Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc.

An autism diagnosis is difficult for most parents to hear. You probably have been suspecting something was different about your child for a long time. The good news is that there is help and support available for both you and your child. The Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin has information on local resources and we run free parent workshops and support groups. Call us for more information at 414-427-9345, or continue browsing our website.  The Community of Practice for Children with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities has created a website that lists statewide resources.

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Once you start to search for answers, you find that are many directions to turn. There is no cure for autism, but there are many treatments that can help your child, and the earlier, the better. But which is best? We support parents in their decisions to provide what they feel is the best approach for their individual child and their family as a whole.

The Birth to 3 Program provides occupational, physical, and speech therapies as needed to children up to age 3 who have developmental delays. This is not “autism therapy,” specifically, but young children with autism spectrum disorders often benefit greatly from these therapies. See the listing in the Resource Directory for the Birth to 3 contact for your county or visit the Department of Health & Human Services Website for more information.

In Wisconsin, if your child is age 8 and younger, he or she may qualify to receive in-home ABA therapy through a waiver program. ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis – is widely recognized as a safe and effective treatment for autism and been endorsed by a number of state and federal agencies, including the U. S. Surgeon General. Therapists come into your home to work with your child on the specific behaviors that are preventing them from functioning at their full potential and to teach them social, educational, and play skills.

To start the process of applying for the Waiver program, contact the coordinator in your county. They are listed under “Waiver Program Contacts” in the Resource Directory. Or see the Department of Health & Human Services website.

Currently, there is a wait list for obtaining these services. Families may choose to start a program and pay out of pocket. Also, Wisconsin recently passed a new law mandating group insurance companies to pay for therapies. Check with your insurance provider.  See the listings for “In-Home Therapy Providers” and “P.L.A.Y. Project Parent Training” in our Resource Directory.  The Autism Society of America features a searchable resource database, called Autism Source. Check with your insurance provider if they cover any services or therapies for your child.

There are many other treatments to choose from that may help your child, including - but not limited to - speech, occupational, and physical therapies, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), Auditory Integration Training (AIT), music therapy, and hyppotherapy (using horses). Some families find that a special diet, supplements or other “biomedical” treatments help their child, using a DAN (Defeat Autism Now) approach.

While there is no medication specifically for autism, some families see a psychiatrist for medications that treat such symptoms as attention problems or injurious behavior.

See our Recommending Reading for Parents New to Autism OR Wondering Whether Their Child Has Autism for books you may find informative and helpful.