From Autism Diagnosis to Discharge: Understanding Your Child’s Path to Care

 If you suspect your child has a developmental disability like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you may be wondering what to do next. Trust your instincts and act early as it can make a big difference. A professional evaluation is the crucial first step, so talk to your child’s pediatrician. They can refer you to a specialist or a behavioral healthcare organization like Catalight that can guide your child along their path to care. 

At Catalight, we make it easy for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to access the high-quality care and services they need. Here are the six steps in our process: 

Conduct a Diagnostic Assessment

Within four to seven days of receiving the referral, we meet with clients and their families to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. This information is compiled into a report, which our multidisciplinary care team uses to develop the initial treatment plan that aligns with the unique needs and goals of the client’s family. 

Match Clients and Providers

Next, we strategically match the client and their family with the right provider within our robust network. To do this, we consider several different factors such as the client’s medical history, age, language, services required, and number of expected treatment hours. We also consider the provider’s skill set, availability and location.  

Develop a Care Plan

Since one size doesn’t fit all, our multi-disciplinary team will then work with the provider to create a personalized care plan for the client. Our providers take a family-centered approach to care, empowering parents with choices to meet the unique needs of the entire family.  

Monitor and Track the Delivery of Care

To ensure that our clients achieve their goals, we continually monitor the delivery of care and refine the treatment plan as needed. We also closely track their progress. One of the ways we do that is by asking the client and their family to complete a Wellbeing Scale every six months. This 15-question self-assessment measures their quality of life and gives us a better understanding of how the treatment is going.  

Provide Ongoing Support

Throughout the care process, our clinical case managers support families every step of the way and serve as their primary point of contact. If families have insurance questions or need other resources or programs, our Care Coordinators are ready to help. We also offer various online tools and resources. 

Discharge Clients from Care

Once the client has successfully reached their treatment goals, which typically takes two or three years, we’ll put together a discharge timeline. Our goal is to help the client and their family smoothly transition out of our care, making sure all of their questions are answered and they have the information they need going forward.  

With the support of highly experienced behavioral healthcare professionals, your child can live a more independent, fulfilling life. And you can learn effective strategies and techniques to reduce stress and improve the overall wellbeing of your entire family.