Resources for Individuals with Autism
Welcome to the Autistic Community
This book is about what it means to be a part of the autistic community. Autistic people wrote this book. Some autistic people are just learning about their autism. We wanted to welcome them and give them a lot of important information all in one place.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/welcome-to-the-autistic-community/
Start Here - A Guide For Parents of Autistic Kids
Too often, when parents find out their kid is autistic, they receive negative messages from all sides. Many resources available to parents stigmatize autism and talk about it as something to be “overcome,” not as a part of who an autistic child is.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/start-here/
Knowing Why: Adult-Diagnosed Autistic People on Life and Autism
What happens when you make it to adulthood before finding out you're autistic?
As A.J. Odasso writes in this anthology: "You spend a lot of time wondering what's wrong without ever knowing why." This anthology includes essays from a diverse group of adult-diagnosed autistic people.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/knowing-why/
Navigating College: A Handbook on Self Advocacy
Leaving high school and going to college is complicated for everyone. But if you're a student on the autism spectrum who is about to enter higher education for the first time, it might be a little bit more complicated for you. Maybe you're worried about getting accommodations, getting places on time, or dealing with sensory issues in a new environment. Maybe you could use some advice on how to stay healthy at school, handle dating and relationships, or talk to your friends and classmates about your disability.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/navigating-college/
Empowering Leadership: A Systems Change Guide for Autistic College Students and Those with Other Disabilities
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is honored to join The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation in presenting Empowering Leadership: A Systems Change Guide for Autistic College Students and Those With Other Disabilities, a resource for equipping the next generation of leaders in the disability rights movement.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/empowering-leadership-a-systems-change-guide-for-autistic-college-students-and-those-with-other-disabilities/
And Straight on Till Morning: Essays on Autism Acceptance
ASAN created our first e-book, And Straight on Till Morning: Essays on Autism Acceptance, as part of our celebration of Autism Acceptance Month 2013. These collected writings, originally posted to our website, build on our tagline for Autism Acceptance Month — “Acceptance is an action.”
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/and-straight-on-till-morning-essays-on-autism-acceptance/
Roadmap to Transition: A Handbook for Autistic Youth Transitioning to Adulthood
ASAN partnered with the Family Network on Disabilities to produce Roadmap to Transition: A Handbook for Autistic Youth Transitioning to Adulthood. This plain language handbook was created to help young autistic people understand and plan for their transition to adult life.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/roadmap/
Accessing Home and Community-Based Services: A Guide for Self Advocates
ASAN partnered with the Autism NOW Center to produce Accessing Home and Community-Based Services: A Guide for Self Advocates. This handbook was designed to help people with disabilities find and use resources that empower us to live and be in charge of our own lives in our own homes and communities with the support that we need.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/accessing-hcbs/
Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking
The Loud Hands Project, a project of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, was funded through IndieGoGo to create an anthology titled Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking. Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking is a collection of essays written by and for Autistic people.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/loud-hands-autistic-people-speaking/
Reports & Brief Materials
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and Its Implications for Reproductive, Civil, and Disability Rights
https://autisticadvocacy.org/2022/06/dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization-and-its-implications-for-reproductive-civil-and-disability-rights/
https://autisticadvocacy.org/2022/06/dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization-and-its-implications-for-reproductive-civil-and-disability-rights/
Access, Autonomy, and Dignity: A Series on Reproductive Rights and Disability Justice
The reproductive health, rights, and justice movement and the disability justice movement have much in common. Both movements strive for bodily autonomy and the right of each person to make their own health care decisions, and share an understanding that these are deeply connected to dignity and equality.
https://nationalpartnership.org/report/access-autonomy-dignity/
For Whose Benefit?: Evidence, Ethics, and Effectiveness of Autism Interventions
There are many therapies for autism, along with a significant amount of funding for research, development, and implementation of these therapies. However, it often remains unclear whether these therapies actually help autistic people.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/intervention-ethics/
Benchmarks to Inclusion: Creating Core Principles to Facilitate Autistic Student Success in Higher Education
How can colleges and universities make sure autistic students succeed? For our white paper “Benchmarks to Inclusion: Creating Core Principles to Facilitate Autistic Student Success in Higher Education,” we brought together autistic college students to discuss what success looks like for autistic students, and how colleges can help them get there.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/benchmarks-to-inclusion/
ASAN’s Invitational Summit on Supported Decision Making and the Transition into the Community: Summary, Conclusions, Recommendations
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network held an Invitational Summit on Supported Decision-Making and the Transition to the Community on October 18th and October 19th, 2016.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/summit/
First-Hand Perspectives on Behavioral Interventions for Autistic People and People with other Developmental Disabilities
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Greater Boston prepared this report to provide personal perspectives on behavioral interventions for people with developmental disabilities.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/interventions/
The Affordable Care Act and the I/DD Community: An Overview of the Law and Advocacy Priorities Going Forward
As we grow closer and closer to the full implementation of the landmark health insurance law, many in the disability community are unfamiliar with how the Affordable Care Act will impact them.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/the-affordable-care-act-and-the-idd-community-an-overview-of-the-law-and-advocacy-priorities-going-forward/
The Case for Designating People with I/DD as MUP
There are millions of Americans with disabilities lacking adequate health care because of a lack of primary care providers who are properly trained to treat them.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/2014/04/the-case-for-designating-people-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities-as-a-medically-underserved-population/
Policy Analysis on the Revised Autism Criteria in the DSM-5
To promote greater community involvement and representation in the development of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), ASAN created two policy briefs discussing the proposed revisions to the definition of autism.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/dsm-5/
Keeping the Promise: Self Advocates Defining the Meaning of Community Living
The Centers for Medicare and. Medicaid Services invited public comment in 2011 on establishing minimum quality standards for providers of home and community based services (HCBS).
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/keeping-the-promise-self-advocates-defining-the-meaning-of-community-living/
Organ Transplantation and People with I/DD: A Review of Research, Policy and Next Steps
In respoOne Idea Per Line: A Guide to Making Easy Read Resourcesnse to numerous reports of discriminatory practices adversely impacting people with disabilities, ASAN has produced an analysis on discrimination against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities seeking organ transplants.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/organ-transplantation-and-people-with-idd-a-review-of-research-policy-and-next-steps/
The Transition to Adulthood for Youth with I/DD: A Review of Research, Policy and Next Steps
Youth with developmental disabilities face numerous challenges with regard to maintaining effective and continuous health care as they reach adulthood.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/healthcare-transition/
One Idea Per Line: A Guide to Making Easy Read Resources
This guide will help you write in Easy Read, an accessible format that uses pictures and easy-to-understand language. Creating resources in Easy Read helps make sure that all people with disabilities have the tools we need to understand and speak out about policy that affects our lives.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/accessibility/easyread/
Organ Transplantation and People with Disabilities: A Toolkit for State Advocates
ASAN has prepared a comprehensive toolkit to empower people with disabilities, their families, and other disability advocates to help combat disability-based discrimination in organ transplantation.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/organs/
ASAN Unveils Toolkit for Advocates on Health Care and the Transition to Adulthood
ASAN has prepared a comprehensive toolkit to empower people with disabilities, their families, and other disability advocates to help youth with disabilities manage their own health care as they transition to adulthood.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/2014/07/asan-unveils-toolkit-for-advocates-on-health-care-and-the-transition-to-adulthood/
ASAN Toolkit on Improving Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
ASAN has published a toolkit for advocates, families and administrators on how to ensure that people with disabilities receive Medicaid-funded Home and Community-Based Services in integrated settings that offer full access to the community.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/hcbs/
ASAN Resources on Coverage for Autism-Related Services
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is in the process of developing a series of resources for autistic people, our families, providers, and health plans on coverage for autism-related services. These services can include developmental approaches regarding social communication, sensory integration, emotional regulation, and adaptive skills.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/healthcoverage/
Autism & Safety Toolkit
Autistic people have the right to be safe and live independently in our communities. We also face significant threats to our safety, including higher rates of abuse, institutionalization, suicide, and police violence.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/safety/
Toolkits
What is Structural Racism?
When systems that people made discriminate against people because of their race, we call that structural racism. Structural racism is built into our systems — that means systems that are built racist, stay racist. While laws change, structural racism still exists in new and old ways.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/structuralracism/
HCBS Settings Rule Resources
The HCBS Settings Rule makes sure we have basic rights when we receive services. But before March 17th, 2023, a lot of people weren’t getting these basic rights. Now we have more power to challenge institutions and fight for our right to community living through learning about the Settings Rule! It’s important to know your rights so you can make full use of them!
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/hcbsrule-2/
Our Rights Under Threat: What Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Means for People with Disabilities
“Our Rights Under Threat: What Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization means for people with disabilities” takes the discussion a step further and examines the impact the decision will have on all of our rights.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/ourrights/
Autism Research and the IACC: Your voice matters!
It is more important than ever to make sure autism research reflects what matters to all of us. Make your voice heard by submitting a comment to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee before each meeting!
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/iacc/
Our Bodies, Our Rights: What’s Going On at the Supreme Court?
Bodily autonomy, privacy, and access to abortion all matter for people with disabilities. Now, an upcoming Supreme Court decision may threaten our rights.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/ourbodies/
Proud and Supported Series
There are many ways to identify. Everyone is different and that’s good! This guide, “Definitions and Beyond,” will explain some of the ways people identify.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/proud/
Foundations for Inclusive Advocacy
Everyone should be able to access and learn from conversations about systemic discrimination. But information about these concepts isn’t always presented in an accessible way.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/foundations/
Crisis in our Communities: Racial Disparities in Community Living
It’s important for people with disabilities to live in our communities. But it’s harder for disabled people of color to access community living. There are barriers.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/disparities/
“Who’s in Control?”: Control over community services for people with disabilities
In 1993, Roland Johnson, one of the founders of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered, gave a famous speech called “Who’s in Control?” In this speech, Johnson talked about how people with disabilities — not our service providers or staff — need to have control over our lives.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/in-control/
For Whose Benefit?: Evidence, Ethics, and Effectiveness of Autism Interventions
There are many therapies for autism, along with a significant amount of funding for research, development, and implementation of these therapies. However, it often remains unclear whether these therapies actually help autistic people.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/intervention-ethics/
A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Managed Long-Term Supports and Services
Many people with disabilities rely on long-term support and services (LTSS)—like job coaches, transportation help, and in-home helpers—to live independently. Managed care is one of the ways that states can run their LTSS programs.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/mltss/
Institutions: The Old, The New, and What We Should Do
People with disabilities do best when we live in our communities and make our own choices. All people with disabilities should have the support we need to live in the community — but many people with disabilities are still stuck in institutions.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/institutions/
A Self-Advocate’s Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. The disability community fought hard to get the ADA passed into law, and we continue to fight hard to protect it.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/ada/
What is Police Violence?: A plain language booklet about anti-Black racism, police violence, and what you can do to stop it
Standing against anti-Black police violence is a critical part of fighting for disability rights. With protests against police violence going on all over the country, we wanted to provide an accessible resource for learning about what is happening — and how all of us can help create change.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/police/
Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S.
On election day, people pick who they want to represent them in elected office. This process is an important part of life in the community. It matters because people who make policy decisions change our everyday lives.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/voting/
Follow the Money: The U.S. Budget and You
Every year, the U.S. government makes a budget. The federal budget decides how much money to spend on important things like Medicaid, roads to drive on, good schools, clean water, services for people with disabilities, and much more.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/budget/
Community Living Summit Resources
In May of 2018, the Community Living Policy Center (CLPC) asked ASAN to hold a self-advocate summit about community living. At the summit, autistic people talked about what living in the community means to us, and how we can help more people live in the community.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/community/
Real Work For Real Pay: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Employment Policy
There are many benefits to having a fulfilling job – and when we have the support we need, disabled people can succeed at jobs that pay well and bolster our self-confidence.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/employment/
A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Medicaid
Medicaid is the biggest health care program in the country. It’s an important part of the United States healthcare system. But a lot of the information out there about Medicaid and attempts to change it can be difficult to understand and navigate.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/medicaid/
Civic Engagement Toolbox For Self-Advocates
Right now, many people are getting involved in political advocacy for the first time. People are going to town hall meetings and making phone calls to their members of Congress.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/civic/
Affordable Care Act Toolkit for Self-Advocates
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made it easier to get health insurance for all Americans, including those of us with disabilities.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/aca/
The Right to Make Choices: International Laws and Decision-Making by People with Disabilities
Are you a person with a disability? Do you have a right to make choices in your life? Are you under guardianship? Does your guardian make choices for you that you don’t want?
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/choices/
Accessibility Resources
One Idea Per Line: A Guide to Making Easy Read Resources
This guide will help you write in Easy Read, an accessible format that uses pictures and easy-to-understand language.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/accessibility/easyread/
Community Living Summit Resources
In May of 2018, the Community Living Policy Center (CLPC) asked ASAN to hold a self-advocate summit about community living. At the summit, autistic people talked about what living in the community means to us, and how we can help more people live in the community.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/briefs/community/#inclusive
Accessibility Resources
An important theme that self-advocates talked about at the Community Living Summit was the importance of being included in meetings about policies that affect us. With this resource, you can learn how to do a better job including autistic people in meetings.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/accessibility/#planning-accessible-and-inclusive-organizing-trainings-strategies-for-decreasing-barriers-to-participation-for-people-with-i-dd
Color Communication Badges
Color Communication Badges are an accommodation to support social interaction for people with a variety of disabilities and communication needs.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/accessibility/#color-communication-badges
Holding Inclusive Events: A Guide to Accessible Event Planning
Does your self-advocacy organization have events? Do you or your self-advocacy organization want to learn how to make your events accessible to people with disabilities? This guide has the instructions to set up accessible events and conferences.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/accessibility/#holding-inclusive-events-a-guide-to-accessible-event-planning
Increasing Neurodiversity in Disability and Social Justice Advocacy Groups by Jessica M. F. Hughes, Ph.D.
People with disabilities are underrepresented in social justice groups. Even disability advocacy groups tend to exclude members of the disability community, particularly those with mental and cognitive disabilities and those belonging to non-dominant groups, such as people in LGBTQ communities and people of color.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/accessibility/#white-paper-increasing-neurodiversity-in-disability-and-social-justice-advocacy-groups-by-jessica-m-f-hughes-ph-d
Autistic Access Needs: Notes on Accessibility
Looking for ways to meet the access needs of Autistic individuals? Do you wish to avoid dropping the ball at your function, get-together, or meeting?
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/accessibility/#autistic-access-needs-notes-on-accessibility
Anti-Filicide Toolkit
In the past five years, over 570 people with disabilities have been murdered by their parents, relatives or caregivers.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/anti-filicide/
Self-Advocacy
PADSA Resources
The Pacific Alliance on Disability Self-Advocacy (PADSA) was a project run by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. We assisted self-advocacy groups in California, Oregon, Washington and Montana with technical assistance and training.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/padsa/
Welcome to the Autistic Community
This book is about what it means to be a part of the autistic community. Autistic people wrote this book. Some autistic people are just learning about their autism. We wanted to welcome them and give them a lot of important information all in one place.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/book/welcome-to-the-autistic-community/
Accessing Home and Community-Based Services: A Guide for Self Advocates
ASAN partnered with the Autism NOW Center to produce Accessing Home and Community-Based Services: A Guide for Self Advocates. This handbook was designed to help people with disabilities find and use resources that empower us to live and be in charge of our own lives in our own homes and communities with the supports that we need.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/books/accessing-hcbs/
The Right to Make Choices: New Resource on Supported Decision-Making
Are you a person with a disability? Do you have a right to make choices in your life? Are you under guardianship? Does your guardian make choices for you that you don’t want? Do you have the support that you need to make decisions about where to live, what to do, how to spend money, or when to see a doctor?
https://autisticadvocacy.org/2016/02/the-right-to-make-choices-new-resource-on-supported-decision-making/
Getting and Advocating for Community-Based Housing
One goal of disability rights advocacy is to make sure that all disabled people are able to live:
• in their own homes
• within the community.
But in today’s world, a lot of housing for disabled people doesn’t meet this goal.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/FND-community-based-housing-non-FL.pdf
Get Registered to Vote!
One of the ways to change policy for good is to vote.
https://autisticadvocacy.org/vote/#su_heading-styleline-dark-size18learn-more-about-voting-su_heading
AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit
The resources on this site are meant to improve the healthcare of autistic adults. They were made by the Academic-Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) through a series of research studies funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. AASPIRE hopes that you will find these resources helpful.
https://autismandhealth.org/
SARTAC - Self Advocacy and Beyond
In 2016, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), the oldest national self-advocacy organization in the country, was awarded a grant from the Administration for Community Living to establish the first-ever national Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC).
https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/about/who-we-are/
Office of Developmental Primary Care
In the late 1960's, only four percent of people with developmental disabilities (DD) lived in the community. Today, most individuals with DD have never been in an institution. The life expectancy of people with DD has increased dramatically.
https://odpc.ucsf.edu/
Real Talk: Improving Quality of Sexual Healthcare for Patients With Disabilities
https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/
Check real talk webinar powerpoint slides
RealTalk: Provider Toolkit
AUTISTIC SELF ADVOCACY NETWORK ASAN
What Do Providers Absolutely Need to Know?
https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/realtalk-toolkit-v2.pdf
Real Talk Improving Quality of Sexual Health Care for Patients with Disabilities
The result of this webinar is to help sexual health providers distribute their services to young people with disabilities in an accessible, inclusive way
Autism Speaks
The Autism Response Team (ART) is an information and referral support for the autism community. Our team members are Certified Resource Specialists through Inform USA and are specially trained to provide personalized information and resources to autistic individuals, families, service providers, and the community.
https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-response-team
The Lexington CDPHP Autism Resource Center
Located on the Transitions and Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts campus in Mayfield, NY, this center includes a library of books and references on autism, computer kiosks for autism research and current literature and periodicals related to autism support.
The Arc Lexington
A private, non-for-profit agency providing a wide range of services to adults and children with developmental disabilities in Fulton, Albany and Schoharie Counties.
https://thearclexington.org
Lexington Family Services Program
Providing supports for families caring at home for a family member with a disability. Services take place in the family’s home, Respite, Day Hab, Community Hab, Residential, ELA, after school and holidy programs, clinical nursing services and more in the community or at a Lexington facility.
https://thearclexington.org/family-supports
American Autism Association
The American Autism Association is a not for profit organization dedicated to helping families and individuals affected by autism, while increasing awareness of the varied difficulties individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder face.
https://www.myautism.org/
Autism Society
The Autism Society’s goal is to increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by people with autism as well as their families and the professionals with whom they interact.
https://www.autism-society.org/
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks Inc. is the largest autism advocacy organization in the United States. It sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public.
https://www.autismspeaks.org/
National Autism Association
The mission of the National Autism Association is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential.
https://nationalautismassociation.org/
National Autism Center
A nonprofit organization dedicated to disseminating evidence-based information about the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), promoting best practices, and offering comprehensive and reliable resources for families, practitioners, and communities.
https://www.nationalautismcenter.org/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Autism Spectrum Disorder Information Page
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Autism-Spectrum-Disorder-Information-Page
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
Promotes safe, effective, science-based treatments for people with autism by disseminating accurate, timely, and scientifically sound information, advocating for the use of scientific methods to guide treatment, and combating unsubstantiated, inaccurate and false information about autism and its treatment.
https://asatonline.org/
Autism National Committee
AUTCOM is the only autism advocacy organization dedicated to “Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism” through a shared vision and a commitment to positive approaches.
http://autcom.org
Autism Research Foundation
Helps advance the biological understanding of autism by pursuing research on its cause and potential treatments
https://www.autism.org/
Autism Science Foundation
The Autism Science Foundation’s mission is to support autism research by providing funding and other assistance to scientists and organizations conducting, facilitating, publicizing and disseminating autism research.
https://autismsciencefoundation.org/
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Information on Autism Spectrum Disorder
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
Child Neurology Foundation
Connects partners from all areas of the child neurology community so those navigating the journey of disease diagnosis, management, and care have the ongoing support of those dedicated to treatments and cures.
https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/
Autism Spectrum Connection
Provides resources for families, and medical professionals who deal with the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, Autism , and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
National Institutes of Health/US Dept. of Health and Human Services
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism
National Institute of Mental Health
Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml
American Psychiatric Association
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. While autism is considered a lifelong disorder, the degree of difficulty in functioning because of these challenges varies between individuals with autism.
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism
National Autism Resources
We at National Autism Resources are dedicated to providing support to the Autism community by offering a variety of free resources for parents and teachers.
https://nationalautismresources.com/
Autism Spectrum Disorders - Family Resources
At Children’s National, we understand that families have many questions about their child’s condition and care. In addition to any resources your provider may give you, our online resources can also support your ongoing treatment journey. View our parent resource booklet or other resources below as you navigate your child's healthcare journey.
https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorders/family-resources
Autism Online Resources
Danya International developed and evaluated a number of educational presentations for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the caregivers, professionals and advocates who work with them.
https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorders/family-resources/autism-online-resources
CASD’s Current Research Studies
The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) conducts a variety of research studies, investigating the genetic, neurocognitive, behavioral, gender-related and social factors associated with autism. We are always seeking participants, including both children on the autism spectrum as well as typically-developing peers.
https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorders/family-resources/casds-current-research-studies
CASD Chat: Electronic Newsletter
CASD Chat, our electronic newsletter, offer topics of interest for families and service providers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorders/family-resources/casd-chat
“Learn the Signs. Act Early” Program
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) "Learn the Signs. Act Early" Program aims to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities so children and families can get the services and support they need.
https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorders/family-resources/learn-the-signs-act-early
As the leading pediatric health system in the Washington, D.C., area, we are dedicated to caring for children and our community.
https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorders/family-resources/autism-spectrum-disorders-reading-list