Autism Resources Online
Where Should I Start?
Newly diagnosed? Download Autism Speaks' free
"100 Day Kit" for information and advice to help you make the most
of the first 100 days after receiving a diagnosis of an autism spectrum
disorder. See their video clips of autism symptoms
here.
Autism Society
of America: To find a chapter in your area and receive autism
information, visit their web site or call 1-800-3AUTISM. ASA chapters
are a good place to meet other parents in your community. To find an
autism organization outside the U.S., go to
World Autism Awareness.
Need help with education or therapy funding, insurance, respite care or other services? Find your state's Developmental Disabilities Agency and other resources on this State List, and call to ask about services.
Looking for tutors, advocacy groups, special education lawyers or psychologists in your state? Visit www.yellowpagesforkids.com. Check the credentials and references of anyone you consider hiring.
Would an online college course on autism help you? Yale University has made its Understanding Autism class available online and free to the public.
For information on Asperger's Syndrome, a milder type of autistic disorder that does not involve a language delay, see AutismWeb's Asperger page, MAAP Services for Autism & Asperger Syndrome, Dr. Tony Attwood's Asperger's web site, and O.A.S.I.S. Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support.
Autism Information Center at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Indiana Resource Center for Autism publishes articles about autism.
Families for Early Autism Treatment, a non-profit organization in California, provides education, advocacy and support through chapters in some states.
Teaching Tools and Communication Symbols
Model Me Kids has videos that teach social skills to children and teens with autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays. It also sells teaching manuals and student workbooks. Model Me Kids is offering free downloads of apps for iPod, iPad, Droid and iPhone of its social story lessons for autism, including photo slide shows of children modeling appropriate behavior in various community locations. For free downloads, go to the toolbar on the Home page.
Natural Learning Concepts has teaching materials, social story books, sensory therapy toys, and conversation starters for young children and students with autism spectrum disorders.
Materials for Teaching Programs: See AutismWeb's complete list.
Special Needs
therapy and sensory products at Discount School Supply.
Apple's
iPad
Several companies sell different picture communication symbols or other devices used to help children with speech delays and autism learn words and express themselves. Visit Pyramid Educational Consultants, Mayer-Johnson Co. or CommuniPix.
The Gray
Center for Social Learning and Understanding: Web site of educator
Carol Gray, who developed stories to teach social skills. Her books,
The New Social Story Book
Social Thinking: Speech
pathologist Michelle Garcia Winner's program for teaching social
learning to students with Asperger's syndrome, ADHD and
social-communication problems. Winner is the author of
books on social thinking
Help with Special Education
IEPs, ESY, IFSPs, what does it all mean? Here are web sites that help parents understand the federal laws that require that children with a disability receive a free and appropriate public education from birth to age 21. Find out what your child's rights are, and what to do if you believe your school is violating those rights.
Wrightslaw -
Attorney Peter Wright and psychotherapist Pamela Wright run the
top-ranked web site for special education law and advocacy information.
Hundreds of articles and legal cases are available in a free online
library and newsletter. The Wrights are the authors of
From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide
NCLB and IDEA: What Parents of Students with Disabilities Need to Know and Do: This printable guide explains two important U.S. laws, The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). From the National Center for Educational Outcomes with Council of State School Officers and National Association of State Directors of Special Education.
Council for Parent Attorneys and Advocates is a nonprofit group of parents, lawyers and advocates involved in the education of children with disabilities. Search for a special ed attorney or advocate in your state.
Families and Advocates Partnership for Education has online summaries of federal special education law and No Child Left Behind, along with research on the education of children with disabilities. (return to top)
Medical and Dental
Autism Research Institute (formerly Defeat Autism Now!) provides online information and sponsors conferences on alternative biomedical treatments for autism and related conditions. Such therapies include chelation, vitamins and supplements, hyperbaric oxygen therapy or HBOT, and special diets. Webcasts of past conferences can be viewed here.
Is your child or patient uncomfortable with dental care and appointments? Get this guide and video about helping sensory-sensitive kids with dental care: Dental Tool Kit to Promote Good Oral Health Care for Kids with Autism.
Medline Plus: Autism information from the National Library of Medicine and NIH.
Autism Treatment Network at Autism Speaks.
Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic
University of Maryland Complementary and Alternative Medicine Index: information on supplements and herbs.
Autism One Radio: Web-based radio with programs on biomedical treatments and other topics. (return to top)
Recreation
Don't let autism stand in the way of a family movie outing. Select AMC theaters show "sensory-friendly" screenings of movies for children with special needs. Visit the ASA website for participating theaters.
Camps: American Camp Association (choose autism under Special Needs heading)
Surfers Healing sponsors free surfing camps for kids with autism.
Lose the Training Wheels teaches children with special needs to ride bikes. (return to top)
Autism Research
Autism Speaks, a nonprofit group founded by Bob and Suzanne Wright, financially supports research into the causes, prevention and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Programs include the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, Autism Treatment Network, Clinical Trials Network and Innovative Technology for Autism.
Autism Research Institute, established in 1967, researches the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. This site contains information on experimental and alternative biomedical treatments and theories, vitamin therapy, dietary intervention and chelation.
Interactive Autism Network, or IAN, is an online project linking researchers and families. Parents can fill out online questionnaires and read preliminary research data. IAN is supported by Kennedy Krieger Institute, a medical center for people with developmental disorders, and Autism Speaks.
National Institutes of Health Autism Research Network lists major U.S. research projects. (return to top)
Keeping a Person with Autism Safe
Autism Risk and Safety
Management, a web site by safety expert and author
Dennis Debbaudt
Autism Wandering Awareness Alerts Response and Education works to prevent autism wandering incidents. Website has information on how to handle wandering from school, plus information for parents, schools and police.
Project Lifesaver, a nonprofit group, provides wristwatch-like tracking devices to people with autism and disorders that place them at risk for wandering and getting lost. The devices help police who participate in this program quickly find someone who wanders away. More than 1,000 agencies in 45 states participate in the program. 757-546-5502.
L.E.A.N. on Us has information for police, fire and rescue personnel on serving people with hidden disabilities such as autism. Free safety ID cards.
Safe and Sound program of the Autism Society of America.
National Drowning Prevention Alliance has tips for water safety.
RightStart.com sells crib tents to keep tots from escaping and wandering.
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