Below you will find the answers to our most commonly received questions and inquiries, as well as some of our most frequently recommended resources. If you have a question that is not answered below, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)
We do not offer Autism evaluations at the IRCA. However, here are some resources to help you find a qualified provider in Indiana for an Autism diagnosis:
Please Note the Following:
- Limited Providers: You may need to travel due to the limited number of providers.
- Long Wait Times: Anticipate long wait times for an appointment.
- Keep Appointments: It is crucial to keep your appointments. Missing it could prevent you from receiving services from that provider in the future.
Resources for Obtaining a Diagnosis:
- Contact the Special Education Department at your child's school
- FINDER
- Indiana Psychological Association
- Indiana University School of Education Learning and Developmental Evaluation Clinic (ages 2 to 18 years)
- Autism Speaks "Adult Autism Diagnosis Toolkit"
While IRCA occasionally provides in-person training and professional development opportunities, we do not offer in-person direct services at our Center. However, IRCA provides a wide variety of:
- Training and Professional Development opportunities
- Programming
- Resources
These are available to support you. Please subscribe to our newsletter for the latest information and updates on our offerings.
We do not. The IRCA is not a funding agency and cannot assist with procuring funds for treatment or services. However, here are some resources that may help you seek financial assistance:
- Apply for a Medicaid Waiver
- Our website has several articles regarding navigating financial resources: https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/resources/financial.html
- Roadmap to Services
- Websites like GoFundMe can help raise funds for medical expenses.
- Local community centers and religious organizations often have programs to assist with medical costs.
- Review your health insurance policy for coverage options and speak with your provider about financial assistance programs they may offer.
The staff of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) engage in a range of activities that impact:
- Individuals with Autism: Across all ages and the entire Autism spectrum.
- Family Members: Providing support and resources.
- Professionals: Assisting those who serve individuals with Autism.
What we DO:
- Organize and conduct training and professional development opportunities
- Engage in applied research
- Develop and distribute an E-newsletter
- Assist in maintaining a library collection of relevant materials for public distribution
- Maintain an active presence on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
- Create and maintain a robust offering of digital resources, including articles, videos, visual supports, and more
- Support the efforts of families and family groups. Contact us to be added to our parent listserv!
- Support students at Indiana University via training opportunities for IU students and the Students on the Spectrum (S.O.S) Club
- Organize and continually work with a network of autism leaders across Indiana to support their efforts as an extension of team training
- Offer school support services to educators and professionals through programming and training opportunities
- Perhaps the activity that keeps us the busiest is responding to the numerous emails and calls requesting assistance, guidance, and resources related to programming and service options. Every year, IRCA staff answer hundreds of requests for information about topics that range from behavior to insurance coverage. As Indiana’s statewide and state-mandated autism center, IRCA is committed to responding with accurate and timely information that addresses the needs of individuals across the autism spectrum and across the lifespan. If you have a question that is not covered in our F.A.Q, please contact us!
While we engage in many activities, there are many activities outside our work scope. However, we can refer families, professionals, and other interested individuals to programs that provide services that IRCA does not provide.
What we DO NOT do:
- Provide direct services
- Attend case conferences as advocates
- Lobby or influence policy within the legal framework
- Provide financial support
As a Center serving the benefit of all Autistic Hoosiers, we remain neutral on matters that do not support all Hoosiers.
For children aged 3 to 18, we recommend contacting your child’s school district’s special education department. They may consider providing a school evaluation to determine if an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan could benefit your child’s education. Please note that a medical diagnosis does not automatically mean the district will accept it. In most cases, schools will conduct their own evaluation to determine if a child’s disability affects their ability to learn.
We recommend starting with the resources below.
- After the Diagnosis (for families whose child is newly diagnosed)
- After the Diagnosis for Adolescents and Adults
- Roadmap to Services
- Introducing Your Child to Their Diagnosis of Autism
- Apply for a Medicaid Waiver (see next tab for more information on Medicaid waivers and how to apply)
If you are eligible, the Medicaid Waiver Program can offer financial assistance for home and community-based services. Understanding eligibility and potential support services can be helpful in planning for future needs. Note that the current wait time is about two years, so do not wait to apply!
- Description of the Different Indiana Waivers
- Family Support Waiver Information
- Community Integration and Habilitation Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Information
- Additional Information About Medicaid Waivers
FINDER
FINDER is an online disability resource database for providers in Indiana who assist individuals with disabilities. You can filter by ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), location, provider type, and more.
Tips:
- Remove previous filters before starting a new search to avoid limiting future searches.
- Use the chat feature if you need assistance.
Indiana Psychological Association
The Indiana Psychological Association also has a search feature on their website, where you can filter by providers who work with individuals with ASD.
For IU Students: Accessible Educational Services (AES)
Accessible Educational Services (AES) is at Indiana University dedicated to ensuring that students with qualifying medical conditions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have the tools, support services, and resources that allow equal access and reasonable accessibility measures (accommodations) to be successful at Indiana University Bloomington.
Selecting the appropriate school setting for your Autistic child should be focused on their unique needs and abilities. In public schools, if your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, the educational setting will be determined collectively by a case conference committee, where you are an equal partner with the school. Here are some options to consider:
General Education Classroom
Some Autistic children thrive in an inclusive setting with neurotypical peers, especially with appropriate support like a 1-to-1 aide or specific adaptations.
Resource Classroom
This setting provides additional support while allowing the child to spend part of their day in a general education classroom.
Special Education Classroom
Tailored specifically for children with special needs, these classrooms offer a more structured environment with specialized teaching methods.
Autistic-Only Setting
These schools or classrooms are designed exclusively for Autistic children, focusing on their specific educational and developmental needs.
Homeschooling
For some families, homeschooling provides the flexibility to tailor the educational experience to the child's pace and interests.
Consider factors like sensory challenges, social skills, and emotional regulation when making your decision. Consulting with educational professionals and visiting potential schools can also help you find the best fit for your child.
We provide a list of Autism Society chapters and additional support groups throughout Indiana for parents and family members of children and adults on the Autism spectrum. You may also want to search for a support group on the AANE (Asperger/Autism Network)
Here are some resources to assist you in transitioning from grade school to college and adult life.
Center on Community Living and Careers
The Center on Community Living and Careers provides tools, training, technical assistance and resources to support teachers, students, and families who are learning about the transition process. The Center assists them in making connections in their communities to services and supports they will need in high school and beyond.
Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center
As a project of the Center on Community Living and Careers, the INSTRC provides trainings, leadership opportunities, and resources to support teachers and, ultimately, students with disabilities as they transition from school to their adult lives, working and participating in their communities, jobs, and/or postsecondary education.
Career Roadmap for Students on the Spectrum
This step-by-step action guides helps prepare students on the Autism spectrum for career success.
Articles for Adults on the Spectrum
This page lists articles found under the category "Adult" and topics include aging, skills for future, lifestyle planning, and vocational rehabilitation.
Recommended Resources
For those with disabilities and their families, trying to navigate a complex web of services, programs, and other disability-related community resources can be daunting. FINDER provides 24/7 access to community services, is easy to use, and supports first-time users with a step-by-step guide. For more experienced users, it has advanced search features. Regardless of how information is located, search results are immediately available and can be saved for future use and shared.
The Library at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Hoosiers with disabilities, their families, and those who work with and for them need access to disability-related information and resources. The Library at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community strives to be the primary disability library for residents of the state of Indiana by providing access to appropriate, quality materials and services. They offer more than 6,000 books, kits, and DVDs about disabilities across the lifespan that are available to borrow by anyone in Indiana. Regardless of where you live, they will lend their materials to you through the mail or to help answer your disability-related questions.
IRCA Video Collections and Short Clips
Our collection of videos and short clips are categorized by topic and designed for families, school staff and those supporting individuals on the autism spectrum. All videos are closed-captioned.
IRCA Visual Supports
Our collection of visual supports provides examples of strategies that can be used to support students on the Autism spectrum and others who might struggle in school. These visuals and strategies can be used in various settings and families may also find many of these resources helpful for their family members at home. The collection includes supports for both children and adults.
IN*SOURCE
IN*SOURCE exists to help parents of children with disabilities navigate the complicated special education process in the state of Indiana. They help bridge the gap between schools and parents and strive to connect the dots that become the individual path to success for children with disabilities.
The Arc of Indiana
The Arc of Indiana works to empower families with information and resources to assist them in their journey of raising a child with a disability to lead a full and meaningful life, and to empower people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to be self sufficient and independent to the greatest extent possible.
First Steps
First Steps is Indiana's early intervention program that provides services to infants and toddlers from birth to third birthday who have developmental delays or disabilities. First Steps brings families together with a local network of professionals from education, health and social service agencies.
Indiana University School of Education Learning and Developmental Evaluation Clinic
The Learning and Developmental Evaluation Clinic (LDEC) provides autism and related neurodevelopmental disability evaluations, including ADHD, intellectual developmental disorder, learning disabilities, as well as evaluations for behavioral and psychosocial concerns.