You leave the developmental pediatrician's office with the report in your hand and the rest of life still happening. The diagnosis is real. The next year is full of decisions you have never made before. Here is the Las Vegas-specific playbook for the first 12 months — who to call, what to file, where the help actually is in Clark County.
Month 1 — Stabilize
You do not need to do everything. You need to do the next right thing. Three immediate calls:
- Nevada Early Intervention Services (if kid is under 3) or Clark County School District Child Find (if kid is 3+ and not yet evaluated through school). Both are no-cost evaluations. Both have wait times — get on the list now.
- Your insurance member services. Ask three questions: what is my autism benefit, what is the medical-necessity standard, what is the appeals process. Get it in writing.
- Nevada PEP (Parents Encouraging Parents) — Nevada's federally-funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free help with everything that follows. nvpep.org — sign up for their parent matching service today.
Month 2-3 — Build the team
Most Las Vegas autism families end up with 3-4 weekly providers. Build the list:
- Speech-language pathologist (SLP) — Touro University, UNLV Speech Clinic (sliding scale), private practices in Henderson and Summerlin
- Occupational therapist (OT) — sensory + daily living + regulation. Several Las Vegas providers do this well.
- Developmental pediatrician follow-up — book the next appointment at every visit, do not let the gap close
- Neurodiversity-affirming therapist — for kids 8+ or whenever needed. Filter heavily: ask "what is your position on ABA?" and "do you use identity-first language?" The wrong fit can do harm.
Month 3-6 — School / IEP
If your kid is in CCSD or about to enter:
- Request a full evaluation in writing — addressed to the school's psychologist. The school has 45 days under Nevada law to complete an evaluation once requested in writing.
- If you already have a developmental pediatrician report, the IEP process can use that as supporting documentation. The school still has to do their own evaluation but they cannot ignore yours.
- Bring a parent advocate to the first IEP meeting. Nevada PEP offers this free. Most families regret going alone.
Month 6-12 — The Nevada coverage map
Nevada's autism mandate is decent but has gaps. The map:
- Private insurance: the state mandates ABA + behavioral health coverage. Other therapies (OT, SLP) covered under standard rehab benefits. Full Nevada insurance guide here.
- Medicaid (Nevada Check Up): covers autism services for eligible kids through age 21 under EPSDT. Often the strongest coverage path if you qualify.
- Nevada Autism Treatment Assistance Program (ATAP): state-funded ABA assistance with sliding-scale eligibility. Las Vegas-based intake. Apply here. Worth doing even if you have private insurance.
What you do not have to do this year
The internet will tell you to start a thousand things. You do not have to. You do not have to start GFCF diet, supplements, listening therapy, vision therapy, equine therapy, or anything else. The evidence base for those is weak to nonexistent. Spend your first-year energy on the things with real outcomes: school accommodations, OT, SLP, and supporting your kid's nervous system. The rest can wait or skip entirely.
The Las Vegas community
You are not the first family. There are Las Vegas autism families ahead of you on this path. Autism Acceptance World community connects you with them. The first year is hard and gets easier when you are not navigating it alone.
— Cash