* * *Autism Links* * *

I have grouped them roughly: general links, medical/theraputic, commercial, local (Chicagoland), personal pages (people with autism), and legal/advocacy. Please email me if you know of a terrific link, or one of the ones below isn't working. I have lots more that I mean to add when I have more time... (You know how that goes, right?)

General Links

* * *Schafer Autism Report -- THE most informative newsletter you could get; everything from general-interest news to research extracts. Go subscribe right now!

http://iautistic.com, Autism resources by a Singapore autistic who has accepted Humanity. Includes free autism tests, games, videos, books, art, resources & explainations about autism

Speech Kids Texas Press, Inc.: New children's illustrated bilingual (English/ Spanish) autism book series. [What a fabulous idea!]

Autistichat, "A nice friendly place for people with autism and related disorders such as PDD, and Asperger's Syndrome, as well as parents, friends, family and care professionals to communicate."

Autism Research Institute, "Providing information about autism to parents and professionals, and conducts research on the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions." Some of Dr. Bernard Rimland's essays and articles can be found here.

Center for the Study of Autism "Providing information on various topics related to or about autism."

CAN, Cure Autism Now, "an organization of parents, physicians, and researchers, dedicated to promoting and funding research with direct clinical implications for treatment and a cure for autism."

The Autism Treatment Center of America, "Teaching parents and professionals caring for children and adults challenged by Autism how to design and implement home-based/child-centered programs."

Advice to parents who discover their child is autistic.

NAAR -- National Alliance for Autism Research

Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Doug Flutie, NFL quarterback, and his wife, Laurie, began this foundation (named for his son who has autism). Their mission? "To provide funding for services for financially disadvantaged families who need assistance in caring for their autistic children. To fund research and education into the causes and consequences of childhood autism. To serve as a clearinghouse and communications center for new and innovative programs and services developed for autistic children."

Autism Resources Information and links regarding the developmental disabilities autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

The Autism Society of America Home Page "The mission of the ASA is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community."

Autism Society of America Store Front, where a percentage of every purchase goes to the ASA. "Your purchase in our MarketPlace will help the Autism Society of America continue to provide lifelong opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum."

Living with autism One mom's resources, with information on homeschooling kids with autism

Family Voices Home Page "Family and Friends speaking on behalf of children with special health care needs" (not limited to autism)

WebED, Inc. "WebED offers online professional development to K-12 teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals. Our courses are self-guided, self-paced, and available at your convenience -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." (This is where the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation helps to educate parents and others.)

ICDL Homepage Interdisciplinary Council on Learning and Developmental Disorders -- "Its aim is to improve the identification, prevention and treatment of developmental and learning disorders."

Division TEACCH - Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped CHildren (A marvelous resource for communication. Also en Español)

Preschool Education.Com Lots of classroom related material that is also useful to parents.

Tinsnips Special Education Resources

autism and learning disability child education "Activities to promote independence in individuals with special learning needs."

The Autism Source "Maap Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families of More advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)."

Autism Online "Linking parents to support, education, research and products in their own language." Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, Korean and French resources!

Team CAN, Racing for a Cure for Autism (from the 2003 press release) "INDIANAPOLIS, In. (April 4, 2003)--- Kelley Racing is pleased to announce the entry of car No. 32, sponsored by the Cure Autism Now Foundation and HomeMed Pharmacy, for rookie driver Tony Renna for the 87th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, 2003."

Team USA (Cycle USA) "To understand and solve autism."

Autism and Computing "Its aim is to explore ways of helping people with autism to lead fulfilling lives."

Autism Graphics Free to use with credit given.

Vaccines

"The Truth About Vaccines" is a site that a man has put together with information he's receiving from a doctor researching the mercury/autism link in Germany.

V.I.A.L. website

Medical/Theraputic Links

ABA Educational Resources Ltd.: "There are lots of free downloads that can be used for an ABA program. There is also a message board for people looking for work or needing to hire a therapist."

Joe Schedule: "Online Activity Schedules and Visual Supports for Autism/PDD. Affordable software for your AVB/ABA intensive teaching. eBook -- Activity Schedule Ideas: A How To Guide"

ABA Flashcards: Designed for children on the autism spectrum, and are "clear, simple, and to-the-point!"

Music Therapy: The Power of Music: "Examines the power of using popular music, something people already listen to, in therapy. Includes examples of therapeutic messages in popular music as well as original music by Freudian Slip, therapeutic rock band."

ABA Resources Maintained by a mother with a child on the spectrum, free downloads as well as useful information about ABA programs.

Sensory Integration International "To promote knowledge of Sensory Integration and its impact on people's lives."

CARD/Gainesville Visual Supports

How to Use Visual Supports to Help People with Autism

Talk, Learn and Communicate Outline for visually cued instruction

American Music Therapy Association Their mission: "to advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world."

autism-diet.com Introduction to the gluten/casein-free diet and tips on implementing it.

Kirkman Laboratories Manufacturers of nutritional supplements for people with autism.

Dr. William Crook's webpage has some information about the connection between Candida albicans and autism. (I had the opportunity to speak to him; he's a very nice man, and very helpful. I hope you'll visit his site.) He is the author of several books, The Yeast Connection Handbook is only one of them.

The GFCF Diet (Gluten Free Casein Free)

Pfeiffer Treatement Center In Warrenville, IL (near Naperville); they work to balance nutritional deficiencies in people with autism (and more).

Floor Time Dr. Greenspan's method and how to implement it.

Commercial Links

Snazzarootoys: A couple who's worked with autistic children for 20 years has combined their love for kids and toys in one place.

I Love a Child with Autism: Merchandise to promote awareness.

Sensory Integration to Schools, Homes and Businesses An OT-focused business

Don Johnston Learning Interventions

Different Roads to Learning

Pyramid Educational Consultants Inc. Home Page PECS products

PPP Enterprises, Inc. "We provide fun parenting products and professional insights for home, school, or anywhere... products that are geared to all kids and adults, as well as people with special needs."

Jessica Kingsley Publishers An English publisher with a large catalog of books of interest to parents and therpists.

Future Horizons "World leader in Autism/Asperger's/PDD Publications" They even publish a magazine: Autism/Asperger's Digest.

Abilitations products for people with special needs (lots of sensory stuff)

Southpaw Enterprises therapy equipment

Theragifts Sensory Diet products

KidAccess visual supports "Eye-Cons" (Boardmaker compatible)

Discovery Toys "Discovery Toys are excellent educational toys, books, & software for all ages - items are lifetime guaranteed and created by child development experts! Excellent for everyone especially for children with special needs."

Dragonflytoys.com Store - Special Needs Toys

Children's Books about Autism, illustrated by the author's brother with autism

Chicagoland Links

South Suburban Special Recreation Association (South Suburban Chicago, IL, that is.)

Illinois Center for Autism

Illinois Autism Resources

NPIN/Illinois: STARnet Region VI

Fundraising/Charity Events

(Please email me if there are events in your area! The more people who know, the more money we can raise!)

I Run/Walk for Autism Research Matteson, IL (South Suburban Chicago) charity race 5K (now in June)

Buckley 5 Miler Another charity race; this one's in Lowell, IN Saturday, July 26 2003

Arts for Autism Purchase a charity CD and more!

Marino Lookout Farm 5K Road Race Held in Doug Flutie's hometown (Cambridge, MA) in May

Personal Pages (people with autism)

Ooops... Wrong Planet! A personal page by a woman (with Asperger's Syndrome) and her two sons (one "autistic," the other with Asperger's). A HUGE number of links.

Legal/Advocacy

Wrightslaw - Special Education Law (This is a good one to know - your rights in special education.)

Autism National Committee An advocacy organization for (US) citizens with autism. Of special note: their page on "Red Flags"and Rules of Thumb for Evaluating Treatments.

Mothers From Hell 2 - Advocacy For the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities Organization

Congressional Coalition for Autism Research and Education Get involved with government, and be a voice for your child there.