Autism By Age
Ages Birth – 5
Summary Checklist
The following is a brief checklist of things to help you get started. This checklist is meant to serve as a guide only and is not exhaustive of all services and supports you should explore for your child or family member.
Early Intervention
- Contact your local Infants and Toddlers Program (ages birth – 3)
- Contact your local Family Support Network (ages birth – 3)
- Contact your local Child Find office (ages 3-21)
- Contact your local Preschool Partners (ages 3-5)
- Prepare to transition from Early Intervention Services to the local school system
- Explore Additional Early Intervention Resources
Health and Medical Care, and Related Therapeutic Interventions
- Understand the definitions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and why a person should be diagnosed.
- Learn about treatment options and therapies
- Sign up for the Autism Waiver Registry
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Investigate Behavior Supports if you need them
- Develop a system to organize your paperwork
- Develop a good group of providers and supports that will continue to work with your family on a long term basis
- Explore funding options for medical care
- Learn more about Medical Assistance
- Explore Dental Resources
- Explore Miscellaneous Medical and Health Resources
Communication Tools
- Learn all you can about Assistive Technology services available
- Explore Financial assistance for Assistive Technology
Education
- Learn about the special education process and IEPs
- Learn about 504 Plans (Kindergarten and older)
- Contact your local Family Support Network
- Prepare to transition from Early Intervention Services to the local school system
- Contact your local Preschool Partners
- Explore daycare and preschool options
- Understand your student’s placement options
- Get involved with your local Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SECAC) or the Maryland Special Education State Advisory Committee (SESAC)
- Develop a system to organize education records
- Explore Additional Education and Special Education Resources
- Consider homeschooling as an educational option
Social and Relationships
- Help your child learn about appropriate social skills
- Develop the recreational and leisure activities that your child enjoys
Safety
- Teach your child about stranger danger
- Discuss what is appropriate talk and touch
- Address wandering and elopement
- Explore additional safety resources
Funding for Services and Legal Issues
- Review the “Financial Things Every Parent of a Child with Autism Needs to Know”
- Sign up for the Autism Waiver
- Determine if your child is eligible for Social Security Benefits
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Investigate Low Intensity Support Services (LISS)
- Learn about life planning tools and options
- Develop a system to organize financial and legal records
Support: Support Groups and Respite
- Network with others at a support group
- Identify your support system
- Explore daycare options
- Take care of yourself, your spouse, your other children
- Investigate respite care options
- Involve your other children
Advocacy
Ages 6 – 12
Summary Checklist
The following is a brief checklist of things to help you get started. This checklist is meant to serve as a guide only and is not exhaustive of all services and supports you should explore for your child or family member.
Health and Medical Care, and Related Therapeutic Interventions
- Understand the definitions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and why a person should be diagnosed.
- Learn about treatment options and therapies
- Sign up for the Autism Waiver
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Investigate Behavior Supports if you need them
- Schedule regular re-evaluations and medical follow-up to measure progress and identify challenges
- Develop a system to organize your paperwork
- Develop a good group of providers and supports that will continue to work with your family on a long term basis
- Learn more about Medical Assistance
- Explore dental resources
- Explore Medical Resources for Females
- Explore miscellaneous health and medical resources
- Explore funding options for Medical Care
Assistive Technology
- Learn all you can about Assistive Technology services available
- Explore financial assistance for Assistive Technology
Education
- Learn all you can about educational options that are available (Diploma vs Certificate of Completion)
- Learn about the special education process and IEPs
- Learn about 504 Plans
- Determine with your IEP team which state assessment tests are most appropriate for your child
- Contact your Parents’ Place of Maryland, Partners for Success Family Center, or the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for assistance with school issues, IEP development, school resources
- Prepare for the transition from elementary to middle school
- Understand your student’s placement options
- Address any instances of bullying immediately
- Understand matters of discipline including suspension and expulsion
- Get involved with your local Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SECAC) or the Maryland Special Education State Advisory Committee (SESAC)
- Explore summer time options
- Develop a system to organize education records
- Contact your local Child Find office
- Explore homeschooling as an educational option
- Explore additional educational resources
- Explore additional special education legal resources as needed
- State resources for assistance with school issues, IEP development, school resources
Social and Relationships
- Help your child learn about appropriate social skills
- Teach your child about his/her body and sexuality as age appropriate
- Develop the recreational and leisure activities that your child enjoys
Safety
- Teach your child about stranger danger
- Discuss what is appropriate talk and touch
- Address wandering and elopement
- Explore additional safety resources
Funding for Services and Legal Issues
- Review the “Financial Things Every Parent of a Child with Autism Needs to Know”
- Sign up for the Autism Waiver
- Determine if your child is eligible for Social Security Benefits
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Investigate Low Intensity Support Services (LISS)
- Learn about life planning tools and options
- Develop a system to organize financial and legal records
Support: Support Groups and Respite
- Network with others at a support group
- Identify your support system
- Take care of yourself, your spouse, your other children
- Investigate respite care options
- Involve your other children
Advocacy and Self-Advocacy
Ages 13 – 17
Summary Checklist
The following is a brief checklist of things to help you get started. This checklist is meant to serve as a guide only and is not exhaustive of all services and supports you should explore for your child or family member.
Health and Medical Care, and Related Therapeutic Interventions
- Understand the definitions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and why a person should be diagnosed.
- Learn about treatment options and therapies
- Sign up for the Autism Waiver Registry
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Learn how to access behavior supports if you need them
- Schedule regular re-evaluations and medical follow-up to measure progress and identify challenges
- Develop a system to organize your paperwork
- Develop a good group of providers and supports that will continue to work with your family on a long term basis
- Learn more about Medical Assistance
- Explore dental resources
- Prepare your teen for becoming responsible for his/her own health care
- Explore Medical Resources for Females
- Explore miscellaneous health and medical resources
- Practice Self Care
Assistive Technology
- Learn all you can about Assistive Technology services available
- Explore financial assistance for Assistive Technology
- Ensure that the student exits school with a communication system they can use comfortably and that they can take with them into the adult world
Education
- Understand the requirements/criteria for exiting with a Diploma vs. a Certificate of Completion
- Learn about the special education process and IEPs
- Make sure that the IEP contains achievable, measurable objectives that reflect the student’s transition goals
- Learn about 504 Plans
- Determine with your IEP team which state assessment tests are most appropriate for your child
- Contact your Parents’ Place of Maryland, Partners for Success Family Center, or the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for assistance with school issues, IEP development, school resources
- Prepare for the transition from middle to high school
- Prepare to transition out of high school
- Understand your student’s placement options
- Address any instances of bullying immediately
- Understand matters of discipline including suspension and expulsion
- Get involved with your local Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SECAC) or the Maryland Special Education State Advisory Committee (SESAC)
- Explore summer time options
- Explore college options
- Develop a system to organize education records
- Explore additional special education law resources
- Explore state resources for assistance with school issues, IEP development, and school resources
- Explore homeschooling as an educational option
- Continue to refine your child’s IEP and understand the IEP process
- Explore additional educational resources
Employment
- Notice and develop skills that could lead to future employment
- Make sure your teenager has a resume that may include a list of skills and competencies as well as a video portfolio showing him/her at work
- Explore employment services and opportunities available in Maryland
- Additional employment resources
Housing
- Begin to explore housing options
- Apply to the local public housing authority Section 8 waiting list
- Help your child establish credit
Social and Relationships
- Help your child learn about appropriate social skills
- Teach your child about sexuality, relationships, and other teen issues
- Develop the recreational and leisure activities that your child enjoys
Funding for Services and Legal Issues
- Review the “Financial Things Every Parent of a Child with Autism Needs to Know”
- Understand what it means to move from Entitlement to Eligibility
- Determine if your child is eligible for Social Security Benefits
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Investigate Low Intensity Support Services (LISS)
- Learn about life planning tools and options
- Explore the legal implications of reaching age 18
- Develop a system to organize financial and legal records
Support: Support Groups and Respite
- Network with others at a support group
- Identify your support system
- Involve your other children
- Investigate respite care options
Transportation
- Explore options including public transportation, Mobility, and driver’s license
- Help your child obtain a Maryland State ID card issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration
Advocacy and Self-Advocacy
- Learn about becoming an advocate at the local and national level. Consider joining local and national autism groups and listservs.
- Get involved with your local Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SECAC) or the Maryland Special Education State Advisory Committee (SESAC)
- Help your child learn self-advocacy skills
- Follow the Money: The U.S. Budget and You (a toolkit from ASAN that explains how the federal budget works)
Ages 18 – 21
Summary Checklist
The following is a brief checklist of things to help you get started. This checklist is meant to serve as a guide only and is not exhaustive of all services and supports you should explore for your child or family member.
Health and Medical Care, and Related Therapeutic Interventions
- Understand the definitions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and why a person should be diagnosed.
- Learn about treatment options and therapies
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Learn how to access behavior supports if you need them
- Identify a General Practitioner/Family Practice/Primary Care doctor
- Schedule regular re-evaluations and medical follow-up to measure progress and identify challenges
- Develop a system to organize your paperwork
- Develop a good group of providers and supports that will continue to work with your family on a long term basis
- Learn more about Medical Assistance
- Explore dental resources
- Prepare your young adult for becoming responsible for his/her own health care
- Explore Medical Resources for Females
- Explore miscellaneous health and medical resources
- Learn about funding options for medical care
- Practice Self Care
Assistive Technology
- Learn all you can about Assistive Technology services available
- Explore financial assistance for Assistive Technology
- Students should exit school with a communication system that they can use comfortably and that they can take with them into the adult world
Education
- Understand the requirements/criteria for exiting with a Diploma vs. a Certificate of Completion
- Make sure that the IEP contains achievable, measurable objectives that reflect the student’s transition goals
- Determine with your IEP team which state assessment tests are most appropriate for your child
- Contact your Parents’ Place of Maryland, Partners for Success Family Center, or the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for assistance with school issues, IEP development, school resources
- Prepare to transition out of high school
- Understand your student’s placement options
- Address any instances of bullying immediately
- Understand matters of discipline including suspension and expulsion
- Get involved with your local Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SECAC) or the Maryland Special Education State Advisory Committee (SESAC)
- Apply to the MSDE Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
- Explore summer time options
- Explore college options
- Explore secondary education options (technical school, culinary school, apprenticeship, etc.)
- Develop a system to organize education records
- Learn about 504 Plans
- Explore homeschooling as an educational option
- Read the guide on how to get scholarships and grants for students with disabilities
- Explore additional special education legal resources as needed
- Continue to refine your child’s IEP and understand the IEP process
- Explore additional education resources
Employment
- Develop employment experiences, either paid or volunteer
- Make sure your teenager has a resume that may include a list of skills and competencies as well as a video portfolio showing him/her at work
- Apply to the MSDE Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
- Explore employment services and opportunities available in Maryland
- Evaluate interests and strengths – vocational assessments
- Make a decision about disclosure (of diagnosis)
- Learn about 504 Plans
- Additional employment resources
Housing
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Apply to the local public housing authority Section 8 waiting list
- Help your young adult establish credit
- Explore residential housing
- Explore community housing with supports
- Explore rental options
- Explore home ownership
- Investigate additional housing information
- Learn about Social Security and housing
- Investigate foreclosure assistance and information if you need it
Social and Relationships
- Continue to help your young adult learn about appropriate social skills
- Teach your young adult about sexuality and relationships
- Develop the recreational and leisure activities that your young adult enjoys
Funding for Services and Legal Issues
- Review the “Financial Things Every Parent of a Child with Autism Needs to Know”
- Understand what it means to move from Entitlement to Eligibility
- Apply for Social Security Benefits
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Investigate Low Intensity Support Services (LISS)
- Learn about life planning tools and options
- Develop a system to organize financial and legal records
- Explore the legal implications of adulthood
Safety
- Address issues of being on their own, legal ramifications
Support: Support Groups and Respite
- Network with others at a support group
- Investigate support groups for your young adult
- Identify needs of support and establish a support system
- Take care of yourself, your spouse, your other children
- Investigate respite care options
- Involve your other children
Transportation
- Explore options including public transportation, Mobility, and driver’s license
- Apply for all appropriate transportation programs
- Help your young adult obtain a Maryland State ID card issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration
Advocacy and Self-Advocacy
- Make a decision about disclosure (of diagnosis)
- Learn about becoming an advocate at the local and national level. Consider joining local and national autism groups and listservs.
- Get involved with your local Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SECAC) or the Maryland Special Education State Advisory Committee (SESAC)
- Help your young adult learn self-advocacy skills
- Follow the Money: The U.S. Budget and You (a toolkit from ASAN that explains how the federal budget works)
Ages 21 – Older
Summary Checklist
The following is a brief checklist of things to help you get started. This checklist is meant to serve as a guide only and is not exhaustive of all services and supports you should explore for your child or family member.
Health and Medical Care, and Related Therapeutic Interventions
- Understand the definitions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and why a person should be diagnosed.
- Learn about treatment options and therapies
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Investigate Behavioral Support Services if you need them
- Schedule regular re-evaluations and medical follow-up to measure progress and identify challenges
- Develop a system to organize your paperwork
- Develop a good group of providers and supports that will continue to work with your family on a long term basis
- Learn more about Medical Assistance
- Explore dental resources
- Explore miscellaneous health and medical resources
- Learn about funding options for medical care
- Explore resources for navigating medical benefits (for services other than private insurance)
- Practice Self Care
Assistive Technology
- Learn all you can about Assistive Technology services available
- Explore financial assistance for Assistive Technology
Employment
- Develop employment experiences, either paid or volunteer
- Develop a resume that may include a list of skills and competencies as well as a video portfolio showing him/her at work
- Explore employment services and opportunities available in Maryland
- Evaluate interests and strengths – vocational assessments
- Make a decision about disclosure (of diagnosis)
- Learn about 504 Plans
- Explore additional employment resources
Housing
- Explore housing options (residential, community supports, rental options, home ownership)
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Apply to the local public housing authority Section 8 waiting list
- Establish credit and continue to monitor credit reports
- Learn about social security and housing
- Explore additional housing information
Social and Relationships
- Continue to help your family member learn about appropriate social skills
- Teach your family member about sexuality and relationships
- Develop the recreational and leisure activities that your family member enjoys
Funding for Services and Legal Issues
- Review the “Financial Things Every Parent of a Child with Autism Needs to Know”
- Apply for Social Security Benefits
- Apply to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
- Investigate Low Intensity Support Services (LISS)
- Learn about life planning tools and options
- Develop a system to organize financial and legal records
- Explore the legal implications of adulthood
Support: Support Groups and Respite
- Network with others at a support group
- Take care of yourself, your spouse, your other children
- Investigate respite care options
Transportation
- Explore options including public transportation, Mobility, and driver’s license
- Apply for all appropriate transportation programs
- Help your family member obtain a Maryland State ID card issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration
Advocacy and Self-Advocacy
- Make a decision about disclosure (of diagnosis)
- Learn about becoming an advocate at the local and national level. Consider joining local and national autism groups and listservs.
- Help your family member learn self-advocacy skills
- Follow the Money: The U.S. Budget and You (a toolkit from ASAN that explains how the federal budget works)