Infant/Toddler (Birth to 3)
What Should My Child Be Doing? Learn about milestones and early signs of autism
At each age, children are expected to have certain skills in different areas of development, such as motor (crawling, walking), communication (using words), social (smiling, imitating), and/or play (imitation, pretend). Knowing what your child should be doing at each stage of development can help you determine if your child needs help. It can also help you identify goals for your child and what kind of help your child may need.
What Services Might My Child/Family Want or Need?
A child’s services should fit with the child’s age and goals as well as the family’s values and needs. A child who is not yet talking may need services to help them communicate, such as speech therapy, or an autism-specific intervention. A child who has difficulty walking may need physical therapy and a child who has difficulty sleeping or eating may need help from a pediatrician. See below for descriptions of services and targeted areas for this age group.
A speech therapist works on speech and communication delays, practices early play skills, and may work on swallowing/eating problems. See below to find speech therapists in your area.
To find a speech therapist in your area, enter “speech” under keyword search and your zipcode under location.
Autism Society of NC Resource Directory
Autism Speaks Resource Guide (enter your State and your child’s age)
The Children’s Developmental Service Agency (CDSA) provides services to children under the age of 3 years. Speech therapy is one of the services that this agency provides. Learn about the CDSA and how to refer your child for CDSA services:
Many different autism interventions have been shown through research to be effective in helping children improve social skills, communication, and play. For young children, most interventions include working with parents (such as parent coaching), are play-based, and can be done during daily home routines. These are often called naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBI) and are a type of applied behavior analysis (ABA).
Overview of evidence-based practices
Video on choosing an evidence-based practice
Videos on evidence-based practices
The Autism Society of America has a list of interventions and also provides questions to ask to determine which intervention or provider may be best for you and your child:
Find an autism provider in your area by entering “aba” or “TEACCH” under keyword search and your zipcode under location.
Autism Society of NC Resource Directory
Autism Speaks Resource Guide (enter your state and your child’s age)
Physical Therapists work on motor issues like posture, toe-walking, and walking and running skills.
Find a physical therapist in your area by entering “physical therapist” under keyword search and your zipcode under location.
Autism Society of NC Resource Directory
Autism Speaks Resource Guide (enter your state and your child’s age.
The Children’s Developmental Service Agency (CDSA) provides services to children under the age of 3 years. Physical therapy is one of the services that this agency provides.
Occupational therapists work on sensory issues such as tolerating sound, touch, smell, and taste problems. They also work on fine motor skills like drawing and using their hands. They also work on feeding issues and help with learning self-help skills.
Find an occupational therapist in your area by entering “occupational therapist” under keyword search and your zipcode under location.
Autism Society of NC Resource Directory
Autism Speaks Resource Guide and enter your State and your child’s age.
The Children’s Developmental Service Agency (CDSA) provides services to children under the age of 3 years. Occupational therapy is one of the services that this agency provides.
Care navigators, care coordinators or referral specialists help families find available services and resources to meet the needs of their child and family. Autism service agencies, such as TEACCH and the Autism Society of North Carolina, offer resources and referral support to families living in North Carolina. In addition, health plans may offer care coordination services. Information on Medicaid-managed care can be found below. You may also want to contact your health plan to determine if they offer care coordination services.
The Autism Society of North Carolina has referral specialists. Connect with a referral specialist with the Autism Society of North Carolina and complete the form:
Autism Resource and Referral Specialists
The UNC TEACCH Program has resource and referral specialists as well. To talk with a Resource and Referral Specialist at TEACCH, call your local TEACCH Center.
Find your local Autism Resource and Referral Specialists at TEACCH
The tailored plan through Medicaid Managed Care will also offer care navigation.
Parents may be interested in getting support and information from other parents. Support groups are often a good way to connect with other parents and to learn about available services and resources.
Autism Support Groups - Autism Support Services
There are also support groups specifically designed for Black Families in North Carolina:
The Family Support Network connects parents with other parents to offer guidance and support:
For directories that list support groups and parent support in North Carolina:
Work Together NC - Find Services
Find parent support in your area by entering parent support under keyword search and your zipcode under location.
Autism Society of NC Resource Directory
Autism Speaks Resource Guide (enter your state and your child’s age)
Where Can Services be Delivered?
Services can be delivered in different locations. Some service providers may come to a family’s home or a daycare, some may work in a clinic and the child may need to travel to get services. Telehealth is another way services can be provided if the health plan will cover this option. While telehealth may not seem like it could work for a child, often the provider is working with the parent, particularly for young children. They may watch the child and parent play and offer suggestions for the parent to try with the child, working towards the child’s goals. Find service providers in your area and remember to ask about the possible locations.
The Children’s Developmental Service Agency (CDSA) provides services to children under the age of 3 years.
Find your local CDSA contact Refer your child for CDSA servicesFind services in your area by entering the type of service you are looking for under keyword search and your zipcode under location.
Autism Speaks Resource Guide (enter your state and your child’s age) Autism Society of NC Resource DirectoryFind the Smart Start in your area – Smart Start is a program that offers services for children from birth to 5 years with the goal of getting them ready for kindergarten. They address social/emotional, developmental, and health needs.
Smart Start in your CommunityWhat Agencies Provide Services in My Area?
Different services are available in different areas. Some services are available statewide, through certain agencies. Services may vary based on the age of the child or location.
Search for providers in your area Autism Speaks Resource Guide (enter your state and your child’s age)
How do I Pay for Services?
There are different ways to pay for services. Some programs are publicly funded, and the family does not need to pay, such as services through the Children’s Developmental Services Agencies (CDSA). Health plans or health insurance often fund part or all of the cost of certain services. Although it may be expensive, families may also have the option to pay for the service themselves. If a family is not able to pay for a service, there may be grants available to help cover the cost.
The CDSA is a publicly funded program that provides free early intervention services for children with special needs from birth to 3 years of age.
Learn MoreChildren with a developmental delay or disability are often eligible for free school services starting at three years old.
For more information about special education preschool services click here:Make a referral for special education servicesFind preschool coordinator in your NC school districtThe Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center has a lot of information about special education services.
Information about special education servicesSome families with a child with autism or developmental delays may be eligible for Social Security Income (SSI). In addition to having a documented developmental disability, there are income requirements.
SSI websiteSSI and additional funding resourcesThe Innovations Waiver is designed to provide funding to support a child with disabilities in the community. Eligibility is based on an individual having a developmental disability and their level of need, it is not based on income. While your child may not need this as a toddler, there is a long waitlist and applying early is recommended. In addition, it may open the door for other services and support.
Innovations Waiver and How to apply Innovations Waiver and how to apply Guide by ASNC.Families apply for Innovations waiver through their Managed Care Organization (MCO).
Find your MCO/LME:First in Families has fourteen regional chapters across North Carolina and helps families get what they need to participate in their community.
Autism Care Today is a national program that provides grant funding of up to $5000 to families. They directly provide funding to the identified treatment providers to cover the cost of services.
What Community Programs May Be Helpful?
Families may be looking for programs that will provide social opportunities, childcare or support motor skills. These may include community programs like daycares, mommy and me programs, recreational programs, or churches. Some programs may be listed in your local family guides or parks and recreation department websites. Make sure to check for words like inclusive or individualized and ask about accommodations made for children with special needs.
Find daycares in your area Find recreational programs in your areaMany museums, aquariums, and parks in North Carolina have sensory-friendly days.
Sensory-friendly events and placesWhat Can I Do While I Wait?
An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn More Than Words: Helping Parents Promote Communication and Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Check your local chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina for local support groups FACES is a support group specifically designed for Black Families to navigate services for their child with autism
Family Support Network of North Carolina offers peer support by pairing caregivers with lived experience of caring for a loved one with a disability or special healthcare needs
Family Support Network of NCThe Color of Autism offers virtual support groups and trainings.
The Color of AutismBFAST is a UNC TEACCH Autism Program project in collaboration with the Autism Society of NC and the Frank
Porter Graham Child Development Institute made possible through funding from the C Felix Harvey Foundation
