Commonwealth
Autism Services, (800) 649-8481
www.autismva.org
Provides leadership in the implementation of a statewide system of
services to maximize the potential and quality of life of Virginians with autism.
Virginia Autism Resource Center (VARC)
(877)
667-7771 or (804) 674-8888, x 5161
www.grafton.org
The VARC is a program of Grafton. It provides training, individual case consultation, and
information to families and professionals working with individuals with autism in Virginia.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks, an awareness and advocacy organization, just updated its week-by-week 100-day kit to help families navigate the days following an autism diagnosis. The kit includes advice on
how to build a team of therapists, keep accurate phone records and adapt your home to protect your child from his or her uncontrolled
behaviors. Also, Autism Speaks' video glossary has more than 100 video clips comparing the behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders
with the behavior of a typical child.
The Autism Society of America
The Autism Society of America, an awareness and advocacy organization, has support groups throughout the United States. To
find your local chapter, click here. The society has also partnered with AMC Entertainment to provide children affected by autism
the opportunity to watch hit movies in a sensory-friendly environment, with the lights turned up and the sound turned down.
To find a list of upcoming films in your city, click here.
The IAN Project
The
Interactive Autism Network boasts the largest online study in the U.S., connecting researchers with people and families
effected by autism. Its goal is to help further research and improve social services for people with autism. The site has
a variety of resources, including a glossary of terms related to autism.
Simons Foundation Autism Research Foundation
Simons Foundation Autism Research Foundation investigates the causes of autism. The site is geared largely toward researchers and scientists,
but it contains a regularly updated blog that parents can monitor to learn about the latest news and commentary on autism research.
First Signs
If you live near a major research university,
you can find out whether anyone is looking for children with autism for research studies. Sometimes, these universities will
provide care for your child as part of the study. First Signs, an awareness organization, has a list of researchers currently seeking study participants.
The U.S. Department of Education
When your child enters public school, he or she has rights under federal and state laws. The U.S. Department of Education has information about federal laws and state laws. You and your school district will come up with an Individual Education Plan. School districts
often have a Special Education Parent Teacher Association. Parents there can often give good advice on how to work with the
school district.
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
Any child younger than 3 with a developmental delay is eligible to receive services through Early Intervention,
a government-mandated program that provides services to eligible children. Services are free and vary from state to state,
but they may include speech and language instruction and occupational and physical therapy. To learn how to apply for Early
Intervention, click on this state-by-state directory from the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities and scroll down.
Wrightslaw Yellow Pages for Kids
With Disabilities
Early intervention is invaluable because it links parents to services
in the community, but Lisa Goring, mother of a child with autism and director of family services at Autism Speaks, warns that
parents may also have to search on their own, since it can be hard to find services without a long waiting list. "There
just aren't enough service providers for the kids who need them," Goring says. To find services on your own, wrightslaw.com,
which offers information about special education law and advocacy, has a Yellow Pages for Kids that lists providers.
Jobs 4 Autism
Jobs4autism is an online forum to help people with autism find employment. Employers can post job openings,
and users can post stories of successful and unsuccessful job experiences.
World
Autism Awareness Day
To find out how autism organizations
throughout the world are celebrating World Autism Awareness Day, check out this year's list of events. The site also includes materials for all parents with children about the eight red flags that may indicate your child has autism and should be screened by doctors.
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
www.ASATonline.org
