where to get help for my daughter

My daughter was born deaf and was implanted with a cochlear implant at age 2.  Our dilemma now is that we have been in denial over her behavior issues since birth basically.  It was all we could do to deal with the learning curve of the deafness and what we realize now as her possible autism.  I am embarrassed to say that she is now 12 and a half and having so much difficulty in school with social skills.  She truly believes that she has a sixth sense, can do magic and has super smelling strength.  She has the body of a 16 year old, and the mind of ... I don't know.  It could get her in trouble if I was not there at the right moment.
We need to suck it up and get her screened.  But is it too late?  I have known for years that she has had Asperger's and have done everything to avoid having someone confirm that.  We had genetic testing done at the time of her deafness diagnoses, and had some metabolic and neurological screenings done around age 5 months (due to possible seizures). Now, we need help.  Where do we go, what do we do, and is it too late.

Central Illinois Mom of a Deaf Beauty

[Jason C Bourret, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

It is never too late to identify a concern with a child and to arrange for appropriate intervention to help her.  Early problems with hearing are often correlated with early delays in language, however, if you are concerned that there may be something else going on with your daughter, by all means have her assessed.  As heartbreaking as it can be to find out that your child has a particular delay or disability, postponing or avoiding assessment just delays finding treatment that would help her.  I absolutely recommend having her assessed and I will tell you what I’ve told others about identifying a person to assess her.  You are looking for a specialist in diagnosing autism and related developmental disorders.  Good choices include developmental pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, child psychiatrists, and child psychologists.  Make sure that the individual providing the diagnosis has experience in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders.  Your pediatrician, local hospital, or school district should be able to refer you to a qualified individual.  Regardless of who you are seeing, make sure that the diagnosis and the reasons for it are fully explained to you.  You shouldn't find yourself walking away confused about the diagnosis.  If you have any concerns, seek a second opinion and find a diagnostician you trust and are comfortable with.