crucial first steps when your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder:

Here are the most important first steps for parents:

• Register your child for the Ontario Autism Program (see link below)
• Give a copy of your child’s diagnosis letter to their school. The school will be able to request additional support from their school board’s Autism Team
• Ask the clinician who diagnosed your child to complete the Medical Practitioner’s section of the Disability Tax Credit (Form T2201) – see link below. Be aware that most clinicians charge a fee for completion of this form, and many will ask you to provide input for the questions they are asked to answer. Therefore, contact the clinician’s office to ask about their process for completion of the form, before you start working on it.
• Refer to Autism Ontario’s “New Diagnosis Resources” for additional helpful information and guidance – see link below

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