Receiving the Diagnosis

By: Renée Knipper, Behavior Essentials Intake Specialist

I believe that Behavior Essentials should be your first call after receiving an Autism diagnosis because I will be the first person you talk to and I can relate to what parents are feeling and dealing with when they first receive that diagnosis. My two younger children are only ten months apart. So, when my youngest child started gaining milestones that his older sister hadn’t reached yet, my husband and I knew there was something going on that we couldn’t identify. After years of doctors visits, referrals, testing, meetings with specialists, and being tossed around like a hot potato, we finally received the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. A few short months later, our youngest was also diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We proceeded to wade through the stack of papers they handed us. Documents that said to apply for this, get enrolled here, register for this, start this therapy, etc. I was still trying to comprehend the diagnosis as I completed all the applications and registration forms. To be honest, I applied for stuff I didn’t even know what it was. Then we received our third diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, this time for our older son. I felt so lost. I didn’t know what to do or who to talk to and dealing with all the red tape was making my head spin. Now, as an employee at Behavior Essentials, I have the opportunity to help parents going through this very difficult process. In a nutshell, what I do at Behavior Essentials is try to be the person I needed when I went through all of this. I support families dealing with difficult behavior or just receiving an Autism diagnosis by helping them understand and access the resources available to them. All of us here at Behavior Essentials want you to have the support you need. Call me. I am more than happy to help.