Autism Links
Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
OAR is the non-profit organization responsible for creating Operation Autism. OAR uses applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers confront daily. OAR also creates and distributes free resources for families, educators, and self-advocates on topics including sibling support, assessment, peer education, transitioning to adulthood/college, and more. All of OAR’s resources can be downloaded or ordered in hard copy here.
Advocacy, Community, and General Information
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
ASAT is a not-for-profit organization of parents and professionals committed to improving the education, treatment, and care of people with autism through advocating for the use of scientific methods to guide treatment, and combating unsubstantiated, inaccurate and false information about autism and its treatment.
ASA promotes community involvement of individuals with autism spectrum disorders through education, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns. The ASA Web site lists state and local chapters and provides resources for parents, including legislative information, and answers to frequently asked questions from parents about autism spectrum disorders.
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
ASAN is a nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. They fight for the civil rights of autistic people and share opportunities for others to get involved in their advocacy. They also have produced a number of toolkits and other publications for autistic self-advocates.
Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network (AWN)
AWN is a nonprofit organization that is committed to supporting autistic women and nonbinary people through their publications and educational events, community, and other resources.
The Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)
AANE is a nonprofit organization that provides information geared to autistic people of all ages and their families. They offer support groups for both autistic people and others (including parents, siblings, and partners) and offer both text and video resources.
Autism Now, a project of The Arc, is a resource hub for autistic people and their families. They offer a variety of resources related to school, work, community, and other aspects of life.
Autism Speaks’ website provides general information about autism, research, and resources for support and offers some excellent resources for parents and educators.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)
Previously, National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY). Provides a directory to over 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the United States. These centers provide direct services and information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth; special education legislation, and research-based information on effective educational practices. You can find your local Parent Center on this page.
A Guide for Families of Children with Autism
Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law offers this article a helpful guide for families of children with autism. It provides insights into diagnosis, treatment options, and supportive services while highlighting legal and educational resources to help families navigate the challenges of autism and advocate effectively for their child’s needs.
Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP)
STOMP offers virtual workshops for military parents with disabled children on accessing services through TRICARE, ECHO, and other military programs. These workshops also allow families to connect with one another and build a community. STOMP also runs a Facebook group with similar aims that can be found here.
The National Autism Center (NAC) at the May Institute is a non-profit organization that provides reliable information and offers resources for people affected by autism spectrum disorders. The NAC supports evidence-based treatment approaches and shares the results with families. In 2009, NAC completed and published the National Standards Project, which evaluated and categorized autism interventions and therapies.
The National Autistic Society
A charity in the UK that helps advocate for the rights and interest of all people with an autism spectrum disorder. This society provides help, support and services. This website contains information about autism spectrum disorders as well as various services and activities in the United Kingdom.
The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC)
NPDC works to develop free professional resources for teachers, therapists, and technical assistance providers who work with individuals with ASD. Resources include detailed information on how to plan, implement, and monitor specific evidence-based practices. Among these resources is Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM), a series of free online modules on planning, using, and monitoring evidence-based practices.
Media
Autism Parenting Magazine is a digital magazine that offers informative articles for parents and families of autistic children. The magazine is subscription-based, but they also have a free blog.
Education
Accommodations for Students with Autism – JustGreatLawyers
This webpage goes over some of the most common terms and concepts that parents encounter when trying to advocate for their child’s education. It goes over the legal basis for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), homeschooling, education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), and other options for students with autism.
Guide to Starting College as a Student with Autism
This resource breaks down ways to prevent several challenges for students making the transition to college. Access this resource to unlock strategies that can help students succeed at college.
The Ultimate Resource Guide for STEM Students With Autism
This article details the opportunities that exist for autistic students in STEM fields and the benefits of STEM for autistic students. It includes a list of programs and strategies that can help autistic students learn about different STEM fields.
A New School: Easing the Transition – Autism Awareness Centre
This article shares advice for preparing an autistic student to start at a new school.
Autism Spectrum and Online College – TheBestSchools.org
This article provides a list of suggested accommodations for autistic college students. It is geared toward online learning, but some suggestions apply to in-person learning too.
How to Support Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder – Accredited Schools Online
This webpage provides an overview of how teachers can support autistic students and provides other resources for parents and caregivers of autistic youth.
Navigating the Special Ed Evaluation Process – Partners in PROMISE
This guide from Partners in PROMISE, an organization devoted to protecting the rights of military children in the special education system, offers step-by-step guidance for families navigating the process of being evaluated for special education services.
Health & Wellness
Guide to Better Sleep for Kids with Autism – SleepJunkie
This detailed guide explains common reasons for sleep disturbances in individuals with autism and suggests modifications to the individuals’ routines and environment that could help them sleep.
Autism and Sleeping Problems – Patterns and Disorders Explained – SleepAdvisor
This article explains common sleep disorders that autistic people experience and provides tips for parents of autistic children as well as for autistic adults.
How To Get Kids With Autism To Bed – SleepAdvisor
This article provides tips for parents of autistic children for establishing a bedtime routine and making bedtime easier.
Autism and Sleep: Empowering Children with ASD for Better Sleep – SlumberYard
This article explains how autism may impact a child’s sleep and provides tips for parents to help their children get better sleep.
This guide offers tips and strategies for managing dental visits for autistic children, as well as an explanation of why trips to the dentist may pose specific challenges for autistic people.
Telehealth: Tips for Helping Kids With Autism Take Part – HealthDay
This guide provides tips for families to support their autistic children when doctor’s appointments occur through video-based platforms instead of in-person visits.
Making Doctors’ Appointments Autism-Friendly – Autism Parenting Magazine
This article offers tips for parents of autistic children to share with their child’s doctors. These tips can help the child’s doctors most effectively provide medical care.
The Best Strategies for Calming Autistic Tantrums and Meltdowns – Harkla
This article explains the differences between a tantrum and a meltdown, provides strategies for calming both tantrums and meltdowns, and offers a sensory toolkit to help prevent meltdowns and support autistic children’s sensory needs.
Parent’s Guide for Toilet Training Special Needs Kids – upflushTOILET.com
This guide offers tips for parents of children with disabilities, including autistic children, for how to approach toilet training when their child is ready.
Autistic Burnout: What It Is, Symptoms, & Recovery – Choosing Therapy
This article explains the causes and signs of autistic burnout and provides suggestions for preventing and recovering from it in different contexts.
NAMI Homefront Mental Health Resources – National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
These free mental health resources for caregivers, family members, and military service members and veterans were designed by NAMI to support increased understanding, communication, wellness and advocacy skills.
Navigating Healthcare for Children with Autism – NursingEducation
This guide aids in the navigation of a child’s healthcare needs. Written specifically with insight from nurses, this resource covers essential medical knowledge for parents and caregivers of children with ASD, including a guide for managing the diagnosis process, how to recognize early signs of autism in children, tips on how to advocate for your child in healthcare, and more.
A Guide to Dental Care for Children with Autism – Byte
This article provides tips for dental visits and ongoing oral health, geared specifically to parents of autistic children.
Home
Planning a Move with Autism – Your Storage Finder
This article details some of the ways in which families can alleviate the stress of moving into a new home for their autistic child or family member.
Autism Social Story: Preparing to Move to a New House – Kidmunicate
This article provides tips for moving and provides a social story for parents to use when explaining an upcoming move to an autistic child.
Sensory-Friendly Home Modifications for Autism – TurboTenant
In order to best support people with autism, there are a number of home modifications families can make. This guide covers reasons why you should consider modifying your home, what to evaluate before making any changes to your home, and potential modifications you can make, ranging from simple modifications to those at a higher price point.
Fully Accessible Guide to Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds and Playsets – The Backyartisan
This guide provides information about how to make a backyard playground or playset accessible to children with a variety of disabilities, including autism. While the guide is not autism-specific, many of the tips can apply depending on your child’s specific needs and experiences.
Sensory Room Ideas for Children With Autism – Apartment Guide
This post explains sensory sensitivities that many autistic people experience and provides detailed suggestions for how to create a sensory room in your home, as well as tips for what to do if you can’t create a sensory room.
Travel
This article covers some of the best ways to make travel safer, easier, and more fun for people with autism.
Travel Tips for Autistic Children – ACCEL
This article goes over some of the steps you can take to introduce your child with autism to the process of air travel.
The 10 Best Tips for Long Car Rides with Kids: Tips for Kids with Sensory Issues – CoordiKids
This post shares advice for supporting children’s sensory needs during long car trips.
Overcoming obstacles while traveling with ASD – Bankrate
This article shares travel tips for families of autistic children. It provides solutions to common challenges and covers pre-trip planning, traveling by car, and traveling by plane.
Peers and Peer Education
How to Explain Autism to Typical Kids – What to Expect
This article has helpful tips for explaining autism to neurotypical kids of all ages.
Ways to Help Your Child With Autism Fit In Socially – VeryWellHealth
Although the uniqueness of children with autism should be celebrated, giving them an increased awareness of social expectations and skills can reduce their stress in social situations. This article discusses some easy ways to accomplish this goal.
Safety
Tech Safety Guide for Parents of Children With ASD – Internet Service Providers
This article shares information about the ways that technology can be helpful for kids with autism. It also discusses the potential harmful effects of technology and what parents can do to mitigate them.
Parenting a child with Autism before/during/after a hurricane – CW39 Houston
This news report shares tips on hurricane preparedness and hurricane safety for autistic children and their families.
Teaching Safety Skills to Students with Autism – Autism Parenting Magazine
This article shares tips for parents and teachers about how to teach safety skills to autistic children. The tips span multiple different kinds of safety considerations.
Police Autism video – Southern Connecticut State University
This video gives advice to autistic drivers about what to do in a police stop for a minor traffic violation. It also gives advice to police officers about how to communicate with autistic drivers. The video also explains Connecticut’s “Blue Envelope” program for autistic drivers, but the rest of the video is applicable to those living or driving in any state.
Think Safety is a project of the Organization for Autism Research. There, you can find many other resources about autistic children’s safety in many different settings and contexts.
Fun
7 Rockin’ Sensory Play Activities for Kids on the Spectrum – We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
Sensory play can help to reduce anxiety and the risk of meltdowns for kids on the spectrum. This article provides some examples of sensory play activities that parents and teachers can coordinate.