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Guide

What should I do in the first month after my child's autism diagnosis?

A calm, week-by-week plan: take care of yourself, learn a little, set up supports, and start one small change.

By The Autism Kit teamUpdated Sep 28, 2026 · 1 min read
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The short answer

There's no rush to do everything at once. In the first month: give yourself time to take it in, read the report and ask questions, contact the services it recommends, talk to your child's school or preschool, and start one small support at home, like a visual schedule. Your child is the same child they were before the diagnosis.

Key takeaways
  • There's no rush to do everything at once.
  • Read the report and ask questions.
  • Contact services early, since waits can be long.
  • Start one small support at home.

What does a week-by-week plan look like?

A gentle first month
WeekFocus
1Take it in. Rest. Talk with someone you trust.
2Read the report. Write down questions. Ask the assessment team.
3Contact recommended services and your child's school or preschool.
4Start one visual support at home, like a morning schedule.

The assessment team should explain the results and next steps.1 Local services and charities can help too.2

Which services might be recommended?

Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, developmental or behavioural supports, and help at school are common. Your child's needs guide which ones.3 See What therapies and supports help autistic children?

What about me?

Try
  • Talking to other autism parents
  • Taking breaks
  • Learning a little at a time
Skip
  • Reading everything in one night
  • Programmes promising a cure
  • Comparing your child to others
Free printable: appointment notesPDF · 2 pages · what you've noticed, plus questions to ask
Download Free printable: appointment notes

What can I do this week?

0 of 3 done

Read next: How do I tell my child they're autistic?

Common questions

Yes. Parents feel many things: relief, worry, grief, hope. All of them are normal.

Sources

  1. NHS: Autism assessments, results and next steps. nhs.uk
  2. NHS: Help and support for autism. nhs.uk
  3. CDC: Treatment and intervention for autism spectrum disorder. cdc.gov

This guide shares general information and our team's perspective, based on the sources above. Every child is different, so please talk with your child's doctor or care team about what's right for your family. How we write our guides.

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