Autism Spectrum Disorders Links and Resources

Autism Advocacy Initiative (AAI) | ASD Education for Providers | ASD Links and Resources

Autism is a complex developmental disability that causes problems with social interaction and communication. Symptoms usually start before age three and can cause delays or problems in many different skills that develop from infancy to adulthood.

Different people with autism can have very different symptoms. Health care providers think of autism as a “spectrum” disorder, a group of disorders with similar features. One person may have mild symptoms, while another may have serious symptoms, but they both have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The page provides links to numerous autism spectrum disorder resources for providers, families, and advocates alike, including national and local organizations, support groups, facts sheets, and educational videos.

Illinois ASD Resources:

The Arc of Illinois – The Arc of Illinois is committed to empowering persons with disabilities to achieve full participation in community life through informed choices.

The Autism Program – (TAP) is a Statewide program with training centers in Chicago, Urbana, Springfield, Carbondale, and Normal as well as seven service centers. TAP centers provide resource rooms with books, tapes, and free visual supports, social skills groups, new diagnosis parent programs, technical assistance, information and referral plus much more. The TAP Web site allows users to search for services in their own communities.

Autism Society of Illinois – The Autism Society of Illinois (ASI) was founded more than 30 years ago for individuals with autism, parents, families, professional, corporate partners and friends. Our objective is to provide education, training, individual assistance and practical support for parents; increase public awareness of autism; offer a referral network of professionals.

Autism Society: Illinois Resources – Find information on your local Autism Society of Illinois chapter, events, community resources, advocacy, and more statewide.

Illinois Autism and Technical Assistance Project (IATTAP) is an initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and join other ISBE initiatives as part of the Illinois Statewide Technical Assistance Center (ISTAC) providing training and technical assistance to schools in Illinois. Has fact sheets and on-line training.

Local ASD Resources:

The Children’s Advocacy Project of Rockford – User-friendly, comprehensive listing of many social service agencies in the Rockford area that exist to improve the lives of families that need our help the most.

CU Autism Network – Champaign County area parent and professional support and networking group.

Family Resiliency Center – The local website for the Urbana TAP affiliate program.

Mornings of Fun – The Discovery Center invites children with disabilities and their immediate families to experience their multi-sensory exhibits and activities free of charge before the museum opens to the general public.

National ASD Resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics – Includes the AAP Autism Toolkit for providers, resources for parents, and audio of interviews with pediatricians, parents, and researchers.

Autism Link – Site for parents of children with ASD, offering message boards, chat rooms, and searchable list of providers and services.

Autism Society – General information about autism and life.

Autism Speaks – 100 day kit for Autism or Asperger syndrome – A personalized resource to assist families in getting through the critical time following an autism diagnosis

Autism Spectrum Disorders – National Institute of Mental Health resource on Autism symptoms, causes, and treatments, as well as information on getting help and coping.

Autism Watch – General information, diagnostic considerations, discredited theories, well-settled therapies, unsettled or investigational treatments, doubtful or discredited methods, etc

Center for Autism and Related Disorders – Under “Resources” there are downloadable pamphlets and brochures on topics such as toilet training, preventing tantrums, and improving eating habits.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Provides resources, data, and a bilingual fact sheet on Autism as well as information on vaccines.

Firstsigns.org - Videos of typical development and delayed development

Indiana Resource Center for Autism – Includes helpful articles on a variety of Autism-related topics, as well as workshops and online trainings.

Learn the Signs. Act Early. – The CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program aims to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. One of the components to the program is a health education campaign to promote awareness of healthy developmental milestones and tracking each child’s development. Some of the available materials include: Milestone Booklet for Parents, Milestone Brochure for Parents, Information Card for Healthcare Providers (to give to parents), Developmental Screening Factsheet (English/Spanish)

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities – Includes a downloadable Autism fact sheet in both English and Spanish and a list of resource by state.

TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication related handicapped CHildren) – Offers information on the medical aspects of autism, educational approaches, and communication approaches.

UW Autism Center – Provides a collection of online ASD tools and video from Washington state and around the country.

Wrights Law – Information about special education laws, rights, and advocacy.

Online ASD Trainings:

ASD Team Training – Autism Spectrum Institute at Illinois State University Workshop: This self-directed online course provides a basic level autism team training (non-credit).

The Autism Internet Modules (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence) – The Autism Internet Modules were developed to make comprehensive, up-to-date, and usable information on autism accessible and applicable to educators, other professionals, and families who support individuals with ASD. Written by experts from across the U.S., all online modules are free, and are designed to promote understanding of, respect for, and equality of persons with ASD.

Illinois Autism Training & Technical Assistance Project (IATTAP) – This video is a basic introduction to ASD appropriate for family members, school personnel including teacher assistants and general education staff as well as community members who want to learn about this increasingly prevalent disorder and basic effective strategies for interacting with individuals with ASD.

The National Training Center on Inclusion (NTCI) was established to support the overall mission of Kids Included Together (KIT) through training, technical assistance and resources of the highest quality for staff at all levels of experience. KIT’s National Training Center on Inclusion utilizes a combination of the latest technology coupled with live presentations by dynamic and experienced trainers and practitioners to support providers in welcoming children of all abilities.

Asperger Syndrome Resources:

The Gray Center is a center for social learning and understanding, offering stories, tools, and individual coaching services to assist with social interactions and skills.

Independent living on the Autistic Spectrum – an online support group for people with autism or related conditions, including but not limited to Asperger Syndrome, where those impacted by ASD come to make friends, and share practical experiences via e-mail.

Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support Website (OASIS) – Provides articles, educational resources, links to local, national and international support groups, sources of professional help, lists of camps and schools, conference information, recommended reading, and moderated support message boards

Wrong planet is a web community designed for individual with Asperger Syndrome, with discussion forums, articles and how-to guides, and a chat room for real-time communication with other Aspies.

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For more information or to suggest other ASD resources, contact:

Rachel Sacks, MPH
Manager, Early Childhood Development
Phone: 312/733-1026 ext 218
Fax: 312/733-1791
rsacks@illinoisaap.com