The parents a few years ahead of you know things no professional will tell you — which providers have real openings, which schools follow through. Portland's support group scene is unusually strong, largely free, and worth joining early.
Sponsors free support and activity groups across the Portland metro for parents, siblings, and autistic kids, teens, and adults — no fees, no diagnosis required; the region's master directory.
Oregon's federally designated parent center: free parent-to-parent support, a helpline for IEP and disability-services questions, and trainings that pair well with any support group.
Part of Portland's active autistic adult community — long-running peer support for autistic adults, and a valuable perspective source for parents raising kids on the spectrum.