Parents Navigating A New Autism Diagnosis

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child recently diagnosed with autism? If so, you may feel overwhelmed and alone. But you're not.

Our upcoming presentation, "Parents Navigating a New Autism Diagnosis," is designed to provide you with the information and support you need to help your child thrive.

This presentation will cover topics such as:

• Understanding broad spectrum of autism in early childhood
• Advocating for your child's needs effectively
• Understanding different evaluations/assessments and how to obtain them
• Accessing services that are family focused and Neurodiversity-Affirming 
• Coping with the challenges of information overload 

You'll also have the opportunity to meet other parents and caregivers who are going through similar experiences. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from parents who are a little further in their journey sharing their experiences.

Matthew Tookey is a father and professional with a 7-year-old daughter who presents with level 2 ASD. Mr. Tookey will share his experiences navigating the diagnosis process and finding the appropriate services to support his daughter's development at home, school, and within the community.

David Motes is a father and professional. He has a 7-year-old child who is gifted in mathematics but experienced language and cognitive delays during early childhood. Mr. Motes provides pragmatic guidance to parents on balancing developmental services and resources for twice-exceptional children.

Robin Buttacavoli is an autistic parent and the daughter of a neurodivergent father. She has three neurodivergent children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. Her daughter received her diagnosis in June 2024, and her son was diagnosed in October of the same year. Ms. Buttacavoli has practical advice for effectively navigating the early stages of the journey.