Every question, one page each

16 questions, each on its own page, in the words a parent would type.

Just starting out

My child was just diagnosed. What's the first thing I should do?Ask the school district for an evaluation, in writing, today.
Do I need a diagnosis before I can get any services?No. You can ask for an evaluation without one.
Does the evaluation cost me anything?No. An evaluation by the school district is free to you.
How do I actually ask? Do I call someone?Put it in writing. A verbal request to a teacher is not a referral.

Can my autistic child go to a regular school?Yes — and under federal law that's the starting point, not the exception.
Will my child be sent to District 75?Not automatically. An autism classification by itself does not mean District 75.
Do I have to sign the IEP at the meeting?You can ask for time to read it before you agree to anything.
Can I bring someone with me to the meeting?Yes. You can bring anyone you want — a friend, a relative, an advocate.
What happens when my child turns 5?Preschool services hand off to school-age services, and it is the most common place families lose ground.

Do I have to pay for any of this?Not for anything written on the IEP. That is the district's obligation, not a favor.
Will my insurance cover therapy?Many New York plans must — but it depends on one thing most parents have never been asked.
Do I earn too much to qualify for state help?Probably not. For a child living at home seeking HCBS Waiver enrollment, parental income is not counted.
The IEP says speech twice a week and it isn't happening.Ask about an RSA before you start paying for it yourself.

English isn't my first language. Can I get help?Yes. An interpreter at meetings and a translated IEP are both rights, on request.

Nobody is calling me back. What do I do?Put your request in writing again, keep the date, and then call a free advocate.
I disagree with what the school decided.You have real options — an independent evaluation, mediation, or an impartial hearing.