100 Resources for Parents of Autistic Children
Organizations
and Groups
The
following organizations and groups all promote education, research, and support
for families touched by autism and all have plenty to offer.
1. Autism
Society of America.
Find out about research and programs, get tips, and learn about living with
autism, autism news, resources, and even sensory-friendly film showings.
2. Autism Speaks. This organization is promoting
public education as well as research for a cure. They include information on
early signs as well as other information, autism in the news, sponsor walk
events, and offer family support through social networks and outreach.
3. TalkAutism. With a database of professionals, a
place for those seeking help to reach out with their requests, and online
presentations offering information on a variety of topics this group offers
support for parents and caregivers.
4. Organization for Autism
Research. This
group was organized by parents and grandparents with autistic children and
focuses on educating parents, teachers, and caregivers about autism through
applied science.
5. Unlocking Autism. Working to speak for those with autism by getting
information to the public as well as providing parents with information about
legislation, biomedical research, and more, this group is a great resource to
stay on top of what’s going on behind the scenes.
6. National
Autism Association.
Educating and empowering families while funding research for autism are the
goals of this organization. Learn about research projects; find help for
families, and more.
7. Autism Research
Institute. This
organization is the home to the Defeat Autism Now! approach that believes
autism can be cured through biomedical intervention that moves the focus of
treatment away from psychotropic drugs as a primary means of treatment. This
site offers tons of information on autism.
8. Easter
Seals: Help, hope and answers.
The resources here include results from the Easter Seals’ Living with Autism
Study, state-by-state profiles and services, and their autism blog.
9. The Arc of the United
States. This
national group offers information and support for families and adults living
with intellectual and developmental disabilities with local chapters that can
offer services such as advocates to attend ARD meetings at your child’s school,
case management services, and respite care.
11.
Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT). This specific group is based out of
Northern California, but they have chapters in many other cities across the US
and focus on scientifically based intervention and treatments for children with
ASDs.
Support
and Social Networks
These
groups are specifically created for support and networking opportunities for
parents, educators, and caregivers working with those with autism.
14.
Parent to Parent USA. This nationwide organization has local chapters that
link parents with other parents who have children with similar medical or
behavioral issues. They have a section specifically for autism spectrum
disorders.
15.
Moms
Fighting Autism.
Create your own profile to meet others or just browse through the posts on this
social network of moms fighting autism.
16.
Autism Speaks Social Network. This social network sprung from the
larger organization by the same name and offers groups, forums, blogs, profile
pages, and more for members.
17.
Autism Support Network. Find a group, connect with other
members, or read what others have to share about their experiences with autism
and Asperger’s.
19.
WeAreAutism.org. This social network is for those living with ASDs and
allows opportunities for social connection and sharing.
20.
Autism Parents. This site is specifically for single parents who have a
child or children on the spectrum and offers a place for support and social
connection.
21.
The A-N Social Network. Create a customized profile page,
post photos and videos, or talk with others on the forums at this social
network designed to connect those dealing with autism.
22.
Grandparent Autism Network. This organization serves a dual
purpose with articles and videos to help inform and support grandparents of
grandchildren dealing with autism and also providing face-to-face support for
grandparents and their families in southern California.
Understanding
Autism
From
recognizing early signs of autism to understanding communication and autism,
the following resources will help you learn more about autism.
23.
Learn
the Signs. Act Early.
Get plenty of information about child development from the information here
that is designed to help parents, educators, and caregivers recognize
developmental disorders in children from birth to 5 years.
24.
American
Academy of Pediatrics Developmental Stages. You can rely on this information to
provide you with developmental stages of typically developing children. Use
this as a general guideline to recognize if your child is developing according
to this schedule.
25.
First Signs.
This resource offers information on recognizing autism, screening and
referrals, treatment options, and more.
26.
Autism A.L.A.R.M.. This fact sheet is specifically designed for
physicians, but provides helpful information on recognizing the potential of
ASDs.
29.
CDC Autism Information Center. Find early warning signs, learn
about screenings and diagnosis, learn about treatment and therapy options, and
read research about the suspected relationship between vaccinations and autism.
32.
Autism and Communication. Learn about autism and communication
with the information here from the National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders.
33.
MedlinePlus: Autism. This resource offers links to many articles and
publications offering information on everything from the basics about autism to
diagnosis and treatment to coping to clinical trials.
Treatments
and Therapies
Learn about
various treatments and therapies used with children on the spectrum with these
resources.
35.
Lovaas Institute. Dr. O Ivar Lovaas is a pioneer in the treatment of
autism and began using his method of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) over 40
years ago. Learn more about this treatment therapy and find help in your area
here.
38.
The PLAY Project. The focus of this project is to provide opportunities
for parents, caregivers, and educators to learn interventions appropriate for
young children with ASDs based on the work done by Dr. Stanley Greenspan.
39.
Autism Treatment Center of America. This organization is the home of the
Son-Rise program, which approaches treatment through embracing what the
autistic behaviors communicate about children with ASDs and working to discover
and incorporate what motivates them into the treatment plan.
40.
Sensory Fun.
This website offers a quick glimpse at Sensory Integration Dysfunction as well
as provides ideas for activities and tools to help your child.
41.
Social Skills.
With plenty of links and examples for teaching social skills, this is a good
place to start if you are working on teaching social skills to an autistic
child.
43.
The GFCF Diet.
This site will help you learn about implementing and maintaining a gluten and
casein-free diet to help treat autism.
Articles
Discussing Autism Issues
From tips
for traveling with an autistic child to helping a fussy eater to understanding
new genetic discoveries, these articles offer information you may want to know.
45.
Six Tips for Traveling with an Autistic Child. If you decide to take a family
vacation or need to go out of town for any reason, read this article for great
suggestions to minimize the disruption that may be difficult for your child to
manage.
46.
Interview with Dr. Temple Grandin. Read what Dr. Grandin has to say
about her experiences living with autism and her views on the current issues
surrounding autism.
47.
Finding and Fighting Autism Early. With the importance of early
detection and intervention, this article looks at how practitioners are working
to improve detection so that children with ASDs don’t get overlooked.
49.
Is the Autism Epidemic a Myth?. This article explores the
possibility that the rate of autism hasn’t risen, just society’s awareness and
recognition of it.
50.
Fussy Eaters and Autism. Discover why many autistic children
are such fussy eaters and learn strategies to get your child to eat a wider
variety of foods.
52.
Step Forward in Autism Genetics. This article explores a discovery
scientists have made bringing them closer to understanding a genetic
predisposition to autism.
Blogs
Read about
current news and trends in autism research or follow along as parents write
about their experiences living and loving a child on the spectrum.
55.
Autism Vox.
Posts here are written by both the mother and father of a child with autism and
include insight to their lives as well as some of the latest news and
suggestions for others.
56.
Autism Blog.
Written by a mother of a child with autism, this blog offers tips and support
to those working with or living with people affected by autism.
57.
Social Skills for Kids. Specifically for parents of children
with autism, Asperger’s, or ADHD, this blog includes great posts touching on
important social skill issues such as providing down time, helping kids
understand subtle emotions, and tips for school success.
58.
Autism Watch: 2007. Parenting her autistic son since his birth in 2000,
this mom writes about news, research, her experience, and opinions on the
current trends.
59.
What We Need.
This mom shares her experience rearing a son with high-functioning autism.
61.
Asperger-blog.com. Find links to books, resources, and news or get
first-hand reports of what it’s like having a son with Asperger’s with this
blog.
62.
Hoping, Not Coping. Spreading the word about autism and sharing their
family’s journey, this blog strives to educate others about autism.
63.
Action for Autism. From the UK, this father of a son with Asperger’s is
also an educator and writes books and speaks about autism.
64.
Vaccine Blog.
This blog takes a scientific approach to the pro-vaccine stance.
65.
Vaccine
Awakening.
Striving to support parent rights to vaccine choices, this woman blogs about
legislature and news surrounding parents’ rights.
66.
VaccineEthics.org Blog. This bioethics research organization
focuses on ethical practice of medicine. Their blog reports the latest news on
the vaccine and bioethics front.
Regional
Resources
These
resources are aimed at helping those in specific geographic locations, but also
often provide helpful information on their websites no matter where you live.
67.
Families Together. Families in Washington, Idaho, and Maryland can benefit
from the workshops designed for parents and typically developing siblings of
those with disabilities as well as Family Enrichment Weekends.
68.
Families Together, Inc.. This organization offers support for
families in Kansas who have a child with special needs, including autism.
70.
Thoughtful House. Located in Austin, TX, this center focuses on
recovering those with autism spectrum disorders through a combination of diet,
therapies, and medical care.
71.
The Help Group. Founded in 1975, The Help Group has seven campuses in
the Los Angeles area offering specialized day schools to children on the
spectrum from Kindergarten through high school.
74.
McCarton Foundation. This foundation in New York offers a school that
incorporates ABA, peer interaction, and speech and language therapy as well as
research done in conjunction with Rutgers and a training facility for parents,
educators, and caregivers.
75.
TEACCH Autism Program. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, this
program offers clinical services, training, and current research to help those
on the autism spectrum.
76.
Koegel Autism Center. A part of the University of California, Santa Barbara,
this center focuses on research and treatment of ASDs with a specific interest
in Pivotal Response Treatments (PRT).
77.
Autism Center – University of Washington. Not only can those located near this
university participate in research studies, this site offers lots of links to
information about autism spectrum disorders.
Financial
Assistance Resources
Having a
child with autism is expensive. Many couples discover that one partner must
stay home with their child as childcare is not available and the treatments and
interventions are often expensive and frequently not covered by insurance. Use
these resources to help lessen the financial burden autism may create for your
family.
78.
Helping Hand.
This grant is funded through National Autism Association and provides a
one-time opportunity for those families in serious financial need.
79.
Family First.
Another grant from NAA, this one is a one-time grant for couples seeking
marriage counseling to help prevent the alarming rate of divorce among couples
with a child on the spectrum.
80.
Aid for Autistic Children Foundation. This organization provides financial
assistance to families who are burdened with the expenses associated with
caring for someone with autism. They typically provide assistance for therapies
or services already paid by the family.
82.
Mesa Angels.
This organization provides financial assistance to those experiencing
catastrophic experiences, including medical issues.
84.
ModestNeeds.org. This organization works to help those who are employed
and trying to stay afloat financially an opportunity to connect with donors in
order to fund there modest needs. Several of those seeking funds are doing so
for ASD-related issues.
Shopping
Resources
The
following resources offer online shopping for items specifically geared toward
making life easier or treating autism.
87.
Autismshop.com. Parents and educators can find books, software, sensory
chewables, time timers, visuals, music, and games and toys all specifically
designed for those with autism.
89.
Natural Learning Concepts. This store offers educational
materials, therapy tools, and sensory toys for children with special needs,
especially autism.
90.
DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets. Shop the selection of weighted
blankets available at this store run by parents of a son with classic autism
who designed the blankets around their son’s needs.
91.
Giving Greetings. Parents and educators can find visual support material
to help promote communication.
92.
OZMO.
Find fun toys, books, puzzles, and more specially designed for those with
autism.
Pervasive
Developmental Disorders (PDD), Asperger’s Syndrome, and Nonverbal Learning
Disorder
Typically
considered higher functioning types of autism, these resources offer
information on PDD, Asperger’s, and NVLD.
95.
Weird Not Stupid. This website is run by a sibling with an older sister
and a younger brother who both have Asperger’s Syndrome. You can find plenty of
helpful information about Asperger’s and NVLD here.
96.
O.A.S.I.S..
This site has a wealth of information for those learning about Asperger’s and
related disorders or seeking support.
98.
Asperger Syndrome. From Family Village, this page offers tons of resources
for those seeking information on Asperger’s and related disorders.
99.
Asperger’s Syndrome. The Yale Child Study Center provides this overview of
Asperger’s as well as two PDFs that provide guidelines for assessment and
diagnosis as well as treatment and intervention.
100. Nonverbal Learning Disorders. While the debate continues whether
NVLD is a milder form of autism, a part of Asperger’s, or a completely
different disability altogether, this article offers a close look at what NVLD
is and how it can be handled in school.
