Ten Steps to Get Started with TACA
All contents of this resource were created for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, therapist, or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have.
At TACA, our mission is to provide education, support, and hope to families living with autism. Our vision is for every individual diagnosed with autism to lead an independent life.
We know that best outcomes occur when kids diagnosed with autism get both intensive therapies and treatment for co-existing medical issues.
Therapies are embraced by mainstream doctors. However, parents get more pushback when trying to get medical testing and bloodwork for their kids diagnosed with autism. This happens because regular doctors are not trained on how to treat autism medically. For this reason, this is an area where parents need to become educated on the research. TACA is here to help you.
Follow these 10 steps to get started!
Step 1
Get the TACA Workbook
TACA has compiled all information into a Workbook.
Learn about the TACA Autism Workbook here.
Step 2
Cover all your bases
Learn the difference between an educational and medical diagnosis, how to get a state disability waiver, how to prepare for safety issues, and more in this article below:
This TACA article discusses topics for a parent of a newly diagnosed child.
Step 3
Get Support
Join the TACA – Hope & Help for Autism Facebook Group. This is a moderated group for parents or legal guardians of individuals diagnosed with autism. Ask your autism questions here!
Go to a Virtual TACA Support Meeting
Attend the TACA National Conference
Step 4
Enroll your child in therapy
This TACA article discusses therapies for autism:
Make sure your child has a form of communication. Learn more here:
Step 5
Learn about co-existing medical issues in autism
It is difficult for kids to succeed in therapy if they are uncomfortable, in pain, or cannot focus.
These TACA articles discuss the link between autism and underlying medical issues:
To get started, please see this free TACA download:
Step 6
Find a doctor and make an appointment
Learn how to find a doctor here:
Functional medicine doctors can be extremely helpful, but they can be expensive.
Join the TACA Facebook group to access a list of parent-recommended functional medicine doctors.
If a functional medicine doctor is not in the budget right now, skip this step and learn how to use your child’s pediatrician and pediatric specialists to help you. See the steps in the information below.
Step 7
Implement a healing diet
Diet is the foundation of all healing. You can implement this while you wait to see your doctor.
Learn about that here:
- Introduction to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free, Soy-Free Diet
- Top Reasons to Implement a GFCF Diet
- Going GFCFSF in 10 Weeks!
- Special Diets for Autism
- Picky Eating and Autism
Step 8
Get basic lab testing
This TACA article contains a list of lab tests that can be ordered by your child’s pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, or neurologist.
This article also tells you exactly what to look for in test results.
This is a free list in downloadable form:
Make sure to get a copy of all lab results!
Step 9
Get a treatment plan from your doctor
If you don’t have access to a functional medicine doctor, you will have to educate your child’s doctor on medical issues and bring research to appointments.
Learn about Types of Doctors below:
The TACA articles have research linked. Simply click and print.
Learn about common medical issues in autism here:
Step 10
Learn how to save money!
Autism is expensive. Read the article below to learn all the tricks and tips to save money.
More Resources:
The TACA website has numerous resources. Find them here:
