1

Families with Autism Helping Families with Autism

TACA’s AUTISM JOURNEY BLUEPRINTS©

A visual foundation of best practices for your child

This booklet contains TACA’s unique visual reference tools to help give you
an overview of each process to guide you on the autism journey. We call
these flow charts the TACA “AUTISM JOURNEY BLUE PRINTS” for every
topic parents will face on their journey.

These step-by-step processes will help you to determine appropriate

interventions and timelines for taking action in the realms of medical and
dietary intervention, education, finances and home life. These flow charts
will provide a visual foundation of best practices for your child, and the work
families need to follow whether new to the journey, veterans, and everyone
anywhere in between.

Autism Journey Blueprints© are a copyright of Talk About Curing Autism

(TACA). Please do not copy, reproduce or distribute without the express
written consent of TACA.
 2 Au rney Blueprint©
A visual founda on of best prac es for your child

Autism Journey
Year One

Call ABA Find a

Ruling-out
(Applied DOCTOR for
Formal medical tests:
Behavioral Start the Encourage the long term!
assessment genetic Remove
Analysis) Gluten Free/ proper Perform
and diagnosis: disorders like: allergens (from
providers and Casein Free/ sulphation with baseline
neurologist, Fragile X and diet and
get on wait Soy Free nightly Epsom medical tests
behaviorist, Rett Syndrome. environment)
list. Implement (GFCFSF) Diet salt baths and necessary
speech & OT Perform MRI &
intensive 1:1 medical
24 hour EEG.
program. treatments.

Remove
Begin Omega
Get support & Investigate & Test for and See an additives,
supplements Start basic
information!! try the “Bs” – treat YEAST audiologist for preservatives ,
like Cod Liver supplemen-
Attend regular B6, B12, TMG (Go low-sugar a complete and dyes from
Oil, or tation and
TACA or other or DMG, and low- hearing all foods. Go
Flaxseed Meal, probiotics.
meetings. SuperNuThera carbohydrates) evaluation. organic and
etc.
clean diet.

Evaluate Start Social Hire a special

It is all in the Educate Understand
Glutathione! – skills education
POOPS: deal yourself about health
try oral, topical Consider development – attorney or
with the the potential insurance
then IV – with chelation with structured advocate.
constipation or risks of coverage and
your doctor's play dates at Learn your
diarrhea vaccination. reimbursement
help! home legal rights!

Further refine
Remove toxins Help your child
diet: remove Keep your
On to Year Fathers are from water, obtain 8-10
phenols, marriage &
Two! important too! bedding, hours a sleep
salicylates & family intact.
clothes, etc. each night.
corn

This document is a “sample” checklist to consider in planning intervention for a

child affected by autism. Please note, the order and action items will vary by child.

This is only a sample. Please consult with your child’s development and medical
team for what is appropriate for their individual needs.
© 2011 Talk About Curing Autism
 3 Au rney Blueprint©
A visual founda on of best prac es for your child

Autism Journey
Year Two

Continue
Perform annual
Evaluate all social skills
medical tests: Get an
Perform annual medical and Get involved in efforts with Keep learning
Compreh. Immune
assessments: traditional state & federal age-appropriate your child’s
Stool test, assessment
behaviorist, therapy legislation activities. legal rights and
RBC, Toxic consider oral
speech & OT options for efforts. Consider get educated.
metals and IG, or IVIG
their efficacy. social skills
allergy panel
videos.

Refine
Consider a
supplements:
If your child is Continue rotation diet to
Continue take
6 or older, receiving prevent future
education: supplement Consider
consider respite and allergies. Or
MAPS vacations. Listening
CAPD support! Keep other diets
Conferences Change therapies
evaluation by your marriage SCD, BED if
and others brands of
an audiologist. & family intact. GFCFSF is not
supplements
enough.
as needed

Autism Journey
Year Three

Refine
Perform
Get involved in supplements:
annual medical Evaluate all Evaluate
Perform state and Continue take
tests: medical and alternative
annual federal social skills for supplement
Compreh. traditional therapies:
assessments: legislation advanced vacations.
Stool test, therapy HBOT,
behaviorist, efforts – get needs with Change
RBC, Toxic options for neurofeedback
speech & OT family local providers. brands of
metals and their efficacy. etc.
involved. supplements
allergy panel
as needed

LAST
RESORT: Continue
Continue,
Consider Keep your education:
review and test
pharmacology marriage & MAPS
other chelation
when medical family intact. Conferences
protocols.
efforts are not and others
progressing.
This document is a “sample” checklist to consider in planning
intervention for a child affected by autism. Please note, the
order and action items will vary by child.

This is only a sample. Please consult with your child’s

development and medical team for what is appropriate for
their individual needs.
© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism
4 A sm Journey Blueprint©
A visual founda on of best prac ces for your child

Dietary Intervention

GFCFSF Supplements
Allergies Remove Basic
Run IgG and IgE Toxins
Basics Don’t forget
food allergy Nitrates, MSG,
START Remove all calcium.
blood tests. Aspartame,
Gluten, Casein 600-1200mg
Remove HFCS, fluoride,
and Soy per day
offenders. arsenic

Yeast
Learn what
yeast looks like,
what causes it.

Remove Phenols and Go Organic

9 is Fine! Food Carb Junkie
Other Toxins Salicylates
Aluminum, Learn what they
Remove colors Labels Learn what
and Learn how to carbs are, adjust
chlorine, BPA, are, watch for
preserva read food labels diet
water
Join a CSA.

Cooking and
Storage
Remove Teflon,
aluminum, and
plas cs

$$ Costs $$
On-A-Budget, GFCFSF not The End
cook from
scratch, buy and enough?
Maybe…
cook in bulk

SCD-CF LOD BED

Redo Allergy Research Low carb,
tests first. oxalates and run cultured foods,
Remember 24-hour urine fats and
supplements. oxalate test. probio cs.

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

5
Dietary Intervention _____________________________

1. Basics – Remove gluten, casein and soy _____________________________

a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resouces/going-
_____________________________
gfcfsf-in-10-weeks/
2. Supplements
_____________________________
a. Calcium – you MUST give calcium when
removing dairy _____________________________
i. 600-1200mg per day is the RDA
1. Available in powder, pills, _____________________________
chewables and liquid
b. Multivitamins _____________________________
c. Specialty supplements like B6, Magnesium, P5P,
TMG, EFA’s etc. _____________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/
ideas-to-help-your-child-take-supplements/ _____________________________
3. Allergies - IgG and IgE food allergy tests, rotation diet
_____________________________
4. Toxins - MSG, aspartame, nitrates, arsenic, fluoride,
aspartame, HFCS (high fructose corn syrup).
_____________________________
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/
toxins-in-foods-the-environment/ _____________________________
b. http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/
c. http://www.iatg.org (Arsenic in chicken and rice _____________________________
and rice milk.)
5. Yeast and carbohydrates _____________________________
a. Keeping the diet as low sugar as possible is
important. _____________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/
what-is-yeast-overgrowth/ _____________________________
b. Recheck your diet, don’t supplant calories.
_____________________________
c. Don’t create a carb junkie.
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/ _____________________________
what-are-carbohydrates/
6. Learn to read food packaging labels _____________________________
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/how
-to-read-food-labels/ _____________________________
7. Go Organic
a. Join a local organic CSA at _____________________________
http://www.localharvest.org/csa
b. http://www.organic.org/home/faq _____________________________
8. Research Phenols/Salicylates – learn what they are and
what reactions they give _____________________________
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/phenols
_____________________________
-salicylates-additives/

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

6
9. Remove more toxins _____________________________
a. Test water and filter.
b. Avoid aluminum in food packaging like juice, _____________________________
milk sub or broth boxes and cookware.
_____________________________
c. Replace Teflon and aluminum pans with
Stainless steel and cast iron.
_____________________________
d. Replace plastic with glass.
e. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/living _____________________________
-in-a-toxic-world/
10. Costs – Diet on a Budget http://www.tacanow.org/family _____________________________
-resources/gfcfsf-diet-on-a-budget/
a. Special diet foods can be deducted on taxes _____________________________
b. Schools can provide special diet meals
i. If you qualify, reduced- or free lunch and _____________________________
breakfast programs
_____________________________
c. GFCFSF on Food Stamps
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/ _____________________________
gfcfsf-diet-on-food-stamps/
d. Cook whole foods from scratch, it will save you a _____________________________
ton of money
11. Other Diets _____________________________
a. SCD-CF – Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Casein-free
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/ _____________________________
specific-carbohydrate-diet-scd/
b. LOD – Low Oxalate Diet _____________________________
i. http://www.lowoxalate.info
c. BED – Body Ecology Diet _____________________________
i. http://www.bodyecology.com/autism.php
_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

7 Au rney Blueprint©
A visual founda on of best prac es for your child

Medical Interventions

Autism Baseline Neurological/ Get a MAPS Advanced

Genetic testing GFCFSF Diet
Diagnosis testing Seizures Doctor testing

MTHFR, Fragile X, CDSA, lipids, Get a referral from glutathione, CDSA,

Rett Syndrome, Amino Acids, IgG other parents. TNFa, C-Reactive
Autism, Aspergers, Non-sedated 24- Remove all gluten, Protein, purine,
Wilson’s Disease, and IgE food and Learn about billing
PDD, PDD-NOS hour EEG, MRI casein and soy. porphryins,
mitochondrial environmental insurance before
dysfunction, allergies, OAT, you go. pterins, endocrine,
Chiari1, PON1 but Comprehensive autoimmune, ASO
only if insurance Metabolic Panel, titers, Anti DNAse
pays. CBC, RBC, zinc, antibodies, copper/
25-Hydroxy Vit D, zinc ratio,
blood and urine oxidative stress,
Immune panel, methylation,
hearing, celiac, metabolic
thyroid panel diseases, myelin
basic protein,
viral titers,
testosterone,
ammonia, oxalates

Co-morbid Recurring
Repeat Testing Heavy Metals Toxins Supplements Gastro
issues Yeast
PICA - mineral Test for lead, Test with CDSA, Multivitamins, Symptoms:
Reduce exposure
deficiency testing mercury, arsenic, behavioral, minerals, zinc, Undigested food,
to arsenic, lead,
Hearing cadmium, bismuth, medical symptoms antioxidants, D3, chronic or
CDSA, IgG food, cadmium,
sensitivity - nickel, tin, thallium sulfation, B6, alternating
CMP, CBC, RBC. organophosphate
bacterial and Treat with low- magnesium, EFA, diarrhea and/or
Have your reg pesticides,
mineral levels, Test with blood, sugar diet, amino acids, constipation,
doctor order these tobacco, fluoride,
Berard AIT, urine, urinary probiotics, glutathione, B12, posturing, bloated
under insurance! ammonia, BPA,
noiseblocker porphryin colostrum, calcium, immune belly.
chlorine, mercury.
headphones medications boosters, TMG/
MRI every 3 years Check your water,
Sleep – test for Treat with DMSA, (diflucan, nizoral, DMG, antifungals, Testing:
for comparison. personal care
reflux, diet, check EDTA, DMPS, GSH; nystatin), GSE, probiotics, colonoscopy,
products, food and
bacteria, give oral, transdermal, caprylic acid, enzymes, GABA, endoscopy,
bedding.
melatonin IV. garlic, oregano oil melatonin pillcam, CDSA

Relaxation and Functional

Other What is it?
Fitness Medicine
If you get
Exercise is crucial
pregnant again Regression is a
for ASD children.
follow the safety normal part of the FM is personalized
Adapted Yoga,
guidelines – diet, healing process. medicine that
running/walking,
no acetaminophen Some kids lose a deals with primary
gym exercise,
no vaccines, for skill while gaining prevention and
sensory input, Tai
you and the baby. other bigger skills. underlying causes
Chi, and use the
Keeping a journal instead of
Nintendo Wii for
Get your child’s will help find out symptoms for
coordination and
gut in the BEST what went wrong. serious chronic
muscle tone. Get
shape you can More testing may disease.
them moving
BEFORE puberty be needed.
everyday!
starts.

This document is a “sample” checklist to consider in planning intervention for a child

affected by autism. Please note, the order and action items will vary by child.

This is only a sample. Please consult with your child’s development and medical
team for what is appropriate for their individual needs.
© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism
8

Medical Track Tests and Treatments _____________________________

_____________________________
1. Autism Diagnosis (Autism, Asperger’s, PDD)
2. Genetic testing - MTHFR, Fragile X, Rett Syndrome, _____________________________
Wilson’s Disease, mitochondrial dysfunction/disease,
PON1, Chiari 1, but ONLY if insurance covered, _____________________________
otherwise delay these.
3. Read this Beginner’s guide to Biomedical Treatment _____________________________
http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/beginner-
biomedical-treatment-for-autism-spectrum-disorder/ _____________________________
4. Baseline testing – CDSA, IgG and IgE food and
environmental allergies, Comprehensive Metabolic _____________________________
Panel, CBC, RBC, zinc, 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D, blood
_____________________________
and urine Amino Acids, OAT, Immune panel, viral
panel, hearing, lipids, celiac, thyroid panel. _____________________________
a. These tests are all standard and should be
ordered by your regular pediatrician and _____________________________
insurance-covered, but don’t bill them under
autism _____________________________
b. If you are unsuccessful with your pediatrician,
you can have these tests run by a MAPS doctor _____________________________
5. Neurological/Seizures– EEG, MRI
a. Non-medicated 24 hour EEG, _____________________________
Rule out seizures,
Landau–Kleffner syndrome. _____________________________
i. If seizures found, medications (beware
_____________________________
seizure meds as they affect folic acid
metabolism). _____________________________
ii. Further testing with QEEG, MEG, PET,
SPECT scan. _____________________________
b. MRI - to be repeated every 3 years for
comparison. _____________________________
6. Diet – GFCFSF, SCD-CF, LOD, Feingold, BED…
7. Get a MAPS Doctor - get referrals from parents. _____________________________
8. Advanced testing – glutathione, CDSA, TNFa, C-
Reactive Protein, porphryins, pterins, endocrine, _____________________________
purine, autoimmune, ASO titers, Anti DNAse
antibodies, copper/zinc ratio, oxidative stress, _____________________________
methylation, metabolic, myelin basic protein, vaccine
_____________________________
viral titers, testosterone, ammonia, oxalates.
a. Methylation – B12, TMG/DMG, Folic/Folinic, _____________________________
Glutathione

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

9

b. Immune, virals – colostrum, oral _____________________________

immunoglobulin, IVIG, ACTOS, Low-dose
naltrexone, Valtrex. Titres, strep, lyme disease _____________________________
9. Vaccines – reactions, boosters, titers, exemptions,
_____________________________
doctors, schools, alternative schedules
10. Anti-inflammatories – Ibuprofen; Celebrex; Actos;
_____________________________
Curcumin; IVIG, Subq or oral IgG; HBOT; Bethanecol;
GABA; Theanine; Iodine. _____________________________
11. Gastro issues – maldisgestion, malabsorption,
allergies, colitis, chron’s, autistic enterocolitis. _____________________________
a. Testing - colonoscopy, endoscopy, pillcam,
CDSA _____________________________
b. Treatments - GI cleanout, sulfur-based gut
meds, reflux meds, probiotics, Oxypowder, _____________________________
dietary change, antibacterials, antifungals,
antibiotics, antiparasitic (Vermox), HBOT. _____________________________
c. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/
_____________________________
the-poop-page/
12. Supplements – Multivitamins, sulfation, B6, _____________________________
Magnesium, EFA, amino acids, glutathione, B12,
minerals, antifungals, Probiotics, Enzymes . Be wary _____________________________
of B vitamins and DMG/TMG if child has yeast.
13. Recurring yeast – Test for yeast with CDSA, _____________________________
behavioral, medical symptoms.
a. Treat with low-sugar diet, probiotics, _____________________________
colostrums, medications (diflucan, nizoral,
nystatin), GSE, caprylic acid, garlic, oregano oil _____________________________
b. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/what
-is-yeast-overgrowth/ _____________________________
14. Toxins – arsenic, cadmium, organophosphate
_____________________________
pesticides, tobacco, fluoride, ammonia, BPA, lead,
chlorine _____________________________
a. HBOT, sauna, GI cleanout for detox
b. Taurine for chlorine _____________________________
15. Heavy Metals – lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium,
bismuth, nickel, tin, thallium. _____________________________
a. Tests – blood, urine, urinary porphryin.
b. Treatments – DMSA, EDTA, DMPS, GSH; oral, _____________________________
transdermal, IV.
c. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/ _____________________________
detoxification-glutathione-autism/
d. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/ _____________________________
vaccines-chelation-autism/
_____________________________
16. Repeat testing – CDSA, IgG food, CMP, CBC, RBC.
17. Co-morbid disorders – PICA, hearing sensitivity, sleep
issues

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

10

a. PICA – vitamin and mineral deficiency _____________________________

testing
b. Hearing sensitivity – bacterial and _____________________________
mineral levels, Berard AIT, noiseblocker
_____________________________
headphones
b. Sleep – test for reflux, diet, check bacteria, give
_____________________________
melatonin
18. Other – another pregnancy, puberty _____________________________
a. Follow safety guidelines for another pregnancy:
diet, no acetaminophen or vaccines for both. _____________________________
b. Get the gut in shape BEFORE puberty!
19. When something isn’t right. _____________________________
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/
when-something-isnt-right/ _____________________________
b. Know that treatment can mean “2-steps
forward, 1-step back” sometimes. _____________________________
c. Regression is a normal part of the healing
_____________________________
process. Some kids lose a skill while gaining
other bigger skills. _____________________________
i. Keeping a journal will help find out what
went wrong. More testing may be _____________________________
needed.
20. Relaxation and Fitness - Yoga, exercise, sensory input, _____________________________
Tai Chi, Wii for coordination and muscle tone.
21. Functional medicine - FM is personalized medicine that _____________________________
deals with primary prevention and underlying causes
instead of symptoms for serious chronic disease. _____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

11 Living in a Toxic World Au sm Journey Blueprint©
A visual founda on of or your child
Artificial colors,
Food preservatives,
No pesticides, pesticides,
aluminum, MSG, nitrates, sulfites,
mercury, colors, aspartame or other
nitrates, arsenic, artificial
preservatives sweeteners, MSG
Ingested

WHAT TO AVOID

Fluoridated water,
Water toothpaste,
No fluoride, BPA, mouthwash;
lead, rocketfuel, plastic bottles,
pH, PCB, PCPs, plastic-lined
parasites, arsenic bottles

Brand names: Butyl acetate,

Personal Teflon, Butylated
StainMaster, hydroxytoluene,
Care ScotchGuard, Cocamide DEA/
Sunscreen, Silverstone. lauramide DEA,
makeup, lotion, Anything Diazolidinyl urea,
medications, “nonstick” or Ethyl acetate,
shampoo, soaps, antibacterial Formaldehyde,
antiperspirant (triclosan). Parabens (methyl,
ethyl, propyl and
Clothes & Ingredients like: butyl), Coal tar,
Personal Use

Bedding hydroquinone; Oxybenzone

No fire retardants, WHAT TO AVOID ethylene dioxide; (Benzophenone-
GoreTex, light-up 1,4-dioxane; 3), Micronized
sneakers, foam fluoride; Titanium Dioxide,
mattresses formaldehyde; Nano Titanium
nitrosamines; Dioxide, Nano Zinc
PAHs; acrylamide; Oxide, Petrolatum,
Paper oxybenone, Phthalates,
aluminum, and Propylene glycol,
Products ingredients that Sodium laureth/
Diapers, baby include the sodium laurel
wipes, tampons, clauses "PEG," sulfate, Talc,
toilet paper, paper "xynol", "oleth" Toluene,
towels, and"ceteareth" Triethanolamine

Avoid nonstick Chlorinated

pans, don’t cook in
Household the microwave,
phenols found in
toilet cleaners.
Cleaners avoid aluminum- Diethylene glycol
All-purpose lined (juice, milk found in window
cleaners, laundry sub, broth) boxes, cleaners.
detergent, avoid plastic-lined Phenols found in
dishwashing soap cans (they are disinfectants.
white inside). Nonylphenol
Cooking & PFC
ethoxylate found in
laundry detergents
Storage (Perfluorinated
Household

and all-purpose
No Teflon, plastic compounds) and cleaners.
WHAT TO AVOID
or aluminum. PFOA Formaldehyde
Cook in cast iron (Perfluorooctanoic found in spray and
or stainless steel. acid) in teflon, wick deodorizers.
Store in glass. stain resistants, Petroleum
popcorn; solvents in floor
Flooring Polybrominated cleaners.
Avoid Stainmaster diphenyl ethers Perchloroethylene
and Scotchguard. (PBDEs) used in in spot remover.
Use baking soda fire retardants, Butyl cellosolve,
and water to clean foam, plastic in common in all-
carpets. TVs and computer purpose, window
monitors and others.

Avoid products with "Warning", "Caution", or "Danger: labels (i.e., cleaning

products and pesticides). These labels are there because one or more of the
ingredients has the potential for causing serious harm or death.
© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism
12
Living in a Toxic World
_____________________________
1. Toxins - MSG, aspartame, nitrates, colors, preservatives,
arsenic, fluoride, acetaminophen, aluminum, chlorine, _____________________________
molds, Teflon, aspartame, HFCS, pesticides,
_____________________________
phenols/salicylates, lead, mercury, cadmium, BPA, water.
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/toxins
_____________________________
-in-foods-the-environment/
b. http://www.foodnews.org/ _____________________________
2. Go Organic – Not all “organic” is created equal.
a. “100% organic” - single ingredient such as a fruit, _____________________________
vegetable, meat, milk and cheese (excludes water
and salt). _____________________________
b. “Organic” - multiple ingredient foods which are 95 to
100% organic. _____________________________
c. “Made with organic ingredients” - 70% of the
ingredients are organic. Can appear on the front of _____________________________
package, naming the specific ingredients.
_____________________________
d. “Contains organic ingredients” - contains less than
70% organic ingredients.
_____________________________
e. ‘9 is fine’. On the produce PLU code, if the first
number is a 9, it’s organic. _____________________________
f. http://www.organic.org/home/faq
3. Pots and Pans _____________________________
a. stainless-steel, cast-iron and enameled cast-iron
cookware are best _____________________________
b. no Teflon or aluminum
i. http://www.ewg.org/node/21787 _____________________________
4. Household Cleaners and paper products
a. All-purpose cleaners, laundry detergent, dishwashing _____________________________
soap, diapers, baby wipes, tampons, recycled toilet
_____________________________
paper, tissues, and paper towels
i. Seventh Generation and Ecover available _____________________________
nationally
ii. No legal mandate for labeling or safety _____________________________
iii. Use HEPA air filters
iv. http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/six- _____________________________
household-chemicals-avoid
b. Prescriptions and Over the counter meds _____________________________
5. Personal Hygiene and medications
a. Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, _____________________________
soaps, bubble bath, sunscreen, make up
i. For sunscreen, look for zinc oxide or titanium _____________________________
dioxide, and avoid oxybenzone and
_____________________________

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

13
sunscreens with fragrance. Choose SPF 30 _____________________________
and higher that block UVA and UVB.
ii. Avoid aluminum in food packaging like juice _____________________________
or broth many body lotions and creams, most
_____________________________
cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners, soaps,
suntan lotions, lip balm.
_____________________________
6. Water
a. Plastic water bottles contain BPA and other toxins. _____________________________
Use unlined stainless bottles like Klean Kanteen.
b. Have your home water tested – check your county’s _____________________________
Cooperative Extension office for testing. Install
Reverse Osmosis and any other needed filters, either _____________________________
for the whole house or just for the faucet you drink
out of. _____________________________
7. Packaging
a. Plastics like food bags, plastic wrap, Tupperware _____________________________
should be avoided. Store food in glass.
_____________________________
8. Household items containing PFCs
a. Non-stick pans, carpeting, furniture, cosmetics, _____________________________
household cleaners, clothing, and packaged food
containers can all contain PFCs, many of which _____________________________
break down into PFOA in the environment or in the
human body. The brand names are well-known: _____________________________
Teflon, Stainmaster, Scotchgard, SilverStone, and
others. _____________________________
b. Mattresses with foam and fire-retardants give off
toxic gasses. _____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

 Au rney Blueprint©
14
A visual founda on of best prac es for your child

Educational

Child enters Child referred to IEP Meeting

school system Special Education Parent must Never go alone,
START via ChildFind, EI, department for receive evaluation always tape
The IEP Process RC, parent referral evaluations in ALL reports prior to IEP record, never sign
or regular areas of suspected meeting IEP at first
enrollment delay. meeting.

Disagree with
assessment? Seek
independent Discuss
evaluation. evaluations
Discuss your
child’s current
educational levels

Discuss what Placement Offer Create Discuss the

accommodations Services offers Goals before measurable goals developmentally
your child will need Based on goals, placement. Write only goals appropriate steps
to fully participate document level, Placements are to that are able to be to get your child
in the placement frequency, setting, be individualized measured, never from where he is
and services and duration of to your child’s vague. Who to where he should
agreed to. Put it in each service. needs, NOT their measures, how be compared to
writing! available programs and when? his peers.

Does the Goals drive

Communication placement offer placement and
Discuss and meet LRE? services. Make
document No? Reject offer. sure there is at
parent-staff Yes? On to least one for every
communication in services. area of need.
detail. Frequency,
data. Don’t settle
for “a good day”.

Follow Through
Have quarterly
Don’t agree with
reviews of your
placement or
Hire a lawyer or child’s progress on
services offers?
advocate the IEP goals. If
not meeting
Don’t sign IEP!
benchmarks, call a
new meeting.

Some schools will

buckle when you
threaten to file due
Consider private
process, some File Due Process
placement options
won’t. Be
prepared to go the
distance.

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

15 A sm Journey Blueprint©
A visual founda on of best prac ces for your child

Finance

Early Private School Regional

Intervention Health District Medicaid
(Part B) (Part C)
Centers Medwaivers
Ages 0-3 Insurance Ages 3-22
CA only

Read the TACA Medicaid will pay

Insurance booklet for Each RC can for medically
Does not require a complete details. determine what
Funding through necessary
diagnosis, just services they fund.
Dept of Ed. treatments like
delay. For evaluations and Generally, the RCs
treatments that would fund ABA, respite, doctors, dentists,
be considered Free to families. diapers, and day care vision,
Will bill private Standard of Care by the subsidy. Children prescriptions, lab
health insurance American Academy of
Pays for all with a “substantial” tests, OT, Speech,
and pick up any Pediatrics, use the
developmental
299.00 ICD-9 educational Behavioral, PT,
remaining fees. disability qualify for
Diagnostic Code. therapies, diapers but is
RC services.
interventions and income dependant.
Covers OT, PT, For evaluations and related services July 2009 cuts mean Waiver programs
ST and behavioral/ treatments that are
biomedical in nature, that are written no “non-medical” WAIVE the
developmental
use the diagnostic code into IEP. therapies or parent’s income so
interventions.
related to the specific educational services. that the disabled
medical condition. child qualifies.

Federal
Programs Other State Grants and Tax
Budget Tips
SSDI Funding Scholarships Deductions
Food Stamps/SNAP

There are many

ways to save There are more
All medical
You must qualify money on your than 25 national
Most every state appointment travel
for these programs journey. Read all grants, and many
has another and costs, all
on income and of our “Autism on more local grant
program for disability-related
disability. If you a Budget” series programs available
children with reading materials,
do qualify, you can articles and save for children with
disabilities. all therapists and
get up to $674 where you can, so ASD for various
Google search therapy
cash per month for that when you funding.
“developmental equipment, special
SSDI and up to must pay out of
disabilities diet foods, and
$585 a month (for pocket, you can Google search for
funding” and the much more, can
a family of 4) of afford it. “autism
name of your be deducted on
Food Stamps. www.tacanow.org/ scholarship” or
state. your taxes. Keep
family-resources/ “autism grant” and
all your receipts!
autism-on-a- your state.
budget-series/

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

16
Finance

1. Who Pays for What? _____________________________

a. http://www.tacanow.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/
03/who-pays-for-what-national.pdf _____________________________
2. Early Intervention – birth to age 3, full funding after billing
_____________________________
your private health insurance.
a. http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp
_____________________________
3. Private Health Insurance – never bill tests or treatments
under ‘299. Autism’. Bill under the symptoms being treated. _____________________________
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/health-
insurance-coverage-on-a-budget/ _____________________________
4. School District – ages 3-22, educational only, must be
written into IEP to get funding. _____________________________
5. SSDI, Food Stamps/SNAP – You must qualify for these
programs on income and disability. If you do qualify, you _____________________________
can get up to $674 cash per month from SSDI and up to
$585 a month (for a family of 4) of Food Stamps. _____________________________
a. www.ssa.gov 800-772-1213
_____________________________
b. www.fns.usda.gov/snap/
6. Medicaid/Medwaiver pays medical, hospital, dental,
_____________________________
behavioral, OT, PT and Speech, prescription, diapers,
vision, and copays. _____________________________
a. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidStWaivProgDemoP
GI/MWDL/list.asp _____________________________
7. Other state programs
a. Most every state has another program for children _____________________________
with disabilities. Google search “developmental
disabilities funding” and the name of your state. _____________________________
8. Tax deductions – all medical appointment travel and costs,
all disability-related reading materials, all therapists and _____________________________
therapy equipment, special diet foods, and much more, can
_____________________________
be deducted on your taxes. Keep all your receipts!
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/tax
_____________________________
-strategies-for-parents-of-kids-with-special-needs/
9. Grants and Scholarships _____________________________
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/autism
-grants/ _____________________________
b. Other funding
http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/autism _____________________________
-on-public-assistance/
9. Additional Links: _____________________________
a. American Academy of Pediatrics - Standards of Care:
_____________________________
http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/aap-
standards-of-care/
b. Diagnostic Codes: http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/billing-codes-that-work/

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

 A sm Journey Blueprint©
17
A visual founda on of best prac ces for your child

Home Life

Getting
Marriage Siblings Home Extended Family Divorce
Organized

Moms to Dads:
Prep them for
Get involved, Stay Build a Special
Make special time Physical safety, proper Use a journal to
involved. Needs Trust and
for other kids locks, fences expectations, how track progress
Acknowledge her wills
to relate
work, Listen.

For Dads:
Define roles, make Siblings should not Durable, easy to Get and scan all Plan for the worst,
Holidays, travel
a plan, realize men be raised to be clean furniture and documents before hope for the best.
and gatherings
act and react caregivers. décor. they are destroyed Put it all in writing.
differently

No ego parenting. Don’t expend all Get one credit

Decide who
Lead, follow or get resources on ASD Use non-toxic Gifts to go into card just for autism
decides -
out of the way. kid, leaving cleaners and Special Needs related purchases
educational and
Make time away nothing for furnishings Trust to help track and
medical
from autism. siblings. for taxes

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

18
Home Life _____________________________

1. Marriage – Keeping it together! _____________________________

a. Moms to Dads: Dads need to be involved, stay involved.
Let her vent. Acknowledge her work. _____________________________
b. For Dads: Define roles. Make a 2-year plan. Realize men
and women deal with things differently. _____________________________
c. For both: Give each other time away from autism,
teamwork, split the effort, talk and listen. No ego _____________________________
parenting.
2. Siblings – don’t forget the other kids _____________________________
a. Make special time just for them.
b. Don’t expend all resources on ASD child. _____________________________
c. Don’t raise siblings to be responsible for ASD kid.
3. Home environment – Decorating for autism _____________________________
a. Safety - Install double-sided deadbolts, window locks and
alarms, fence the yard, triple-secure the pool. _____________________________
b. In the home – check for mold, replace toxic cleaners,
carpets, bedding, pots and bottles. _____________________________
c. Decorating – replace fragile items with durable furniture
and window coverings. Use nontoxic paint. _____________________________
4. Extended family
a. Prepare them for proper expectations and how to interact _____________________________
with your child.
b. Holidays, travel and special events may need to be _____________________________
adjusted to suit your child.
c. All monetary gifts should go to a Special Needs Trust for _____________________________
your ASD child.
5. Getting organized, tracking child’s progress _____________________________
a. Use a journal to track your child’s progress and new
treatments. _____________________________
b. Scan all documents and burn to CD when starting new
practitioner _____________________________
i. Get an auto-document feeder attachment for your
scanner _____________________________
ii. Get copies of all past doctor and therapist visits
before they are destroyed _____________________________
c. Get one credit card just for autism-related purchases to
help track spending and easy tax submittal. _____________________________
6. Divorce – if all else fails.
a. Build a Special Needs Trust and wills for both parents. _____________________________
Funnel all insurance into it.
b. Hope for the best, plan for the worst. Get it all in writing. _____________________________
c. Decide who decides
i. Educational and Medical decision making is key. _____________________________
Get it in writing.
d. http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/divorce-advice _____________________________
-for-special-needs-families/
_____________________________

© 2012 Talk About Curing Autism

Teens and Adults ______________________________

1. Transition IEPs
a. By age 16 (14 in some states), all children with ______________________________
an IEP must have a Transition IEP to address
skills, jobs, college and their future life plans.
b. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/teens-with-asd-transition-ieps/
2. Adolescents require different tests than younger
children. ______________________________
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-with-asd-testing/
3. The GFCFSF Diet and Biomedical treatments work ______________________________
regardless of age but starting them with a teen can
present different challenges.
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/teens-with-asd-biomed-older-child/
b. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-with-asd-gfcfsf-diet/ ______________________________
4. Keep your child active and engaged with
extracurricular activities.
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/teens-with-asd-extracurricular-
activities/
5. Social Skills and Life Skills must be taught to teens ______________________________
with ASD.
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-with-asd-social-skills/ ______________________________
b. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-with-asd-life-skills/
c. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/developing-lifeskills-how-to-teach-a-
skill/
d. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/teens-with-asd-self-advocacy/
e. Volunteering and Chores are a great way to
teach skills. ______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/volunteering-opportunities-
for-people-with-asd/ ______________________________
f. Safety is also a key skill that must be
addressed with teens.
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/teens-with-asd-safety/

6. Puberty can bring many changes to a child and ______________________________

family. Anxiety, hormonal and body changes,
aggression, self-esteem, self-advocacy, sexuality and
______________________________
seizures are all common issues in puberty.
 ______________________________
a. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-with-asd-puberty/
b. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/dealing-with-aggression-in-asd/
c. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/anxiety-in-autism-spectrum-
disorders/
7. College and Employment ______________________________
a. There are many college programs available for
kids with ASD allowing for appropriate
accommodations ______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-with-asd-college/
ii. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/get-your-asd-kid-into-college/
iii. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/college-programs-funding/ ______________________________
b. Vocational Rehabilitation is a national program
to help test, train and pay for college and
supported employment. ______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/vocational-rehabilitation/
8. Other ______________________________
a. Siblings cannot be forgotten and can be very
beneficial in teen years.
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/teens-with-asd-siblings/
b. Driving evaluations and lessons can make or
break this step in independence. ______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-with-asd-driving/
c. There are many books on and for Teens & ______________________________
Adults with ASD.
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-and-adults-booklist/ ______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________
Adults ______________________________

1. Guardianship and Conservatorships

a. A general guardianship or conservatorship gives ______________________________
someone power to make decisions about
medical care, finances, living situations and
more. Some states allow for a “limited” ______________________________
guardian or conservator of a person with ASD.
b. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/preparing-for-adulthood/ ______________________________
2. Government Programs
a. All men must apply for the draft, regardless of
ASD at age 18. ______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/government-resources-
______________________________
obligations-selective-service-registration/
b. SSI and Medicaid are national programs to
cover medical care and financial help.
______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/autism-on-public-assistance-
overview/
______________________________
3. Legal Planning & Special Needs Trusts
a. Wills, Powers of Attorney, Special Needs Trusts
and ABLE Accounts all require a lawyer but are
______________________________
necessary for many adults with ASD.
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/legal-planning-special-needs-
______________________________
trusts/
b. Disability Rights is a national org providing
free/low-cost legal help.
______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/resources-for-legal-assistance/
4. College Programs and Funding
______________________________
a. There are companies who can assist you in
finding grants, scholarships and appropriate
placements in schools, as well as offering ______________________________
ongoing tutoring and mentoring services
throughout the school year.
______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/college-programs-funding/
ii. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
______________________________
resources/teens-with-asd-college/
iii. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/get-your-asd-kid-into-college/
______________________________

______________________________
5. Housing ______________________________
a. There are companies who can assist you in
finding grants, scholarships and appropriate
placements in schools, as well as offering ______________________________
ongoing tutoring and mentoring services
throughout the school year. ______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/housing/
6. Other ______________________________
a. Fully dependent ASD adults can stay on a
parent’s private health insurance indefinitely.
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family- ______________________________
resources/dependent-disabled-adults-
continuation-of-private-health-care-
coverage/ ______________________________
b. Vocational Rehabilitation can pay for job
training, job matching, assistive tech, college or
certificate programs, independent living training ______________________________
and more
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/vocational-rehabilitation/ ______________________________
c. Website Links for Adults & Teens
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/autism-web- ______________________________
links/#anchor_adults_teens
d. There are many books on and for Teens &
Adults with ASD. ______________________________
i. http://www.tacanow.org/family-
resources/teens-and-adults-booklist/
______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________