Frequently Asked Questions
Answers for families finding their way.
Finding Your Way
Begin building your roadmap.
Where should I start if I am concerned about my child's development?
Start with one step at a time. You do not need to learn everything about autism, education, services, school placement, scholarships, and community supports in a single week.
We recommend beginning with our Start Here page and returning to other sections of the website as questions arise.
My child was just diagnosed with autism. What should I do first?
Take a deep breath. You do not need to make every decision immediately. Start by learning about available services, connecting with your local school system when appropriate, and identifying the supports your child may need.
For a step-by-step guide, visit our Start Here page and our Just Received an Autism Diagnosis page.
My child is not yet in kindergarten. Can they still receive services?
Yes. Many children receive support before kindergarten through early intervention, Project Enlightenment, Child Find, preschool special education programs, private services, and community-based supports.
To understand how these systems work together, visit our Start Here page.
How do I know if my child needs an Individualized Education Program?
An Individualized Education Program is for children who qualify for special education services and need specialized instruction. A diagnosis alone does not automatically create eligibility.
Learn more on our Understanding Individualized Education Programs page.
School & Education
Choosing a school is really about fit.
Should I delay kindergarten?
Some families delay kindergarten to allow additional time for maturity, confidence, independence, self-control, or developmental growth. This decision is not limited to children with autism or developmental delays.
Learn more on our Transitioning to Kindergarten page.
How do I know if an inclusive classroom is right for my child?
Some children benefit from specialized settings. Others thrive in inclusive classrooms with typically developing peers. The right fit depends on your child’s strengths, support needs, communication, learning style, and ability to access the environment.
Learn more about placement options on our Educational Pathways page.
Can my child be academically advanced and still need support?
Yes. A child may be academically advanced while still needing support with communication, social interaction, transitions, emotional regulation, executive functioning, or classroom participation.
Visit our Therapy & Support Options page and our Understanding Individualized Education Programs page for more information.
What questions should I ask during school tours?
Ask what services are available, what a typical day looks like, how children are supported when they struggle, how inclusion works, how families receive updates, and whether you can speak with current families.
Also ask about staff training, sensory supports, recess, lunch, transitions, specials, safety, communication, and how the school supports children with different learning and developmental needs.
Visit our Private Autism & Learning Difference Schools page and our Educational Pathways page for additional guidance.
Should I consider private school for my child?
Private school is one of many educational options. Some children thrive in their neighborhood public school with appropriate supports, while others benefit from specialized private programs or other educational settings. The best choice depends on your child's strengths, support needs, learning style, and your family's priorities.
Learn more on our Private Autism & Learning Difference Schools page and our Educational Pathways page.
Does my child need to attend preschool before kindergarten?
Not necessarily. Some children benefit from a traditional preschool program, while others make greater progress in a center-based ABA program, early intervention services, specialized preschool, or a combination of supports before starting kindergarten.
The right setting depends on your child's developmental needs, communication, independence, and readiness for a group learning environment.
Learn more on our Private Autism & Learning Difference Schools page.
Can my child attend a private school if they have autism?
Yes. Some private schools are designed specifically for children with autism or learning differences, while others are traditional private schools that offer learning support programs. Each school has its own admissions process, educational approach, and student population.
Our Private Autism & Learning Difference Schools page provides an overview of schools in the Triangle region to help families begin their search.
How do I know whether a traditional preschool or ABA program is a better fit?
Some children are ready to learn in a preschool classroom, while others benefit from spending time building foundational communication, social, behavioral, and daily living skills in a center-based ABA program before transitioning to school. Every child develops at a different pace.
Learn more on our Private Autism & Learning Difference Schools page and our Therapy & Support Options page.
Are scholarships available for private schools?
Possibly. Some North Carolina private schools participate in programs such as the Opportunity Scholarship or the Education Savings Account (ESA+) Program. Eligibility requirements and participating schools can change from year to year.
Learn more on our Financial Assistance for Education page and our Private Autism & Learning Difference Schools page.
Evaluations
Ensure your child's evaluation reports lead to meaningful action.
What should I do with evaluation reports?
Keep copies of all reports and share them thoughtfully with school teams, therapists, medical providers, or others who support your child. Reports may be important during eligibility meetings, placement discussions, insurance authorizations, and transition planning.
Learn more on our Understanding Evaluations & Reports page.
Does my child need every recommendation listed in the evaluation report?
No. Evaluation reports often contain several recommendations, but families do not need to start everything immediately. Focus on the supports that address your child's greatest needs and fit your family's priorities, schedule, and resources.
For therapy-specific guidance, visit our Therapy & Support Options page.
How often should my child be reevaluated?
It depends on the purpose of the evaluation. Schools conduct reevaluations periodically, while private evaluations may be updated when new concerns arise, major changes occur, or updated information is needed for services or planning.
Learn more on our Understanding Evaluations & Reports page.
What if I disagree with an evaluation?
You can ask questions, request clarification, provide additional information, or seek another professional opinion when appropriate. If the evaluation affects school services, ask the school team to explain how the results were used.
For school-related evaluations and services, our Understanding Individualized Education Programs page may help you understand how evaluation results connect to school supports.
Therapy & Supports
Learn how different therapies can help.
Does my child need a diagnosis before starting therapy?
Not always. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, and parent coaching may be available based on developmental concerns, a pediatrician referral, school evaluation, or early intervention eligibility.
ABA therapy often requires an autism diagnosis for insurance authorization. If you are still trying to understand the evaluation process, visit How Do I Get an Autism Diagnosis?.
Which therapy should we start with first?
Start with the area causing the biggest daily challenge. If communication is the biggest issue, ask about speech therapy. If sensory needs, dressing, feeding readiness, or daily routines are hardest, ask about occupational therapy. If movement or balance is the concern, ask about physical therapy. If safety, behavior, or learning routines are the concern, ask about ABA or parent coaching.
For a quick comparison, visit our Therapy & Support Options page.
Can my child receive more than one type of therapy?
Yes. Many children receive a combination of supports. For example, a child may receive speech therapy, occupational therapy, school-based services, and parent coaching at the same time.
Different therapies often address different needs and can work together to support the whole child.
Are school services and private therapy the same thing?
No. School-based services are designed to help a child access and participate in education. Private therapies may address broader developmental, medical, communication, feeding, behavioral, or daily living needs.
Depending on eligibility and need, some children receive both. For school-based supports, visit Understanding IEPs.
How do I pay for therapy?
Start by checking insurance coverage, referral requirements, prior authorization, copays, deductibles, visit limits, and in-network providers. Also ask about Medicaid, waiver options, school-based services, sliding-scale clinics, university clinics, and nonprofit supports.
Learn more on our Financial Considerations page.
What if we cannot do every therapy recommended?
That is common. Families have limits around time, transportation, cost, waitlists, and energy. You do not have to do everything at once.
Start with the support most connected to safety, communication, daily routines, or the area creating the most stress at home, school, or child care. Recommendations can be revisited over time.
Kindergarten Readiness
Readiness is more than knowing letters and numbers.
Is my child ready for kindergarten?
Rather than focusing primarily on academic skills, consider whether your child can participate successfully in a traditional classroom with appropriate supports. This includes navigating daily routines, transitioning between activities, participating in group instruction, communicating needs, developing independence, and managing emotions throughout the school day.
Read more on our Transitioning to Kindergarten page.
What is redshirting?
Redshirting means delaying kindergarten entry by one year even though a child is age-eligible. Families may consider it for maturity, confidence, self-control, developmental growth, or readiness for a full school day.
Visit our Transitioning to Kindergarten page.
How can I prepare my child over the summer?
Use summer to practice routines, transitions, group activities, listening, following directions, independence, and structured learning. School-readiness camps, inclusive programs, tutoring, individualized instruction, and some ABA programs may help.
We discuss preparation strategies on our Transitioning to Kindergarten page.
Who should I ask for feedback about a child's readiness for kindergarten?
Ask current preschool teachers, therapists and service providers, and staff from the intended elementary school when possible. The goal is to understand your child across settings, not to rely on one opinion.
Learn more on our Transitioning to Kindergarten page.
Are there preschools specifically for children with autism?
Yes. In addition to traditional and inclusive preschool programs, the Triangle has specialized preschool programs designed for children with autism and other developmental differences. These programs may provide smaller class sizes, individualized instruction, and staff with experience supporting children with diverse learning and developmental needs.
Learn more on our Private Autism (Pre)Schools in the Triangle page.
What is ABA, and can it help prepare my child for kindergarten?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based approach that helps children develop practical skills such as communication, social interaction, play, daily living, and independence. Some children receive ABA for a few hours each week, while others attend a center-based ABA program that provides structured, full-day support.
For some children, a center-based ABA program can be an effective way to build foundational skills and increase readiness before transitioning to preschool or kindergarten. Every child is different, and the best setting depends on their individual strengths and support needs.
Learn more on our Therapy & Support Options page.
Are there elementary schools specifically for children with autism?
Yes. While many children with autism attend their neighborhood public school and benefit from supports and services provided through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the Triangle also has specialized private elementary schools designed for children with autism or learning differences. These schools vary in the ages they serve, educational approach, and admissions requirements.
Learn more on our Private Autism (Pre)Schools in the Triangle page.
Recreation & Community
Find activities, resources, and connections for your family.
Where can I find more resources?
No single website, group, or organization has every answer. These links are starting points for families looking for more opportunities to learn, connect, and find support.
Local & State
Autism Society of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program The Arc of North Carolina Disability Rights North Carolina Exceptional Children's Assistance CenterNational
Autism Society of America Autism Science Foundation Organization for Autism Research Understood.org Council of Parent Attorneys and AdvocatesParent Communities
Facebook groups can help families learn about schools, camps, providers, events, and local experiences.
Search for groups focused on Wake County, Raleigh-area autism families, North Carolina autism parents, special-needs parenting, or your child's school community.
You may also find our Caregiver Toolkit page helpful.
How do I find other families?
Parent groups, local autism organizations, school communities, church communities, recreation programs, and family events can all help you build connections.
Visit our Recreation & Social Opportunities page to learn more.
Can my child participate in sports, camps, and extracurricular activities?
Absolutely. Children with developmental delays and autism participate in sports, music, camps, adaptive recreation, scouting, church programs, and many other community activities.
Visit our Recreation & Social Opportunities page for ideas.
Financial Assistance
Funding can make more options possible.
What is the Education Savings Account Plus Program?
The Education Savings Account Plus Program provides scholarship funding for eligible North Carolina students with disabilities.
Learn more on our Financial Assistance for Education page.
What is the Opportunity Scholarship?
The Opportunity Scholarship Program helps eligible North Carolina families pay tuition at participating private schools.
Learn more on our Financial Assistance for Education page.
Can my child qualify for both?
Some families may be eligible for more than one program, but rules and funding requirements can change. Review official state guidance before making financial or school-placement decisions.
Visit our Financial Assistance for Education page.
Will insurance cover autism evaluations or therapies?
Coverage depends on your plan, provider network, diagnosis, referral requirements, and whether prior authorization is needed. Families should call insurance before scheduling expensive evaluations or starting therapy.
For therapy-related cost questions, visit Financial Considerations.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds for autism-related expenses?
Some medical, therapy, and evaluation expenses may be eligible, but families should confirm with their plan administrator and keep receipts, invoices, prescriptions, and documentation.
What is the NC Innovations Waiver?
The NC Innovations Waiver is a Medicaid waiver program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There may be long waitlists, so families often ask about eligibility early.
Learn more on our Financial Considerations page.
Should I apply for Medicaid or waiver services if my child already has private insurance?
It may still be worth asking about eligibility. Some families use private insurance and also explore Medicaid, waiver services, or other programs to help with long-term support needs.
What records should I keep for insurance, HSA, FSA, or waiver-related expenses?
Keep evaluation reports, therapy prescriptions, referral letters, invoices, receipts, explanation of benefits, prior authorization letters, denial letters, and provider recommendations.
Still Have Questions?
For more information, visit our Start Here page. It was designed to help families understand available programs, services, educational options, and supports during the early years, so you can move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
