My daughter just turned 11, and she was diagnosed just after she turned 2. Catching it at 16 months is a big advantage in the long run. A lot can change over time, and we've seen kids lose their diagnosis or have it altered.
If you aren't yet involved with any parent groups, consider that option. I've found the community to be warm, helpful, and willing to share information or services, resources, programs, etc. Good luck to you and your daughter.
We're fortunate that we have the support (family and education) to allow us to explore opportunities.
We are very engaged with the community and are engaged in every therapy available to us.
My mind though, when not consumed with doing all we can for my daughter, drifts to those parents who don't have families to help. Parents who can't afford to have one parents stay at home (my wife left her career as a Pharmacist, a big part of who she is). It's crushing to think that there are kids who could lose a diagnosis if they had the opportunities my child has. My daughter spends 30 hours a week in various therapies between speech, OT, PT and ABA. She's making amazing progress... but how do you scale that for a general population?
My perspective on society and the services that ought to be a right has changed drastically. It's a shame it took something like this for me to see it.
If you aren't yet involved with any parent groups, consider that option. I've found the community to be warm, helpful, and willing to share information or services, resources, programs, etc. Good luck to you and your daughter.