Just Got an Autism Diagnosis in Missouri? What to Do in the First Month

Your first-month checklist

1. Read the diagnosis report

Get a copy and read the recommendations first. The American Academy of Pediatrics: "Every report will include a section with recommendations for your child."

Keep copies. Missouri programs ask for the formal diagnosis, and MO HealthNet's ABA coverage requires "a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder by a physician or psychologist."

2. Line up insurance or MO HealthNet

• Private insurance: Missouri law covers autism treatment, including ABA, speech and OT, when it is "ordered by the insured's treating licensed physician or licensed psychologist." Ask that doctor for the order.
• MO HealthNet: covers ABA, speech and OT for children under 21. Apply through the Family Support Division: 855-373-4636.
• Income too high for Medicaid? Ask DMH about the Sarah Jian Lopez waiver, which counts only your child's income.

3. Call First Steps or your school district

The public route needs no doctor's referral. The CDC: "a referral from a physician is not necessary to request an evaluation."

• Under 3: Missouri First Steps, the state's early intervention services for birth to age 3.
• 3 or older: ask your school district for a special education evaluation. In 14 St. Louis County districts that goes through SSD Early Childhood.

4. Make a DMH referral

Missouri's Department of Mental Health (DMH) opens the door to state autism services. DMH: "Anyone can make a referral to DDD for services."

Intake calls back within one business day. Return the application packet within two months, or the referral stops. DD eligibility also opens the East Missouri Autism Project, which helps pay for authorized autism services.

A reply in a Reddit autism parenting thread about Missouri put it plainly: "Getting connected to Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities has been helpful in finding resources and some funding."

5. Ask about speech therapy and OT

Your pediatrician can order them now. The AAP says your pediatrician "may prescribe medically necessary therapy to support skill development," such as speech therapy for communication skills and OT for self-help skills.

The CDC adds that speech therapy for language delays "often does not need to wait for a formal ASD diagnosis."

6. Choose an ABA provider

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy is a behavioral approach. The CDC: "Behavioral approaches have the most evidence for treating symptoms of ASD."

At Latitude, starting takes five steps:

1. We verify your insurance.
2. You send the autism diagnosis and an ABA referral.
3. A BCBA meets your family and child, then writes the treatment plan for you to approve.
4. The plan goes to your insurer for approval.
5. Therapy begins.

It typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, depending on insurance approval and your schedule. Both centers take ages 2 to 6, with part-time hours.

7. Get support for yourself

• Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit for young children 4 and under: free, with an email sign-up. It includes "A week-by-week plan for the next 100 days."
• Easterseals Midwest Family Navigators and parent support groups: 1-800-200-2119.
• FACT Family Support Partners, parents who raised a child with a disability: 636-949-2425.
• UCP Heartland Services Navigation, one-on-one help finding services: 314-994-1600.
• MPACT, free parent training on special education: 800-743-7634.

Paying for therapy is its own topic. See the insurance plans Latitude accepts.