💙Just Diagnosed? A Guide for Arizona Parents Starting the Autism Journey
Finding out your child has autism can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. This step-by-step guide is written for Arizona families just starting the journey. From understanding the diagnosis to finding local support and therapy options, we’re here to walk with you, one step at a time.
Quick Guide and Download
Step 1: Breathe — You’re Not Alone
Step 2: Understand the Diagnosis
Step 3: Learn About Arizona Services
Step 4: Build Your Village
Step 5: Start Therapy that Fits Your Child
Step 6: Take Care of Yourself, Too
📄 Downloadable Checklists
👋 Work With Us
🌱 Step 1: Breathe — You’re Not Alone
Many parents feel pressure to figure everything out immediately. But the truth is—this is a journey, not a sprint. Start by focusing on small, manageable steps. The resources below can help you begin.
Step 2: Understand the Diagnosis — What Autism Is (and Isn’t)
Getting an autism diagnosis can come with a flood of questions and emotions. It’s natural to feel uncertain, but understanding what autism really means is an empowering step forward.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world. It isn’t caused by parenting or trauma. And it’s not something that needs to be “fixed.”
Some children may need support in sensory processing, speech, or learning daily routines, while others may have strong interests, advanced memory, or unique ways of connecting with others. Every autistic child is different — and every one deserves to be seen for who they are, not just their diagnosis.
Autism is not a tragedy. It’s a different way of experiencing the world. When we understand and support that difference, children can thrive in ways that are meaningful to them.
Step 3: Learn About Your Rights and Options in Arizona
The Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is a state program that assists eligible children with developmental disabilities in accessing services such as therapy, support coordination, and respite care to support their growth and meet their daily needs.
The Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) provides in-home support and therapy services for infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or disabilities to help them reach important milestones.
AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) is Arizona’s Medicaid program, which helps eligible families access free or low-cost healthcare, including services such as doctor visits, therapy, and prescriptions.
ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System), a part of DES/DDD, provides long-term care services and support—like home-based therapies, respite, and habilitation—for children and adults with developmental disabilities who need a high level of care and qualify financially.
Step 4: Build a Village — Support Groups and Resources
You don’t have to do this alone—and you shouldn’t. Surrounding yourself with people who understand your journey can bring comfort, guidance, and strength. Whether it’s through parent support groups, workshops, online forums, or one-on-one coaching, connecting with others who truly get it can make the challenges feel lighter and the wins even more meaningful. Your village becomes your lifeline, your sounding board, and a place to celebrate progress, no matter how big or small.
Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of children with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or special needs by providing free services such as parent-to-parent mentoring, educational workshops, support groups, and advocacy training to help families navigate and thrive.
Raising Special Kids is an Arizona nonprofit that provides free support, training, and resources to families of children with disabilities or special health care needs (from birth to age 26), helping them navigate education, healthcare, and community systems so they can advocate confidently for their child’s well-being
The Autism Society of Greater Phoenix is a nonprofit that supports individuals and families in the autism community by offering resources, support groups, educational workshops, and events to help them connect, learn, and thrive at every stage of life.
Step 5: Start Therapy that Fits Your Child
Pure Hearts Therapy offers family-centered services designed to support your child’s growth in ways that are playful, meaningful, and grounded in compassion:
Helps children develop the skills needed for daily life—from fine motor coordination and self-care to sensory processing.
Supports your child’s ability to communicate—whether through spoken words, gestures, or augmentative tools
Improves strength, balance, and coordination - to support mobility, safety, and confidence in daily movement.
👨👩👧 Parent Coaching
Personalized guidance to support your child at home —offering tools, perspective, and encouragement along the way.
Step 6: Take Care of Yourself, Too
Being a parent or caregiver of a child with special needs is a full-time role, and it’s easy to put your own needs last. But here's the truth: You matter too. And when you care for yourself, you're in a better place to support your child.
Self-care doesn’t have to mean spa days or long vacations (though those are nice!). It can be as simple as:
Going for a walk
Taking 10 minutes to breathe before bed
Calling a friend who gets it
Joining a parent support group
Scheduling your own therapy or coaching sessions
At Pure Hearts Therapy, we believe that supporting the whole family is just as important as supporting the child. That’s why we offer parent coaching and can connect you with additional resources in the community to make sure you’re not carrying this alone.
🧾 Free Download: Caregiver Self-Care Checklist
We created a simple, printable checklist to help you take small, meaningful steps to care for yourself emotionally, physically, and socially—because a supported parent is a powerful one.
💡 Download now and start with just one thing this week.
💡 Remember: A thriving child starts with a supported parent.
Want support with any of these steps?
At Pure Hearts Therapy, we help families like yours every day. Whether you’re looking for occupational, speech, or physical therapy—or just someone to listen—we’re here for you.
✅ Neurodiversity-affirming care
✅ Parent coaching and education
✅ In-home and telehealth services available
Download this checklist + Schedule a Free Consultation Today
Because when support is personal, families thrive—and hearts heal.
