●Special Ed Rights

●Teaching Tools

●Medical

●Safety

●More links

Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Resources Online

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 the National Autistic Society.

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.

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.

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 hire.

For information on Asperger's Syndrome, a milder type of autistic disorder that does not involve a language delay, see the Asperger's Disorder Homepage, by Kaan R. Ozbayrak, MD, or O.A.S.I.S. Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support or MAAP Services for Autism & Asperger Syndrome.

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 based in California, provides education, advocacy and support through chapters in various states. Provides email newsletters and message groups.

Autism Research (return to top)

Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization, has committed millions of dollars toward researching 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 vitamin therapy, dietary intervention, chelation, environmental triggers, and experimental and alternative treatments and theories.

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.

Teaching Tools and Communication Symbols (return to top)

Model Me Kids: Videos For Modeling Social Skills has videos and DVDs to teach social skills to children and teens with autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays. It also sells teaching manuals and student workbooks.

Natural Learning Concepts has materials for teaching abstract categories, social story books, conversation starters and more to young children and students with autism.

Do2Learn has free resources, such as 300 picture cards that can be printed, math grids, coloring pages, art projects, and images to help with the tracing of shapes and letters.

Free downloads/materials that help students read are available at Slater Software and Starfall. Jacob's Lessons has free, ABA-based computer educational activities.

Several companies sell different picture communication symbols or other communication devices used to help children with speech delays and/or autism learn words and/or express themselves. Visit Pyramid Educational Consultants, Mayer-Johnson Co. and CommuniPix.

Picture flash cards for teaching colors, shapes, action words, sight words and vocabulary.

WorkbookWindow.com sells an ABA teaching tool that turns any workbook into a write-on, wipe-off practice book.

Free songs to download to help children learn language: Dream English.

See our ABA and VB Directory for a complete list of Materials for Teaching Programs.

Help with Special Education (return to top)

IEPs, ARDs, IFSPs, what does it all mean? Here are several web sites that help acquaint parents with the federal laws requiring that children with a disability receive a free and appropriate public education from birth to age 21. Find out what your rights are, and what to do if you believe your school district is violating those rights.

Wrightslaw - Hundreds of articles, legal cases and other information on special education law and advocacy in a free online library and newsletter. This top-ranked legal site is run by attorney Peter Wright and psychotherapist Pamela Wright, the authors of several books for parents on law and advocacy.

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. 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, a nonprofit group of parents, lawyers and educational advocates, works to improve the education of children with disabilities. Search for an education attorney in your state.

Families and Advocates Partnership for Education - a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education to help parents and advocates improve the "educational outcomes" for children with disabilities. Information available in Spanish and other languages.

Medical (return to top)

Defeat Autism Now! maintains a list of health care providers who have attended one of its conferences on alternative biomedical treatments for autism and related conditions. Such therapies include chelation, supplements, and special diets.

Medline Plus: Autism information from the National Library of Medicine and NIH.
Autism Treatment Network at Autism Speaks.

Autism One Radio: Web-based radio that has programs on biomedical treatments and special diets.

Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic

Safety for People with Autism (return to top)

Autism Risk and Safety Management, a web site by safety expert Dennis Debbaudt, has autism safety information for parents, teachers, paramedics and police.

Project Lifesaver, a nonprofit group, provides wristwatch-like tracking devices to people with autism and other disorders that place them at risk for getting lost. The devices help police who participate in this program find someone who wanders away. 757-546-5502.

Protecting the Child or Adult with Autism article.

Safety Turtle sells devices that it says will keep children safer near pools and waterways.

Select Autism Merchandise sells ID-related packs that include Medic Alert jewelry, window decal, tattoos, etc.

Visit our Links page for more autism web sites.