K.,
First, the diagnosis is very hard to accept. I know. My daughter is on the spectrum. But you live in a great state because autism services are covered under Medicaid. The first thing you have to do is start the MA application process. It takes a few months to complete. Once your son gets his MA card (and he will) then you can get him all of the services he needs. Under Act 62, private insurance must cover some autism services. If your local BSC providers do not take your insurance, then you can request that they apply. This also will take them some time to do as they are probably applying to dozens of different insurance carriers all with different requirements. Here is the Pa website http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/Autism/ It is a lot to read through but it is easier to read it online rather than call. This link will take you to the autism insurance page fact sheet with a link to MA: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/Autism/Act62/...
Make sure you get the speech testing done and the occupational therapy testing done. Also inform your school of the diagnosis and begin working with the school and the intermediate unit on your IEP. This will help your son get the services he needs in school.
Another program that has worked wonders for my daughter is a social skills program. This is covered under MA.
Just to let you know, it took the better part of a year for me to get all of the therapies lined up. It took about 3 months to get MA. It took another 3 months to get wraparound services due to high demand. It took almost ten months to get a speech therapist slot. The easiest slot to get was social skills. We go to Stepping Stones. Stepping Stones also has a support group but it is in Washington County, about 35 minutes from Munhall.
Support groups are a great place to get information. All of us parents have been through it so we know the ins and outs.
Finally, don't expect miracles. Autism is the long haul. You may see a stride forward and then several strides back. It takes a lot of work and effort and support and love and especially patience to parent a child on the spectrum.
If you want to read more about us, check out my blog at www.unlockingrose.com
Good luck to you and if you want to talk, send me a private message and I will send you my email.