Advice for Parents of Young Autistic Children: Spring (2004)

http://www.autism.org/adviceforparents.html

Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities

The Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD) is a New Jersey-based non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with multiple physical and developmental disabilities so that they may have the opportunity to attain the highest level of purpose and dignity. ABCD represents member agencies that provide a broad array of community-based services to more than 7,900 people with disabilities and their families statewide.

Autism and PDD Support Network

Here you can get the support to cope with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism Center - Patient Centered Guides

Patient-Centered Guides are a mix of medical, practical and emotional information, grounded in Western medicine, told by people who have been there.

Autism Connect

http://www.autismconnect.org/

Autism Info

http://www.autism-info.com/

Autism Spectrum Therapies

AST bases its treatment on the principles of applied behavioral analysis (ABA), but provides an eclectic approach to services. AST strongly believes in the use of naturalistic language strategies in combination with discrete trial training, as well as the infusion of social-skills goals, positive and functional approaches to challenging behaviors, the use of visual supports, and structured routines. Since the needs of each individual are unique, AST tailors the goals and methods accordingly.

Autism Today

The site's concept and direction germinated through one parent's extremely frustrating process associated with finding the best quality treatments and resources for her son with special needs. Autism Today aims to be a creative, interactive, one-stop shop where you can find everything you need to navigate the maze of ASD-related information.

Autism Web

A parents' guide to the diagnosis, treatment and education of children with autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder ( PDD ) and related disorders.

Beyond Autism

Beyond Autism is a site by a parent that has "been there, done that, and still doing it". This autism site contains over 2,700 working links to other resources and is a comprehensive source of information for those of you just starting out - to help you move "beyond" the label of autism - somehow we all have to do that no matter how difficult it is... I have included many links on teaching methodologies, education and "special" education resources, IEP information, augmentative and communication assistance with assistive technology information, disability legal information, sensory dysfunction issues, specialized catalogs, behavior problems and much more!

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Child of Destiny

DisAbility Information and Resources

Division of Developmental Disabilities

Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT)

Families for Early Autism Treatment, Inc. (FEAT) is a non-profit organization of parents and professionals, designed to help families with children who have received the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), or Asperger’s Syndrome.  It offers a network of support where families can meet each other and discuss issues surrounding autism and treatment options.  FEAT has a Board of Directors that meets monthly to discuss issues, establish priorities, and vote on the direction of the organization.

Family Support Center of New Jersey

The Family Support Center is a "One-Stop Shop" clearinghouse, offering you the most up-to-date information on all types of disabilities as well as national, state and local support programs and services for individuals and families seeking such information.

Family Support Organization (FSO)

To provide direct, community-based, family-to-family support to children and families enrolled in the Children's Initiative. To organize community awareness and resources for families; and to work collaboratively as a system partner in planning, organizing, delivering and coordinating needed and appropriate care to individual children and families.

Family Voices

http://www.familyvoices.org/st/NJ.htm

Federation for Children with Special Needs

The Federation is a center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families. Organized in 1975 as a coalition of parent groups representing children with a variety of disabilities, the Federation operates a Parent Center in Massachusetts which offers a variety of services to parents, parent groups, and others who are concerned with children with special needs.

First Signs

First Signs, Inc. is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and pediatric professionals about the early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders. Their mission is to ensure the best developmental outcome for every child by promoting awareness regarding the most important and often overlooked aspects of development: social, emotional, and communication. Their goals are to improve screening and referral practices and to lower the age at which young children are identified with autism and other developmental disorders.

KidNeeds.com

KidNeeds.com is a worldwide resource that provides children with special needs, families and other caregivers with access to comprehensive information and resources. Visitors can find professional opinions on important topics, read about public health policy initiatives and learn about local, statewide and national advocacy efforts on behalf of children with special needs and their families.

Life Journey Through Autism –A Parent’s Guide to Research

This guide is the first in a series of planned publications that will examine and illuminate various aspects of living with autism. Neither this nor future editions will answer all your questions. This guide is a basic tool that will help you ask questions and investigate issues related to treatment for your child. It is the Organization for Autism Research’s (OAR) sincere hope that it helps you achieve your goals.

MAAP Services for the Autism and Asperger Syndrome

MAAP Services for the Autism and Asperger Syndrome is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families of More advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).

Mobile Moms

Mobile Moms, L.L.C. has been developing for about nine months. We are women, and mothers who feel privileged to work with children of special needs. We each bring our own expertise to our company. We started as a daycare for children with special needs but we soon realized that we could better serve you and your family in your own homes. At this time, our water broke, and "Mobile Moms, L.L.C." was born. It is our desire to grow with your family, provide stability and support, and enrich your life. Let us come help you. Even if you simply want to sleep, call us. Rates are adjusted according to family needs, travel time, and the level of care.

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center supports the implementation of the early childhood provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Our mission is to strengthen service systems to ensure that children with disabilities (birth through five) and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate, and family-centered supports and services.

National Institute on Developmental Delays

The National Institute on Developmental Delays is a national resource center with a global outlook that strives to help children with developmental delays and their families. Our services extend to children, not only in the USA, but also across geographical boundaries, in keeping with our watchword ‘Service for All Children’. Along with millions around the globe involved in child development in various ways, we share a great dream - that of a world in which every child gets the opportunity to attain optimal possible growth. The National Institute on Developmental Delays is committed to contribute, facilitate, cooperate and share with like-minded individuals and organizations to make this great dream come true.

New Horizons in Autism

Dedicated to serving individuals with autism and their families in New Jersey by the following means: Deliver community based services; Provide advocacy, support and technical assistance; Increase public awareness and education about autism; and Contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of autism.

NJ Autism Service Guidelines

The guidelines outlined in this document were significantly shaped by the conclusions and recommendations of the National Research Council in the book Educating Children with Autism (2001). New Jersey chose not to repeat the outstanding work of the National Research Council in reviewing research on best practice. Instead, it was decided to combine the National Research Council's recommendations, the early intervention task force recommendations and the existing policies and procedures of early intervention into cohesive guidelines and practice parameters.

New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.

Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities. New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (NJP&A) is the consumer-directed, non-profit organization that serves as New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in the state.

New Jersey Websites

This site provides a list of several autism support groups in the state of New Jersey.

NJ DOE – Children With Special Needs

There are many children in our schools who have special needs. They include children with disabilities; students who live in economically disadvantaged school districts; children from impoverished families; children whose primary language is not English; and children who are gifted and talented. In all cases, the needs of these students must be met by school districts through providing whatever support or accommodations are necessary to educate them. All of these areas require parent involvement and advocacy to assure that school districts adequately serve their children with special needs.

Oops… Wrong Planet Syndrome

This page is for people new to the World of the Autism Spectrum and also a good reference for the rest of us. If you are here to look into what Autism is, how to spot it, diagnose it (or get it diagnosed), cope with a diagnosis (or without one), this is where you want to start.

Our Kids

The Our-Kids web site supports the Our-Kids e-mail list. Our-Kids is a "family" of parents, caregivers and others who are working with children with physical and/or mental disabilities and delays. We call the list "Our-Kids". While it isn't exactingly descriptive, it avoids the pitfalls of labeling our kids anything but what they most certainly are: The wonderful little people in our lives.

Parents of Autistic Children

Founded in 1999, POAC's mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with autism by providing scientifically-based training to parents, teachers, and other direct service providers. POAC's purpose from the beginning was to involve "stakeholders" in the highest level of decision making regarding the education and treatment of children with autism. POAC's advisory board consists ONLY of parents, professionals and paraprofessionals that have demonstrated clinical expertise in teaching children with developmental disabilities. 

Parents United Together

Parents United Together is a group of parents of children with a wide range of disabilities united on a common issue: education.

Partners in Learning

Research Shows that Siblings need help to understand Autism and address their issues in a positive manner. Each session the children will engage in a fun activity, and in a discussion led by a clinical social worker.

Patient-Centered Guides: Autism Center

Patient-Centered Guides are a mix of medical, practical and emotional information, grounded in Western medicine, told by people who have been there. As with their other publishing programs, this series grew out of recognizing a need for a particular kind of information. The writers and editors in this series have encountered illnesses that have threatened or changed their lives.

Spectrum for Living

Spectrum for Living is a not for profit organization, which provides barrier-free residential facilities and day program facilities, medical/nursing, psychological, recreational, vocational/educational, dietary, psychological, social and therapeutic services. Respite, family support services, Adult Training Center and supported employment opportunities are also provided for persons with physical and developmental disabilities.

Social Security Online

The Social Security Administration

Statewide Parent Advocacy Network – New Jersey

The Mission of the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network is to empower families and inform and involve professionals and other individuals interested in the healthy development and educational rights of children. Through this collaboration, all children will become fully participating and contributing members of our communities and society. SPAN’s foremost commitment is to children with the greatest need due to disability; poverty; discrimination based on race, sex, or language; geographic location; or other special circumstances. SPAN relies on federal, state and local grants, along with corporate and private donations to support our commitment to children and their families.

TalkAutism

TalkAutism’s interactive databases allows the autism community access to up-to-date resources and perspectives, while it builds a database for future inquiries.  TalkAutism also develops complementing new communication technologies to connect and assist the autism community. TalkAutism is a turnkey service to organizations, groups, and companies. By using one central database, organizations can provide their families the most extensive and up to date resource and communication forum available.

Temple Grandin

"In 1986, a quite extraordinary, unprecedented and, in a way, unthinkable book was published, Temple Grandin's Emergence: Labeled Autistic. Unprecedented because there had never before been an 'inside narrative' of autism; unthinkable because it had been medical dogma for forty years or more that there was no 'inside,' no inner life, in the autistic.  .extraordinary because of its extreme (and strange) directness and clarity. Temple Grandin's voice came from a place which had never had a voice. . .and she spoke not only for herself, but for thousands of others."

Unlocking Autism

Unlocking Autism’s goal is to enhance the work of other autism organizations. Unlocking Autism is a multi-faceted organization who strives to not only tap into the strength of local communities, but reach out across the nation to unify the parents of the nearly 550,000 autistic people in the U.S. in an effort to sort out the mystery of autism.