You're probably overwhelmed right now, and that's completely normal. This section is designed to walk you through your very first steps — no jargon, no complicated forms, just what you need to know right now as a California family.
You just received a diagnosis. You might feel overwhelmed, relieved, scared, or all of the above. This 30-day checklist breaks down your next steps into manageable pieces—because every family needs breathing room before action.
Read Guide →Your child just received an autism diagnosis and you feel like the ground has shifted beneath you. This guide walks California parents through the first steps — from Regional Centers and therapy options to insurance rights and emotional support — at a pace that honors where you are right now.
Read Guide →IEP and IFSP are two plans that help children with disabilities get the services they need in California. Learn which one applies to your child, how they differ, and what happens during the transition at age 3.
Read Guide →The grief that shows up after a child's disability diagnosis is real, recurring, and rarely discussed. Here is what it looks like, when to get help, and where to find free support in California.
Read Guide →Wondering whether to get a second opinion on your child's diagnosis? Here is how to do it in California using insurance you already have, plus when a second opinion actually helps.
Read Guide →Telling family and friends about your child's diagnosis is its own kind of work. Here's how to handle the conversations, the comments, and the people who just don't get it.
Read Guide →Call your Regional Center for a free evaluation, or reach Early Start for children under 3.