Community Resources

1. The Michigan Medicaid Autism Program Website – www.michigan.gov/autism
This website offers information on the Medicaid autism benefit, information on ASD, Resources for the Medicaid Benefit, Documents created by The Michigan Autism Council, information on ASD legislation, and information on the Michigan ASD State Plan, Michigan Autism Council information, and contact information on how to access the Medicaid ASD Benefit in each region throughout Michigan.

2. Pennsylvania Training and Technican Assistance Network (PaTTAN) – http://www.pattan.net/category/Educational%20Initiatives/Parent%20Information
The Pennsylvania training and technical assistance network (PaTTAN) is funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and although their focus is the state of PA, there are many resources that are relevant to families anywhere in the country. Information and resources include educational supports and services for students with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, and legal guidance related to special education law and regulations. Information is offered via video, free manuals, and handouts.

3. Autism Speaks Tool Kits – https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits
Autism Speaks has published 38 Tool Kits that focus on a variety of ASD related topics, including:: 100 Day Kit for children after they have been diagnosed, Advocacy Tool Kit, Behavior Health Treatment Took Kit, Blood Draw Tool Kit, Dental Tool Kit, Constipation Tool Kit, Medication Tool Kit, Feeding Tool Kit, EEG Tool Kit, Pica Tool Kit, Medication Decision Aid, ABA Guide, Toilet Training Guide, Puberty and Adole scents Guide, Sleep Tool Kit. Vision Exam Tool Kit, Visual Support Tool Kit, Challenging Behaviors Tool Kit, Community-Based Skills Assessment Tool Kit, Employment Tool Kit, Family Support Tool Kit, Housing and Community Living Tool Kit, IEP Tool Kit, etc. These tool kits are guides for families and providers to use that are written in easy format to understand.

4. Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) – www.asatonline.org
ASAT offers families: 1. ASAT provides comprehensive evidence-based research summaries of the full array of autism treatments for families and professionals to make informed choices before considering treatment options. 2. Provides recommendations on “recommended” evidence based treatments and those treatments that are “non-supported” based on the research base, including alternative treatments. 3. Help parents see the value of science in guiding treatment decision making. 4. Provide parents with things to consider and ask when choosing a behavioral provider. 5. Provide specific links for information on treatment targets (e.g., bowel training, measuring social skills, bolting). 6. Publish a free, email based quarterly newsletter summarizing new advances in ASD treatment and other ASD care relevant topics for parents and professionals. 7. Provide media watch summaries responding to accurate and inaccurate media coverage of ASD treatment.

5. Kennedy Krieger Institute Center for Autism – http://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/patient-care-centers/center-autism-and-related-disorders
The Kennedy Krieger Institute Center for Autism offers families: Clinical service provider of multidisciplinary evaluations, day treatment, and behavioral therapy for children with ASD in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Website provides information and support for families with a child with ASD. 1. Outreach initiative provides: a. Early signs of autism video tutorial; b. Physician webinar on medication management;  c. Sharing Treatment and Autism Resources (STAR) Parent & Professional Trainings with a web-based archive for all past trainings with resources; d. Annual autism conference. 2. Inspiring stories of treatment successes for children diagnosed with ASD: 3. Free guides and fact sheets: a. “Healthy Smiles for Autism” that helps parents teach children with ASD how to brush and floss with the help of step-by-step instruction, social stories, and visual sequencing cards that can be used wherever brushing happens. The guide also provides information to help parents prepare their children for a first dental visit. Free download at www.healthysmilesforautism.org; b. Coping with an autism diagnosis; c. Picture exchange communication factsheet; d. Visual aids factsheet; e. Sensory processing factsheet; f. Parent’s guide to research.

6. Center for Disease Control (CDC) – http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html , http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html, & http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/families.html
Website provides detailed information on ASD on the following: 1. Facts, signs, causes of ASD; 2. Developmental milestone checklists (2 months to 5 years); 3. Screening and diagnosis; 4. Treatments; 5. Resources for living with ASD; 6. Data and statistics about ASD, including updated prevalence rates; 7. Free downloadable information on CDC’s ASD initiatives; 8. Links to CDC authored research on ASD;  9. Information on “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Campaign, including free downloads.

7. The Family Center – http://www.familycenterweb.org/
The primary role of the Family Center is to offer emotional support, information and connections to community-based resources to families of children and youth with special health care needs, including all children who have, or are at an increased risk for: physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions. Children do not have to be enrolled in CSHCS to receive services from the Family Center. The Family Center promotes coordinated systems of care that are family-centered, culturally competent and community-based by providing consultation related to programming, policies, direct family support initiatives, community education and collaborative partnerships.

8. The ARC – http://www.thearc.org/
National Arc website provides: 1. Planning information and support for families with a child, teen or adult with DD/ID.  Help families focus on the rights and inclusion of individuals with ID/DD. 2. Information and summaries on specific diagnosis (ASD, Intellectual Disability, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Shaken Baby Syndrome, 3. Public policy advocacy and support in areas relevant to ID/DD, such as legislation spanning issues of civil rights, education, health care, transportation, housing, and taxes.

9. The ARC of Michigan – http://www.arcmi.org/
Arc of Michigan website has free handouts for: 1. Guardianship options, 2. IEPT meeting guidelines, & 3. Respite care.

10. Local ARC Chapters – Local state, regional, and local chapters (Also many state, regional and local chapters (e.g., http://thearcoakland.org/, http://www.arcmi.org/chapters/detroit.county.htm, http://www.arc-detroit.org/, http://www.thearcnw.org/).  Most local chapters in Michigan are listed in the following chapter finder: http://www.arcmi.org/chapters/chapter.locator.htm
Local chapters of Arc vary in the direct services and training provided, but include: 1. Information and referral services, 2. Individual advocacy to address education, employment, health care and other concerns, 3. Self-advocacy initiatives, 4. Residential support, 5. Family support, 6. Employment programs, 7. Leisure and recreational programs

11. Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center (MI F2F) – https://f2fmichigan.org/
Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center (MI F2F) is part of a federally funded project.  We share information and resources on disability and health issues with families of children and youth with special health care needs. We also work with health and other professionals.  MI F2F helps families make educated decisions and supports families to partner with professionals. We work to make services for children and youth with special health care needs better.

12. Michigan Family Voices – http://michiganfamilyvoices.org/
Michigan Family Voices is a grassroots collaborative that exists to identify and mobilize current and new family member and individual leaders to create a network across the state that will impact and effect positive change in policy. The group will create and maintain a statewide network of leaders to inform, build relationships with and/or work in partnership with decision-makers at all levels.

13. Michigan Great Start – http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-6530_30334_51051-262889–,00.html
Provides families various resources (websites of trainings, educational information, etc) of services in the family’s local counties; 2. Collaborating for Success – Parent Engagement Toolkit (Updated 9/29/15); 3. Provides families within their local counties the opportunity to attend monthly meetings; 4.  Local activities for families to participate either monthly or yearly; 5. Helps parents find the best child care and preschool settings for their children and helps providers and educators improve the care they give to children.

14. The Autism Alliance of Michigan – https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/
Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is a statewide non-profit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for those with autism and their families through improved access to care, support and services, advocacy, and community inclusion. AAoM’s MiNavigator program (navigator@aaomi.org or 877-463-AAOM) is a free, professional service to individuals and their families, regardless of age or issue/barrier they may be facing throughout the lifespan. Credentialed staff include Speech Pathologists, a BCBA, Educator, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, attorneys, and several MSWs. Family trainings include; 1) Community & Family Safety Training, 2) IEP Process: Empowering Parents through the Special Education Process, 3) Fostering Artistic Talent and Expression through the Arts, 4) Facilitating Community and Peer Interaction, 5) Apps, Tech, Alternative & Support Communication, 6) Basic Insurance Navigation for Families, 7) Obtaining Guardianship and Planning for Adulthood, 8) Individual and Group “Job Ready” Preparation and Employment, 9) Bootcamp for Families Receiving an Autism Diagnosis, 10) Behavior Basics for Parents.

15. The Beach Center – www.beachcenter.org
The Beach Center on Disability is an affiliate of the Life Span Institute and The Department of Special Education within the University of Kansas. It is a multidisciplinary research and training center committed to making a significant and sustainable positive difference in the quality of life of individuals and families affected by disability and the professionals who support them. The center values setting great expectations for those with disabilities, acknowledging their positive contributions and strengths, promoting their autonomy, building their relationships and alliances and instilling their full citizenship. The center’s work has been conducted in more than 29 countries and throughout the United States. Since its founding in 1988, it has (a) conducted research, (b) carried out training and technical assistance, and (c) provided international, national, state, regional, and local leadership and service. All of this is done in collaboration with families with disabilities, individuals with disabilities, the professionals and policy leaders who serve families and individuals, and members of their respective communities. The Beach Center’s website focuses on Families, Knowledge-to-Action Guides, Disability Policy, Education and Training, and a Resource Library sorted by type, author, topic, and disability (intellectual, emotional and behavioral, autism, health impairments, early childhood intervention, deaf-blind, developmental).

16. The Color of Autism – http://www.thecolorofautism.org/
The Color of Autism is a Non-Profit (501 c3) organization committed to educating and assisting African American families with children with autism. It was founded in 2009 by a parent whose son was diagnosed with ASD and struggled to get services. African-American children are frequently confronted with late diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Many misdiagnosed and undiagnosed African American children in at risk communities end up in the criminal justice system each year. The Color of Autism Foundation is devoted to empowering African American Families and Underserved Communities by creating programs that lessen their isolation and help them thrive. It is committed to ensuring that all people with autism receive appropriate, effective services and training to maximize their growth potential. The Color of Autism knows that African American Autism Support is vital to the development of underserved children. Its goal is to help families identify the warning signs of autism early on and to overturn disparities by helping African-Americans with autism. It seeks to empower families with information on autism that they can use to advocate services for their child. The non-profit encourages volunteerism (becoming an ambassador that increases autism awareness in the African American Community), donations, and sponsorship (providing iPads to non-verbal and limited-verbal children).