Find the help, and the money, your child is entitled to.
You know your child best. Waylight Parents shows U.S. parents what their state may pay for (scholarships and ESAs, with more programs coming) and the school rights they have, with official sources, in one free place. Written by a parent.
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Quick answer. Waylight Parents is a free guide for U.S. parents of children with autism, ADHD, ODD, anxiety or learning disabilities. Choose what you need, your child's age and your state, and you get official government and non-profit starting points, each with a source and the date we checked it. Nothing you choose is stored or sent.
Updated
Your state may pay for therapy, school or tools
Many families never hear about the money that exists: education savings accounts and scholarships, Medicaid waivers, and Medicaid's EPSDT benefit for children. We're gathering what each state offers, starting with scholarship and ESA programs in AZ, FL, IN, NC, OH and TX, plus your rights in every state, with official sources. Free.
Where are you right now?
Most parents start with a feeling, not a form. Pick the one that sounds like you, and we'll fill in the search below.
Tell us what you need
General starting points
Results are ordered by source type (government, then non-profit, then others), then by name. Nobody pays to be listed or ranked.
How Waylight works
- Tell us where you arePick what you need, your child's age and your state. It stays in your browser.
- See your official starting pointsGovernment and non-profit sources first, each with the date we last checked it.
- Take one step todaySend a free letter template, call your Parent Center, or save a tip for tonight.
Tip of the day
- Kids on the spectrum sometimes find it easier to talk with a doll or teddy than with another person. Try letting the teddy ask your child a question, and see what happens. Source: AAP HealthyChildren: Power of play
- Many kids on the spectrum are over- or under-responsive to touch. Notice whether your child prefers firm hugs and deep pressure, or light, gentle touch, and follow their lead. Source: AOTA: What is occupational therapy
- Try showing instead of only telling: a picture of the next step (shoes, car, school) can make a change easier to follow. Source: NCAEP: Visual supports
- Before a transition, try a gentle heads-up: "Two more minutes, then bath." A visual timer can make the countdown easier to see. Source: NCAEP: Visual supports
- If words are hard right now, try offering two choices with pictures or real objects: "Apple or banana?" Pointing counts as communicating. Source: ASHA: AAC
- Try narrating what your child is doing during play ("You're stacking the red block") instead of asking lots of questions. Less pressure, more words to hear. Source: ASHA: Speech and language development
- Try joining your child's favorite activity on their terms, even if it's lining up cars. Sharing their interest can open the door to connection. Source: AAP HealthyChildren: Power of play
- A short, predictable bedtime routine, the same steps in the same order each night, may help. Try a picture strip of the steps on the bedroom door. Source: NCAEP: Visual supports
- Notice what happens right before a meltdown: noise, hunger, a change in plans? Jot it down for a week. Patterns are easier to see on paper. Source: Child Mind Institute
- Try keeping a small "calm kit" in your bag: headphones, a favorite fidget, a snack. Having it ready can make outings less stressful. Source: Autism Speaks tool kits
- When you give an instruction, try fewer words and one step at a time: "Shoes on." Then wait a little longer than feels natural for a response. Source: ASHA: Speech and language development
- Try a quiet corner at home with soft light, a beanbag or blanket, where your child can go when the world feels too loud. Source: AOTA: What is occupational therapy
- Celebrate small wins out loud and specifically: "You put your cup in the sink!" Specific praise shows exactly what went well. Source: Understood
- If haircuts or dentist visits are hard, try a practice run at home: look at photos of the place, and play the visit with a toy first. Source: Autism Speaks tool kits
- Write your observations down before appointments: what you see, when, and how often. It helps doctors and schools understand your child. Source: Parent Center Hub: Evaluation
- Some kids eat better when foods don't touch. Try a divided plate and one small new food next to familiar favorites, with no pressure to eat it. Source: Autism Speaks tool kits
- Try singing instructions instead of saying them. A simple tune for clean-up or hand washing can make routines more fun. Source: AAP HealthyChildren: Power of play
- If your child repeats lines from shows, try joining in. Echoed phrases can be a way of communicating, and you can build on them. Source: ASHA: Speech and language development
- Movement breaks can help before sitting tasks. Try jumping, pushing a laundry basket or carrying groceries, and see if focus comes easier after. Source: AOTA: What is occupational therapy
- Try a "first, then" board: "First homework, then tablet." Seeing what comes next can make a hard task feel more doable. Source: NCAEP: Visual supports
- Let siblings in on simple ways to play together, like rolling a ball back and forth. Short, easy turns can grow into longer play. Source: AAP HealthyChildren: Power of play
- Your rest matters too. Try asking one person you trust for one specific hour of help this week. Small breaks count. Source: Child Mind Institute
- If a store is overwhelming, try going at quiet times, with a short list and a clear end: "Three things, then home." Source: Autism Speaks tool kits
- Try using your child's special interest to teach: count trains, read about dinosaurs, write letters to a favorite character. Source: Understood
- Clothing tags and seams can feel scratchy to some kids. Try tagless or seamless clothes and see if mornings get easier. Source: AOTA: What is occupational therapy
- Try getting down to your child's eye level and saying their name before you speak. It can help them know the words are meant for them. Source: ASHA: Speech and language development
- Keep a simple "all about me" page for new teachers or sitters: what calms your child, what upsets them, how they say yes and no. Source: Parent Center Hub: Evaluation
- If your child uses a communication board or app, try using it yourself when you talk to them. Seeing it used helps them learn it. Source: ASHA: AAC
- Try water play for calm time: pouring cups in the bath or sink. Many kids find the feel and sound of water soothing. Source: AAP HealthyChildren: Power of play
- You can ask your school district for a free evaluation in writing at any age, even before a diagnosis. Keep a copy of your letter. Source: Parent Center Hub: Evaluation
A gentle idea to try and see, not medical advice. See all 30 tips.
Is this for you?
Waylight is for you if
- You're a parent or caregiver of a child (0–21) in the U.S.
- You feel something is different, or you already have a diagnosis
- You want official sources, not opinions
- You need to know who to call and what to ask for
Waylight is not for you if
- You need a diagnosis (only a qualified professional can give one)
- You want treatment advice or promises about outcomes
- You're in crisis right now: call or text 988, or 911 in an emergency
- You need legal representation (ask your Parent Center or an attorney)
How parents use it
Example scenarios. These are illustrations written by us to show how people use the site, not real reviews or testimonials.
“He doesn't answer to his name and plays alone. We picked “evaluation”, age 0–3 and our state, and found the early intervention office to call. We called the same week.”
— A parent of a 3-year-old (example)
“The school kept saying “let's wait and see.” We used the free evaluation-request letter, sent it by email, and kept a copy with the date.”
— A parent of a 7-year-old (example)
“We were worried about life after high school. The planning results pointed us to the state disability agency and the Parent Center.”
— A grandparent raising a 15-year-old (example)
How Waylight compares
| Waylight Parents | Free government sources | Professional evaluation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | Often covered by school or insurance; private costs vary |
| Gives a diagnosis | No | No | Yes, by a qualified professional |
| Points you to your state's offices | Yes, in one place | Yes, but spread across many sites | Sometimes |
| Plain-language next steps and letters | Yes | Some | Sometimes |
| Every fact has a source and date | Yes | Yes (they are the source) | Not applicable |
| Written by a parent who's been there | Yes | No | No |
We don't replace either one. We help you find the government sources and get ready for the evaluation.
Free to use today
What can help
Kids with autism, ADHD and other special needs sometimes need tools, games and everyday objects that help with sensory regulation, self-expression, better sleep, fewer overwhelming stimuli and less frustration. Not everything fits every child, but sometimes even something small can make a big difference.
Why I built Waylight Parents
I'm Tal, and I'm the mother of twin boys. One of them, my 9-year-old son, is autistic.
Around the age of 3, I started to feel that something was wrong. He didn't play with other children, only with his twin brother.
He was diagnosed at 4 as high-functioning. But from age 5 he regressed, and today he is low-functioning. This is called regressive autism.
Right after the diagnosis I started learning ABA and everything I could about autism. We tried speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist, light therapy, medication, and even umbilical cord blood treatment.
So much of what I needed, I had to piece together on my own, one website and one phone call at a time. I built Waylight Parents so other parents can find it in one place, with official sources, and with fewer late nights of searching.
Please tell me what's missing. All I can do is try my best to help you through this, one step at a time.
— Tal, mom and founder of Waylight Parents
Sharing my family's journey is not a recommendation of any treatment. Every child is different. Please discuss options with your child's clinicians.
Parent first.
More for you
- No clinical provider pays for a referral, a lead or a ranking.
- Every health or legal fact has a source link and a last-reviewed date.
- No analytics or ad pixels anywhere on this site.
Common questions
What is Waylight Parents?
Waylight Parents is a free US navigation guide, written by a parent, that points parents and caregivers of children with autism, ADHD, ODD, anxiety and learning disabilities to official sources on services, school rights, benefits and funding.
Does Waylight Parents diagnose or recommend treatment?
No. Waylight Parents does not diagnose conditions or recommend treatment. Nothing on this site is medical, legal or financial advice. Talk with your child's clinician, school team or a qualified professional about your child.
How do I ask my child's school for an evaluation?
Put the request in writing to the principal or Director of Special Education and keep a dated copy. Under IDEA the evaluation is due within 60 days of your written consent, or your state's own timeline. Our free letter template helps.
Can a provider pay to be listed or ranked higher?
No. No clinical provider pays for a referral, a lead or a ranking. Results are ordered by type of source (government first, then non-profit, then others) and then by name.
Is what I select on the search saved or sent anywhere?
No. The search runs in your browser on a small list that is already on the page. Your choices are not sent, stored, or put in the web address.
How current are the facts?
Every health or legal fact has a source link and a last-reviewed date. State pages marked baseline only list official links and are not yet researched in depth.
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