1. If child is under 3, get into Indiana First Step program at 1-800-441-STEP Website: www.in.gov/fssa/first_step/.
   
   
2. Contact your local school to secure any and all special education services to which you are entitled. These services start before kindergarten at age 3.
   
   
3. If your child has more needs than can be met by the school, ask about extended school year (schooling during the summer) and about applying for special wraparound funding (secures extra help at home and in community) through the Department of Education. Be insistent. Must apply through your local school.
   
   
4. Enroll your child for all three Medicaid waivers (currently there are waiting lists). These provide a variety of services in your home or in the community to help your child with autism (Website: www.in.gov/fssa/servicedisabl/waivers.html). For general questions about Medicaid waivers contact your local Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) office-part of FSSA. For general information, contact T.G. Williams at FSSA-317-233-9525. Local BDDS contact information: www.in.gov/fssa/servicedisabl/field/index.html.
   
   a. " DD waiver. Administered both by CICOA and BDDS. To enroll: Indianapolis: CICOA area 8: 254-5465 or 800-489-9550; BDDS area 5: 254-2065. Once selected for services, contact for initial budgets--Dawn Leanhart 317-234-0330, contact for updates and annual renewals-- Francis Sanford 317-232-7093
   
   b. " Autism waiver. Administered by FSSA. To enroll, use contact numbers above. Contact for waiting list status, budgets, and renewals: Lynn Jump - 317-232-7126.
   
   c. " Support Services Waiver. Lower cap Medicaid waiver. To enroll, use numbers above. FSSA state coordinator: Linda Church 317-232-4644
   
   
5. Obtain respite help thru local ARC of Indiana chapter. Coordinated thru the local ARCs, many of which provide direct care services. Sliding fee depending on income ($9/hour Max). For Noble, ARC of Indianapolis, contact Diane Gann: 254-6623. (Website: www.arcind.org/local_arc_of_indiana_chapters.html)
   
   
6. If you are desperate, apply for Family Subsidy. Can be used to help pay for services like respite. Contact your local BDDS offices.
   
   
7. Plan ahead for day care and summer needs. For example, School aftercare programs (e.g., Loving Care, Lawrence schools after school and summer program), Camp Gather (Indy parks summer camp--- Frieda Williams: fwilliams@indygov.org, 317-327-7418), Camp Awareness (autism camp-contact Sue Hansen: smhansen1@comcast.net, 317-823-1431), Kid's Crossing in Indianapolis (day care through Crossroads of Indiana for children with disabilities - 317-479-3231)
   
   
8. Join a support group. For more info, go to Autism of Indiana website: www.autismindiana.org/home.html. For Central Indiana Chapter of Autism Society. Contact: President Suzanne Flanders - 317-291-6272 (Website: centralindianaautism.netfirms.com)
   
   
9. Check with WCEC social services (502) 852-5333. They can offer assistance in identifying and securing resources in the Kentuckiana region.
   
   
10. If you plan to leave your child any financial assets, consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable in estate planning. Your local autism support or ARC can help.

Adapted from John McGrew (2004).