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Autism

 

General Information,
Organizations, Services and Resources
related to Autism and Asperger's Syndrome

 

 

"If I could snap my fingers and be nonautistic, I would not.  Autism is part of what I am." ~ Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

General Information:

  • U.S. National Library of Medicine:
    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person's life. It affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. It includes what used to be known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders. It is called a "spectrum" disorder because people with ASD can have a range of symptoms. People with ASD might have problems talking with you, or they might not look you in the eye when you talk to them. They may also have restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. They may spend a lot of time putting things in order, or they may say the same sentence again and again. They may often seem to be in their "own world."

  • The federal definition of autism is as follows:
    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA 300.7 ©(1)(i)] defines Autism as "A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with Autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movement, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routine, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term Autism does not apply if a child's educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has an emotional disturbance.

  • Definition of Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Society)
    Asperger's Disorder was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994 as a separate disorder from autism. However, there are still many professionals who consider Asperger's Disorder a less severe form of autism.

Organizations & Services re: Autism

  • Autism Insurance Portal
    This site was designed as a collaborative portal to maintain information about the Michigan autism insurance legislation benefit. 

  • Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAOM) AAoM is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders through education, comprehensive services, coordinated advocacy, and cutting-edge research.

  • Autism Risk & Safety Management
    Autism training and resources for law enforcement, emergency first responders, parents, educators, care providers, and the autism community.
  • Autism Society
    Improving the lives of all affected by autism by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
  • Autism Society of Oakland County 
    The Autism Society Oakland County was founded in 1985 by a group of concerned parents. Its mission is to advocate and support meaningful participation in all aspects of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families.
  • Autism Speaks
    Dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.
  • Autistic License Play
    A docudrama, true-to-life play that takes audiences on the rollercoaster ride of raising a child with Autism. It's a sometimes exhausting, sometimes exhilarating, frequently terrifying trip that informs, enlightens and entertains.
  • Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
    seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. Drawing on the principles of the cross-disability community, ASAN seeks to organize the community of Autistic adults and youth to have our voices heard in the national conversation about us.  
  • Autism Spectrum Connection
    We provide resources for families, and medical professionals who deal with the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, Autism, and Pervasive Develomental Disorder / Not Otherwise Specified. (PDD/NOS) 
  • CareTrak Systems
    Families with children affected by autism have used the Home Perimeter Sysem to alert them if the child leaves the yard, giving them the ability to actually track their child up to a mile away.
  • Generation Rescue
    Jenny McCarthy's autism organization – an international movement of scientists, physicians and parent-volunteers researching the causes and treatments for autism and mentoring thousands of families in recovering their children from autism.
  • Interactive Autism Network
    An innovative online project bringing together tens of thousands of people affected by autism spectrum disorders and hundreds of researchers in a search for answers.
  • Marino Autism Research
    The first philanthropically funded “virtual institute” designed to develop and implement cutting-edge research, including clinical studies and training, to address key questions about the causes of autism spectrum disorder and their treatment.
  • National Autistic Society
    Champions the rights and interests of all people with autism and aims to provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and services that they can access, trust and rely upon and which can make a positive difference to their lives.
  • Operation Autism – A Resource Guide for Military Families
    Directly supports U.S. military families touched by autism and autism spectrum disorders. It serves as an introduction to autism, a guide for the life journey with autism, and a ready reference for available resources, services, and support.
  • Special Playdate.com
    Every parent with a child who has autism knows the pains of trying to schedule play dates with other children. We need the comfort of knowing that our child will not be teased by his or her “play date” and that the other parent will also understand our child’s unique behaviors. What is needed is a way for parents with children on the spectrum to be able to find and schedule safe, rewarding social encounters. SpecialPlaydate.com is just such a tool. Free to members, it’s a new online service that’s connecting parents with other parents seeking playdate opportunities for their children with special needs.
  • Ted Lindsay Foundation
    Focused on elevating public awareness in the community regarding the need for increased funding and support for children with autism. We work to raise and dispense funds to new and existing research projects that focus on the cause and treatment of autism. We also provide funding for training programs, educational programs and social services for children with autism.
  • UM-NSU Card
    A comprehensive outreach and support program serving people with autism and related disabilities, their families, and the professionals who work with them. UM-NSU CARD operates in three Florida counties under the supervision of a constituency board comprised of family members who help guide program policy priorities and activities.
  • Unlocking Autism
    One goal of this organization is to bring the issues of autism from individual homes to the forefront of national dialogue. 

Resources: Websites & Blogs re: Autism

  • 50 Great Twitter Feeds for Autism Support (Medical Billing & Coding 5/14/12)
    There’s no better time than now to reach out to others to find support, guidance, new medical research, and information about autism. One amazing place to look for these things is on Twitter, where families, experts on autism, organizations, charities, and even people with autism have flocked, creating a strong online community that is ideal for educating and helping those living with autism. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just someone hoping to learn more about the condition, we’ve listed some of the best Twitter feeds for finding support and information about all things autism.
  • Apps & Autism (Model Me Kids)
    Model Me Kids® leverages iPhone app and iPad app technology as a tool for helping teach children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome.
  • Autism and the World Around Me
    The story of two autistic ADHD boys from ages 5 and 7 onward who has struggled through many difficulties. We talk about Autism, ADHD, Feingold Diet, GFCF diet, autism news, ADHD news, advertising, communication, family, kids, adults, books, friends, and research.
  • Autism Bloggers
    This is the home site for the Autism Support Netring. If you have a site dedicated to autism, then this is the ring for you. Powered By Ringsurf
  • Autism Parenting Magazine
    At Autism Parenting Magazine we aim to provide you with the most current information and interventions about Autism so that you can make the most informed decisions about what will benefit your child.
  • Autism Support Network
    Connects families and individuals touched by ASD with each other, provides support and insight, and acts as a resource guide for treatments, strategies and therapies for autism. Patti's comments: This is a great resource for planning for social goals in education. 
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Fact Sheet
    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. The symptoms are present from early childhood and affect daily functioning
  • Disability Scoop
    The first nationally focused online news organization serving the developmental disability community including autism and fragile X, among others.  
  • Information Connections 
    A website for parents of children with developmental disabilities and chronic diseases serves as an information portal to resources with a special focus on autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, Down syndrome, and traumatic brain injury, among others.
  • Keeping Your Kids with Autism Safe: A Family Resource Guide (Website)
    Most parents place their children’s safety as a top priority as a rule. But for parents of autistic kids, the reality is that it can be even more difficult to keep your children safe from themselves and others simply because of the nature of their disorder. However, parents of autistic children should not live in constant fear: there are tips parents and caregivers of autistic kids can follow to make sure they stay safe.
  • My Aspergers Child
    Help for parents with children with Asperger's Syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
  • National Institutes of Health (Autism info)
    Info and links.
  • Parent's Guide to Toilet Training Children with Autism Spectrum (Autism Speaks)
    Each child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is different. But children with ASD have some common problems that can make toileting training hard for them. Knowing about these problems can help you come up with different ways to meet your child’s needs. This tool kit provides caregivers tips to increase toileting success by teaching toileting skills, providing advice on preparing schedules and routines and promoting visual supports.
  • The Thinking Persons Guide to Autism (blog)
    For parents of children of autism, services from helping professions (physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech/language therapists, behavior therapists, qualified teachers and others) are central to their children's development.

Other PEKD Autism Links