You are not alone in this. Millions of families across the US are navigating the same questions — how to get a diagnosis, what services are available, how to advocate at school, and how to support their child day to day.
Start here.
Before your first appointment, write things down.
Use the free checklists below to:
notice patterns you might miss in the moment
clearly explain your concerns
avoid being rushed or dismissed
Bring them with you — it helps professionals understand your child much faster.
Checklists:
Developmental Milestones
If you’re unsure what’s typical for your child’s age, start here:
🧩 Autism
National resources, early support, and parent guidance
First Step
Start with your pediatrician. Share your observations and ask about a developmental screening or referral to a specialist.
If your child is under 3, you can contact your state’s Early Intervention (EI) program directly — you do not need to wait for a diagnosis to get started.
Helpful Resources
CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early
Developmental milestone guidance and tools to help track your child’s development, including information on Early Intervention services.
Autism Society of America
Offers local support, services, and parent connections across the US, including chapters in many communities.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Provides resources and perspectives from autistic individuals, helping families better understand long-term support and advocacy.
Autism Navigator
Free video-based tools showing real children in everyday situations, helping parents recognize early signs and learn practical strategies.
Reddit — Parent Community
A place where parents share real experiences, challenges, and practical strategies. Helpful for seeing what daily life actually looks like and learning from others in similar situations.
Helpful Tip — Autism
Don’t wait to get help.
Under age 3:
Contact your state’s Early Intervention (EI) program.
Services are often free or low-cost and may be provided in your home.Age 3 and up:
Your local school district must evaluate your child for free (IDEA law) and provide support if eligible.
You do not need a private diagnosis to request help.
⚡ ADHD
National resources, support, and parent guidance
First Step
Start with your pediatrician or a qualified mental health professional (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist). Share observations from both home and school — input from teachers can be especially helpful.
Ask about a comprehensive evaluation, not just a brief screening.
If your child is school-age, you can also request a free evaluation through your school district under IDEA. This request should be made in writing.
Helpful Resources
CHADD
Provides education, support groups, and practical resources for families navigating ADHD.
ADDitude Magazine
Offers articles, expert webinars, and practical strategies for managing ADHD at home and at school.
Understood.org
A nonprofit offering expert-reviewed articles, tools, and support for families navigating ADHD and learning differences.
CDC — ADHD
Provides general information on ADHD, including diagnosis, treatment, and behavior therapy.
Wrightslaw
Helps parents understand their child’s rights at school, including 504 Plans, IEPs, and how to advocate effectively.
Reddit — ADHD Community
A large, active community where people share real-life experiences with ADHD, including school challenges, routines, and daily strategies.
Helpful Tip — ADHD
If your child has ADHD, they may qualify for support at school through a 504 Plan or an IEP (Individualized Education Program). Both are free if your child is eligible.
If you have concerns, you can request a formal evaluation from your school in writing. Keeping records and understanding your rights can make the process much smoother.
📖 Dyslexia
National resources, reading support, and parent guidance
Talk to your child’s teacher and pediatrician about your concerns. You can request a free evaluation through your school district — this should be done in writing and kept for your records.
A school psychologist or educational specialist can assess reading and learning needs. Early support can make a meaningful difference.
Helpful Resources
International Dyslexia Association
Provides information, fact sheets, and directories to help families find structured literacy support and qualified professionals.
Decoding Dyslexia
A parent-led network with chapters across many states focused on awareness and improving support in schools.
Reading Rockets
Offers research-based reading strategies, videos, and practical guidance for supporting struggling readers at home.
Learning Ally
Provides human-read audiobooks and tools for children with reading difficulties, along with resources for families and educators.
Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
Offers research-based insights and practical resources on dyslexia, including strengths-based perspectives and school strategies.
Reddit — Dyslexia Community
A mix of parents, educators, and individuals with dyslexia sharing experiences, tools, and school-related advice.
Helpful Tip — Dyslexia
If your child is struggling with reading, you can request a formal evaluation from your school in writing.
Structured literacy approaches (such as Orton-Gillingham–based instruction) are widely used and supported by research for children with dyslexia. Early support can make a significant difference.
📍 Finding Help Near You
Knowing where to start locally can make a big difference. These options are available in most areas across the US:
Pediatrician
Your child’s doctor is often the first step. They can provide screenings, referrals, and help guide you toward local specialists.
Early Intervention (Under Age 3)
If your child is under 3, you can contact your state’s Early Intervention (EI) program directly — no diagnosis is required to get started.
Find your state’s program: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/early-intervention/contact-information-by-state.html
School District (Free Evaluations)
From age 3 and up, you can request a free evaluation through your local public school district if you have concerns about your child’s development, learning, or behavior.
This request should be made in writing, and the school is required to respond and evaluate if appropriate under IDEA.
Specialists
Depending on your concerns, you may be referred to:
child psychologists
developmental pediatricians
speech or occupational therapists
Your pediatrician or school can help guide these referrals.
Local Parent Support
Connecting with other parents can help you find trusted local providers, therapists, and school recommendations.
Check local chapters through the Autism Society of America or parent communities like Reddit.
Other Learning and Development Areas
Some children’s challenges don’t fit neatly into one category. You may also notice patterns related to:
Dysgraphia (writing difficulties)
Dyscalculia (math difficulties)
Executive functioning challenges
Sensory processing differences
These often overlap with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.
If you’re unsure where your child fits, start with the checklists — over time, patterns often become clearer.
Practical Support at Home and School
Alongside professional services, structured and hands-on support can make a real difference in your child’s daily progress.
Some children benefit from learning that is broken into smaller steps, uses clear and more visual structure, and allows for repetition and movement.
The Densing Method was created with this in mind — supporting children who struggle with attention, processing, or traditional teaching approaches by making learning more visual, structured, and predictable.
Learn More & Next Steps
If you’d like more guidance and support, you can continue here:
Disclaimer
This page provides general information only and is not medical, legal, or educational advice.
Resources and services may vary by state and can change over time. Always consult a qualified professional for concerns about your child’s development, learning, or behavior.