Do you suspect your child has Autism? Has your child been newly diagnosed with Autism?
If you answered yes to either of the above questions please click here for further information.
What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Learn more... Mentales.net also has a variety of information including: Introduction to Autism; Communication and Language deficits; Social and Behavioral Deficits; Physical Deficits; Developmental Deficits; What Autism is not; Theories of Cause; Symptoms of Autism; Symptoms of Aspersers Disorder; Symptoms of Rett's Disorder; Symptoms of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder; Symptoms of Pervasive Developmental Disorder; Screening Tools; Tests; Treatment - Behavioral and Communication Approaches; Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS); Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA); Sensory Integration; Floortime; Medication, Diet, and Vitamins; Complementary Approaches; Therapeutic Animals and more.....Keystone Autism Information Systems Inc. recently debuted an online and toll-free phone accessible resource guide for individuals living with autism in Pennsylvania. The resource allows people to easily look for, and recommend, autism-friendly businesses. The phone number is 877-695-8495 and the web site is aut2know.org.
Local Groups:
Autism Society of America Lehigh Valley Chapter This a local, personal and practical resource. Included information: locations of meetings in the Lehigh Valley, advice, resources, and a variety of information. Mailings are sent out to members. Phone calls are returned if you leave a phone number.
Autism Resource Community Hub (ARCH) of the Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh County Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force The Task Force meets monthly.
NAMI Child and Adolescent Support Group for Caregivers If your child or adolescent has a brain disorder/mental illness such as pervasive developmental disorder, autism, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, ODD, OCD or other anxiety disorder, or schizophrenia, we have a lot in common. 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm. NAMI Office, 802 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 610-882-2102.
National Groups:
Autism Society of America
Autism Speaks Autism Speaks goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.
National Autism Association
Funding Options:
Autism Insurance Bill-Parents of autistic children would be able to pay for behavioral therapy and related services with private health insurance starting next year. Read more about this. A new web site is now available providing information about the insurance act for family members, private health insurance companies, autism service providers and other stakeholders.
Autism Waiver for Adults - Governor Edward G. Rendell announced on May 22, 2008, that Pennsylvania has been approved for a first-of-its-kind federal waiver program to provide home and community based services specifically for adults with autism. The $20 million-a-year waiver program, which is expected to serve up to 200 individuals 21 years of age and older with autism, was approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Prior to its approval, no dedicated services existed for adults with autism in Pennsylvania.
Autism Mini grants The state Bureau of Autism Services offers individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families mini-grants.
Accessing Medical Assistance - View to get information on: how to get in contact with Lehigh County Assistance office; who to call if your child has HIPP or Health Choices; who to call for Physical Health services; how to access a list of Behavioral Health Providers; who to contact if your child has Health Choices when you are not satisfied with the behavioral health services; how to access children's mental health unit, intellectual disabilities (formerly mental retardation) office and early intervention services in Lehigh County
Resources:
Resources
You can view information about web resources, community resources, choosing a college, books, how to get medical assistance for your child, helpful suggestions, Autism Society of America local chapter, commonly used abbreviations and acronyms, plus more.
Personal Safety:
PA Premise Alert - Families can have a difficult time relating necessary information in times of extreme stress about their special needs family member. This site contains information about how to better educate and provide greater understanding to the police and other first responders of your loved one's disability. If you have concerns about you child getting lost, one company has a creative solution: "Lost and Found Temporary Tattoos". You can write in the vital information - phone number, that your child has autism.
Toys/Entertainment:
EASe "Funhouse"-New video game for sensory processing.
Thomas the Tank Engine and Autism Spectrum Disorder - Interesting site that describes how this show can facilitate getting and maintaining the interest of a child with ASD.
View information about a DVD that was recently developed to help teach Autistic children about emotions and how to recognize emotions. The DVD seems to be tailored to children up to age 6 or 7 and sounds like a version of Thomas the Tank. The video was recently used for a small study in England with positive results. The DVD sells for $57.50.
Educational:
Individualized Education Plan- IEP This link will take to you to the Autism Speaks website which contains a 26 page guide to help families understand the IEP process. Goodwin Procter put the guide together, called, "Individualized Education Program (IEP)Summary, Process and Practical Tips.
The Bureau of Autism Services Training Site--a virtual training center that is available to the general public as well as to providers and practitioners. This comprehensive resource center enables professionals and families to easily access trainings, documents, and other resources in one convenient location. Currently, there are three videos that can be viewed by the general public: First Look, Second Look, and an Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Users need to create a free account and then log-in with their user ID and password. To sign up for a free account and access materials available to the general public, click on the link to the web site.
Flint Hill Farm Educational Center, Inc: a 28 acre agro-edcational facility located in Coopersburg. A vocational program is offered that is open to teens and young adults with mental and physical challenges. Also available are age and grade appropriate educational experiences for students from preK through the University level.
Resource Room: Free-spirited Structured Multisensory Learning. Find ideas, articles, and lesson plans for multi-sensory learning for all ages. Beneficial resource for those that learn differently or have been diagnosed as falling on the autism spectrum.
An Autistic Student's Journey to College
Listen to a story that ran on the NPR Morning Edition on September 11, 2008 about Roger Diehl who is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Roger is autistic and battled mental illness since he was a child. He and his family offer their story and advice on transitioning to college.
Going to College: This website has information about living college life with a disability. It is designed for teens with disabilities and provides video clips, activities, information, and additional resources that can help students get a head start in planning for college.
Pennsylvania Department of Education has many resources for families and advocates of children with special needs. Additional resources such as ConsultLinePaTTAN, PEN, and contact information for complaints such as discrimination and a school employee, and information about who to contact for information on accommodations and Title IX or educational law.
School Community Tool Kit - to assist educators and school staff in understanding and supporting students wtih Autism. The home page of the Tool Kit includes two short video clips, featuring public school principal Kris Bergstrom and autism consultant and author Paula Kluth speaking about including learners with autism. The kit itself is broken down into modules that provide an overview of autism, information about inclusion of students with autism in the school community, strategies for intervention, information targeted to specific members of the school community – administrators, teachers, bus drivers, school nurses, custodians, security and office staff. In addition, there is a list of autism information resources and an appendix with additional background and educational tools.
Resources for College
Miscellaneous Information:
Autism Lectures at the Arc of Chester County--The Arc of Chester County is offering lectures on Autism. These trainings are free for families. View upcoming lecture schedule.
Abbreviations and Acronyms find numerous abbreviations and acronyms that are commonly used in Human Services. Many terms have website links for further information.
Experiences of Students with Asperger's (and Autism)
View information on this online study and how to participate.
DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Doctors
View information about DAN Doctors as well as a referral list.
Dental Tool Kit to Promote Good Oral Health Care for Kids with Autism
Autism Speaks has teamed up with Colgate and Philips Sonicare to create a dental guide and video to provide tips for improving oral hygiene at home, as well as information about how parents and dental professionals can make a visit to the dentist's office less stressful and more productive.
KidsHealth
The Largest and most-visited site providing doctor-approved health information about children from birth through adolescence. View important articles on Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
Medications and Autism - Can Drugs Cure Autism? Which Symptoms of Autism Can be Treated with Drugs? Treating Seizures. Treating inattention and hyperactivity. Assessing drug options.
National Groups and Organizations
Summer Camps and Activities - A listing of all summer camps and activities. For a listing of activities and camps specific for children diagnosed with autism, click here.
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew - An extremely complex disorder is explained, in layman's terms, from the viewpoint of one who has autism.
Tips - How to help your child have a happy holiday
Autism Resources: Informacion en Espanol
Additional Resources:
PA Department of Public Welfare forms and applications
Resource lists of organizations that provide food, clothing, shelter, transportation and other needs
A listing of various support groups
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Articles Of Interest:
Adjusting to the Reality of the Diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorders
Comments & Suggestions