Families
100 Days Kit, Autism Speaks https://www.autismspeaks.org/resource-guide
This kit provides information to help families get through the first steps of an autism diagnosis.
Autism Source, Autism Society of America (ASA) https://www.autism-society.org/
ASA’s Autism Source is a database of resources in local communities. It includes contact information for ASA chapters and other local supports.
Autism NOW https://autismnow.org/
Autism Now is an initiative of The Arc and The Administration on Developmental Disabilities. This national autism resource and information center is a central point of resources and information for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, their families, and other key stakeholders.
Department of Education https://www.ed.gov/
The Department of Education (ED) has resources to assist with the educational needs of children with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities. The ED’s Special Education Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network links to a variety of websites and online resources that focus on special education issues, such as policy, technology, curriculum, and parent trainings. In addition, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) within the ED has resources for parents and individuals, school districts, and states in the areas of special education, vocational rehabilitation, and research.
Life Journey Through Autism Series, Organization for Autism Research (OAR) https://researchautism.org/resources/
OAR has published five Life Journey guidebooks and The Best of The OARacle to date. You can read their descriptions, preview each online, or download copies at no cost. Most are available in Spanish.
• A Parent’s Guide to Assessment
This guide helps parents understand the assessment process and learn how to use assessment results to improve their child’s services.
• A Parent’s Guide to Research
• This guide helps parents find, understand, and evaluate autism research studies.
• A Guide for Transition to Adulthood
This guide provides an overview of the transition from school to adulthood.
Mental Health Services Locator, National Mental Health Information Center https://www.findtreatment.gov/
The Mental Health Services Locator helps families and professionals find information about mental health services and resources by state and/or region. The National Mental Health Information Center is part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Operation Autism for Military Families https://operationautism.org/
Operation Autism is a web-based resource specifically designed and created to support military families that have children with autism. It is from the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) and the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.
School Accreditation, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) https://www.naeyc.org/
NAEYC provides accreditation for schools that meet certain standards, as well as resources, tools, and information for families and childcare providers.
Financial Resources for Health Care
Children’s Health Insurance Program https://www.insurekidsnow.gov/
Insure Kids Now! is a national campaign to link the nation’s 10 million uninsured children–from birth to age 18–to free and low-cost health insurance. It is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services. Each state has a Children’s Health Insurance Program that provides free or low-cost health insurance for eligible children. The website has basic facts about these programs as well as links to every state’s program for children. The site also has information on where you can learn who is eligible for the program, how to apply, and what services are covered. You can get information in English and Spanish. En Español: ¡Asegure a sus Hijos Ahora! | El Programa de su Estado
Medicaid https://www.medicaid.gov/
Medicaid is a federal program that helps certain groups of people pay for medical care. Each state regulates its own Medicaid program, so the rules may be slightly different state-to-state. To get information, contact the Medicaid office in your state.
The Arc Medicaid Reference Desk https://www.thedesk.info/
The Medicaid Reference Desk is a tool to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find out what Medicaid can offer them. It is a project of The Arc and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
Social Security Benefits https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf
This booklet is for the parents, caregivers or representatives of children under age 18 who have disabilities that might make them eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. It is also for adults who became disabled in childhood and who might be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. (SSDI benefit is called a “child’s” benefit because it is paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record.)
Sound Advice on Autism https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/Autism/Pages/default.aspx
To answer parents’ questions about autism spectrum disorders, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a collection of interviews with pediatricians, researchers and parents.
Special Needs Trust/Estate Planning
Plan ahead for your child’s financial future by writing a specialized will and preparing other documents that will help your child access his or her government benefits when you are gone.
Disaster Planning
AutismCares
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/Autism/Pages/default.aspx
A growing number of national autism organizations partnered to form AutismCares, a national initiative to help families with members who have autism that are challenged with disasters in their community. AutismCares registers families through a free online service to help manage and store their health care records and ensure that trained case managers are able to locate them more effectively in case disaster strikes their community.
Assistive Technology
People who have an autism spectrum disorder may use assistive technology (AT). AT is any item that helps people do things in their daily lives. Examples of AT devices include a keyguard that helps children find the right keys on a computer keyboard, a simpler remote control for a TV or stereo, an adapted mouse that makes getting around on the computer easier, switches that help children play with toys, and talking books.
Assistive Devices, MEDLINEplus
MEDLINEplus is an online service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Updated daily, the site offers information on a range of health topics, including autism and assistive devices, in English and Spanish (En Español) .