.

1. Research Government Services

Early intervention services are available at a local and state level. The services provided vary depending on the age of the individual and the state in which they reside. For example, if a child is 3 years or older it is recommended to first contact your local school district, as they will likely have the best knowledge of community services available.

Early Intervention Services Include:

• State/County Resources - Early Intervention Services
• Local School District
• Regional Centers – (California)

2. Research Funding Sources

Depending on the current family financial situation, there are several funding sources available with regard to treatment. If private health insurance is an option, this is the first place to call and investigate what coverage, if any is provided by a current plan:

• Private Insurance (Health Insurance)
• Medicaid
• Federal Funding
• Grants

3. Explore Traditional Therapy

Depending on the diagnosis, several traditional therapies may be available in the local area. Insurance or government support may be available to access the following programs, such as:

• Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Physical Therapy

4. Utilize the Programs & Services from Generation Rescue

Generation Rescue is here to provide support for treatment, guidance, education and hope for recovery through the journey with autism. Apply for our treatment grant, find a physician and connect with a parent mentor:

• One of the best resources Generation Rescue can provide is access to parent mentors who can assist recently diagnosed families. Connect with a Parent Mentor.
• To ensure access to treatment options Generation Rescue provides a grant program to families in financial need. Apply for a Rescue Family grant to start biomedical treatments.
• If qualifications for the grant program cannot be met, please review the following pages:
  • Find a physician in your area 
  • Additional treatments to explore

5. Explore an Allergen Free Diet

Improvement has been seen with the removal of certain allergens such as gluten, casein, or soy from the diet. Explore a variety of special diets, including the gluten-free, casein-free diet and other allergen free diets through the following resources:

• Explore the the gluten-free, casein-free diet
• Body ecology diet
• Elimination diet
• Rotation diet
• Other allergen free diet

6. Consider Supplementation with multi-vitamins and other beneficial nutritional support

• Multi-vitamins and multi-minerals
• Probiotics
• Digestive enzymes
• Fish oils
• MB12
• Natural detoxifiers
• Anti-virals
• Anti-fungals
• Anti-yeasts

7. Read, read, and continue to read

New articles, books and published science in the field of autism are available:

• Generation Rescue Blog
• Published Articles
• Published Science
• Recommended Reading

8. Attend the Autism One/Generation Rescue Annual Conference

AutismOne is the largest autism conference in the U.S. that provides free access to families to learn about the latest research and therapies from leading scientists and physicians. Learn more.

**None of the information presented here should be considered medical advice or a "cure" for Autism. The information presented represents strategies for dealing with Autism that have been reported as successful by professionals and/or families with Autism. While we believe this information to be accurate we are not in a position to independently verify it and cannot guarantee that it will work in any particular case. No treatment for Autism should be attempted without prior consultation with a physician familiar with Autism Spectrum Disorders.