|
Autism Resources Provided by The Arc
One out of every 110 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In New York, recent estimates place the prevalence rate at 1 out of 151. Autism Spectrum Disorders are reported to occur in all socioeconomic groups, yet are, on average, 4 to 5 times more likely to occur in boys than in girls. If 4 million children are born in the United States every year, approximately 36,500 children will eventually be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Commonly Asked Question: How can I arrange for a developmental screening for my child?
To begin the process of completing a developmental evaluation for your child, talk to your child’s doctor about obtaining a referral for a full developmental screening. Remember that while your child’s doctor can make a referral, Early Intervention teachers and therapists can also help parents approach the subject of a developmental disability. School officials and educators are also able to make referrals for older students.
A true developmental evaluation should be conducted by a developmental specialist. Doctors can perform developmental screenings to check if children are reaching appropriate milestones, but only evaluations done by a developmental specialist can diagnose a developmental disability and are preferred by the state for eligibility and academic purposes.Developmental evaluations can be completed by the Andrew J. Kirch Developmental Center in Rochester, NY. The Kirch Center also has a Southern Tier office located in Horseheads, NY. The scheduling of the screening can take 6-8 months, so it is recommended that once a referral is given, the parent also contact the Andrew J. Kirch Developmental Services Center and request to begin the necessary paperwork and get an appointment scheduled while the referral is in process.
Parents may ask to be put on a cancellation notification list; so that the appointment can be moved up if a spot becomes available. To speed up the process, parents may also request an initial screening by a psychologist with a follow up appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician. The Early Childhood Direction Center is a resource for assistance with this process. Visit their website here.
Tips:
-
Make copies of any documentation that you collect from Early Intervention services, Schools, therapists, etc. and share at the developmental screening or send along with the intake paperwork. Always keep the original paperwork.
-
The Autism NOW Center (visit website)
The Arc of Schuyler, through its affiliation with The Arc nationally, is pleased to be able to offer resources and information on Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Autism NOW Center, an initiative of The Arc,is the nation’s source for information on community-based solutions for individuals with autism, other developmental disabilities, and for their families.This is adynamic, interactive, highly visible and effective central point of quality resources and information for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, their families, and other targeted key stakeholders.Webinars and other technological tools are available to make information more accessible. Click here to visit the Autism NOW website or bookmark www.autismnow.org and check back often for information and resources related to autism that families, individuals and professionals at home, on the job, in the classroom or in the community may find useful. You can also find a link to Autism NOW on the right side of our website.
Additional Resources
The Arc of Schuyler has pulled together the following additionalresources to parents, professionals and interested individuals related to Autism. Please feel free to contact us directly for more personalized discussions.
Social Networking
Websites
- Autism NOW: The National Autism Resources & Information Center
- Autism Society: Improving the Lives of All Affected by Autism Autism Society: Greater Capital Region, New York
- Autism Today
- Asperger's Syndrome in Children and Teens: (recommended by parents): This is a very positive site that addresses sensory issues and solutions, social stories, nutrition, therapies, sleep isssues, girls on the spectrum, and much more.
- First Signs
- John Elder Robison (recommended by parents)
- Monroe #1 BOCES Cheat Sheets
- NY-ACTS: An Initiative for Adults and Children on The Autism Spectrum: This site offers information specific to New York State. Sections of this Website deal with frequently asked questions, detection, intervention and support services. The site also provides information on news and announcements, events and training and laws that people need to be aware of in supporting people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- NYS Parental Information and Resource Center (recommended by parents)
- OASIS at MAAP (recommended by parents): The Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS) center has joined with MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome to create a single resource for families, individuals, and medical professionals who deal with the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder / Not Otherwise Specified (PDD/NOS).
- S-O-S (Social Other School) (recommended by parents)
- A Parent'ts Guide to Special Education(recommended by parents)
- Temple Grandin (recommended by parents): Lists where to attend one of her speaking engagements, answers questions, etc...
- The Gray Center (recommended by parents): Carol Gray developed Social Stories™ and Comic Strip Conversations strategies that are used worldwide with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
- The Watson Institute (recommended by parents): A great source for pre-written, printable social stories and other information.
Books
- All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome by Kathy Hoopman
- A Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood
- Asperger's Syndrome, A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Tony Attwood
- A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism by Sally Ozonoff, PhD, Geraldine Dawson, PhD, and James McPartland, PhD
- Be Different: Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian with Practical Advice for Aspergians, Misfits, Families & Teachers by John Elder Robison
- Emergence: Labeled Autistic by Temple Grandin
- I Want To Be Like You: Life With Asperger's Syndrome
- Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's
- My Brother Charlie
- Quirky Kids; Understanding and Helping Your Child who Doesn't Fit In by Perr Klass, M.D. and Eileen Costello, M.D
- The Way I See It, Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's by Temple Grandin
- The Best Kind of Different; Our Family's Journey with Asperger's Syndrome by Shonda and Curt Shilling (a three time World Series winning pitcher)
- The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray
- The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism by Temple Grandin
- Thinking In Pictures: and Other Reports from My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin
Tools
Newsletters and Blogs
iPad, iPhone, iPod Apps
- My Healthy Smile (recommended by parents): My Healthy Smile shows a scenario with a dentist office and a house. By touching any of them, you move on to a menu where you can choose the social story that interests you. If you have selected “at home,” there will be five social stories about taking care of your teeth at home by brushing, flossing, eating healthy, feeling good about your smile, and what happens when you lose a tooth “I bought this one for my daughter and we used the app together every day for about a week before her last cleaning, and she was practically a "pro" at getting her teeth cleaned.” – Parent
- Autism Apps by Touch Autism (recommended by parents): This app is a free download and it contains a comprehensive list of the apps that are out there for people with Autism, Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. The list is constantly being updated with the newest apps. The apps are categorized by area of interest, including Applied Behavior Analysis, Alphabet, Art, Assessments, Behavior and Social Skills, Books, Cause and Effect, Choice Making, Communication, Creative Play, Data Collection, Fine Motor Skills, Flash Cards, Fun and Games, Geography, IEP, Literacy, Math, Medical, Music, Numbers, Professionals, Puzzles, Reference, Reward Systems, Self Care, Sensory, Social Stories, Speech and Language, Text to Speech, Time, Visual Schedules, Visual Times, and Vocabulary. This app can save you a lot of search time. Free Download.
- Autism Plugged In (recommended by parents): A list of apps and games for the ipad, ipod, and iphone for people on the autism spectrum, as well as a review of each app. Jack Kieffer is a blogger from Chicago who is also a volunteer for kids with special needs. Autism Plugged In is a place where he combines his passion for gadgets with his desire to assist children with Autism.
- Autism Apps by Autism Speaks
|
'
