# 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.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/first-month-after-diagnosis
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-28

**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?

| Week | Focus |
| --- | --- |
| 1 | Take it in. Rest. Talk with someone you trust. |
| 2 | Read the report. Write down questions. Ask the assessment team. |
| 3 | Contact recommended services and your child's school or preschool. |
| 4 | Start 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?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/autism-therapies-and-supports)

## 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

**Keep a notebook.** Write down questions, names and dates. It makes appointments and phone calls much easier.

Free printable: [Free printable: appointment notes](https://theautismkit.com/printables/appointment-notes.pdf)

## What can I do this week?

- [ ] Read the report and list your questions
- [ ] Contact one recommended service
- [ ] Try one visual support at home

Read next: [How do I tell my child they're autistic?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/telling-your-child-they-are-autistic)

## Common questions

### Is it normal to feel sad or relieved?

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

### Do I need to start therapy right away?

Contact recommended services soon, since waits can be long, but you don't need to fill every hour. Small daily supports at home matter too.

### Should I tell my child?

Many families share it in simple, positive words, at a pace that fits the child's age.

## Sources

1. NHS: Autism assessments, results and next steps. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/assessments/
2. NHS: Help and support for autism. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/help-and-support/
3. CDC: Treatment and intervention for autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/treatment/index.html

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.