Receiving a Diagnosis of Autism and/or Apraxia

Aug 21

child lying on his belly holding a red paper heart underneath his hands

By Jessica Jordan, MS. OTR/L

Walking Through an Autism or Apraxia Diagnosis: A Note for Families

This post was created for families navigating a diagnosis of autism and/or apraxia, whether it’s brand new or you’ve been walking this path for a while.

When a family receives an autism or apraxia diagnosis, there can be a mix of emotions—clarity, grief, relief, worry, or even just feeling numb. Wherever you are in that process, we want you to know something right from the start: you and your child are whole, worthy, and absolutely not defined by a diagnosis.

At SUNRISE Therapies, our heart is to come alongside your family with care that feels steady and supportive. We’ll answer the questions that are in our wheelhouse, and when something falls outside our expertise, we’ll point you to the right providers so you don’t have to navigate that alone.

We also have a wide range of resources, handouts, and education that families find reassuring in these early stages—tools that help you understand sensory needs, regulation, trauma, intentional motor, motor planning, and more. Having clear information often helps families feel a little more settled and confident as they learn what supports fit their child best.

If you need additional specialists—PTs, SLPs, music therapists, vision therapists, alternative communication options, feeding therapists—we can help connect you with trusted professionals. Building a team can feel like a lot in the beginning, but you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

And community matters. If you’d like to meet other families walking a similar path, we have support groups, companionship, and allies that we can connect you and your loved one with!

Every family’s experience is unique. There’s no single way to process a diagnosis and no perfect timeline. Our hope is that you feel cared for, supported, and guided as you take your next steps forward.

Helpful Links

If you found this post helpful, you’ll love our therapy resources! Whether you’re a parent or therapist, our apraxia and autism courses are here to offer practical tools, compassionate guidance, and real-world strategies you can use every day.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Parents & Caregivers: Autism Training | Online Course for Parents and Caregivers

🧑‍🏫 For Therapists: Therapist Course for Apraxia and Autism | Mentorship for OTs and Therapists

🏥 Work With Us: In-Person Occupational Therapy (San Diego & Long Beach Areas) | Virtual Coaching