My son was diagnosed with autism. When he got his diagnosis, nobody handed us a manual. Just paperwork: so much paperwork. And a lot of waiting. In waiting rooms, on waiting lists, waiting for answers nobody seemed to have. I'm an engineer, so when the system failed my son, I did what engineers do: I read the documentation. So I started taking notes. I asked questions. I learned what actually works, what's worth fighting for, and what the bureaucracy doesn't want to tell you. Here's what I found.
The Road Map: the route Roy's family actually drove
Fun fact: the paperwork from my son's first two years of diagnosis weighs more than he did at birth.
Other Resources
- Qualify for Benefits: SSI, SSDI, and waivers by the numbers
- By State: State-specific programs and contact info
- Glossary: Jargon decoded
- About: Who I am and why I wrote this