Top 10 Autism Resources Every Parent Should Know About

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurological and developmental disabilities. ASD is complex, and symptoms of the condition differ from person to person. Since kids with ASD all have different symptom manifestations, the impacts of ASD on a family may vary. Autism resources can be essential for all affected individuals and families.

Caregivers and family members might run into concerns like difficulty finding therapy for a child, trouble accessing school and education resources, and unmet financial needs. If you're here, you may want to learn more about ASD, meet other parents of kids with ASD, or find out about ways to advocate for and support your child in different areas of life.

This article will provide a comprehensive overview of ten types of Autism resources, including but not limited to national organizations, local resources, and how to find services like therapy, financial assistance, or respite care.

National Autism Organizations

National Autism organizations are often a hub for ASD education, advocacy services, and finding essential resources like early intervention services and therapy or diagnostic resources. Here are three national organizations popular among the Autism community and a little bit about what they do. 

National Autism Association

Founded in 2003, the National Autism Association (NAA) is a non-profit organization providing cost-free resources to parents, families, educators, clinicians, and others. The NAA website can help you find a number of resources, including but not limited to:

• Information and education regarding ASD, including free educational webinars. 
• Toolkits and resources regarding topics like individualized education plans (IEPs), talking to siblings about Autism, and what to do when a child is first diagnosed.
• Safety information for parents of kids with ASD.
• Support groups.

The NAA provides training to first responders, educators, and others, and has shipped more than 2,000 toolkits to schools nationwide throughout the years. Go to the NAA website to learn more about what they do. 

The Autism Society of America

Around for almost six decades, The Autism Society of America is an excellent resource for parents seeking:

• Information and education regarding ASD.
• Help with advocacy (e.g., advocating for a child at school).
• Support and referrals, including diagnostic services and services for people of all ages who are already diagnosed. 
• Community connection through local affiliates.

The Autism Society has a nationwide network of 58 affiliates. If you are in the United States, they likely have an affiliate in or near your area. Each local affiliate has a special website and Facebook page. Find your local affiliate, discover resources, or contact the Autism Society's hotline here: https://Autismsociety.org/contact-us/. 

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks aims to create an inclusive world for people with ASD through Autism research, services, advocacy, education, support, and other resources. Through the Autism Speaks website, you can find:

• Information about ASD and how to navigate specific situations, like advocating for a child at school.
• Tangible resources like help finding housing, employment (for autistic adults), and other services.
• Programs like the sibling support program.
• Support groups.

Head to the Autism Speaks website to learn more about what they offer and ways to get involved. 

Online Support Groups and Forums

Connecting with other parents means that you have other people to relate to. Often, parents in ASD support groups learn from each other and can provide recommendations for specific challenges that other parents may not have encountered. Popular online support groups for parents of kids with ASD include:

• Association for Autism and Neurodiversity's Support Groups and Free Online Discussion Forum.
• Facebook Groups like the Joon Facebook Group.
• Parents Helping Parents (PHP)'s virtual support groups.

Find out more about the benefits of support groups here.

Educational Resources

No matter how you approach your child's education, any parents of kids with ASD may benefit from knowing about the various education resources out there. For example, being well-versed in special education laws and understanding the value of reaching out to your local school district, even if your child doesn't attend public school.

Information on special education laws and rights

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that all children in the US with disabilities have access to free and appropriate education. ASD is considered a protected disability under IDEA, which consists of six main elements: 

• Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
• Appropriate Evaluation.
• Parent and Teacher Participation.
• Procedural Safeguards.

Your child may benefit from an IEP or 504 plan, which can help them get accommodations like sensory breaks, assignment modifications, and the use of tools that may aid their ability to learn or participate in classroom activities. Customizing your child's education experience as much and as soon as possible can help them thrive.

Tips for navigating the school system

Getting an IEP or 504 plan isn't the only way to support your child. To best navigate the school system, parents can:

• Get involved with your child's education by collaborating with teachers and other school staff.
• Call your local school district to discover local resources for kids and parents.
• Learn about special education laws that protect your child's rights.
• Consider different school environments. 
• Advocate for accommodations.

The Disability Rights and Education & Defense Fund is a valuable resource for parents, with free sample letters and forms you can customize and use to navigate the school system.

Autism Therapy Services (Types and How to Find Them)

There are different types of therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder. There is no singular type of therapy used for ASD across the board. Instead, the therapies your child will benefit from most will depend on their unique needs. Review some of the most common therapies for ASD and some examples of what each type of therapy can help with below. Then, learn about how to access them. 

Parent Training

Parent training is often used for those who have kids with neurological and developmental disorders like ASD and ADHD. Parent training teaches at-home strategies for caregivers and can be virtual or in-person. For example, UC Davis Mind Institute's Autism Distance Education Parent Training (ADEPT) interactive learning program teaches applied behavior analysis techniques to facilitate skill-building and manage behavior in kids who are part of the Autism community.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

According to the Autism Research Institute, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is one of the most widely used and studied therapies for ASD. In ABA therapy, behavioral techniques like positive reinforcement are used to teach kids various skills, such as important daily life, self-care, and social skills. 

ABA can also be used to help kids replace harmful behavior, like hitting or head-banging, with a healthier behavior, among other goals unique to the child. There are different types of Applied Behavioral Analysis, which can impact what a session looks like. A good ABA provider will focus on a child's strengths.

Occupational Therapy

The goal of occupational therapy is to help people develop or rebuild functional skills necessary for success at school, at home, and, if applicable, at work. Occupational therapy can teach kids, teens, and adults with ASD a variety of integral life skills. These may include but are not limited to:

• Fine and gross motor skills (including balancing, posture, writing, etc).
• Personal hygiene and self-care tasks.
• Self-regulation and emotion regulation skills.
• Navigating sensory processing differences.
• Social skills.

When a child starts occupational therapy, the therapist provides an assessment and sets goals based on what the child needs support with. Goals in occupational therapy may change over time.

Social Skills Training

As the name suggests, social skills training (SST) teaches kids with ASD skills to help them better navigate and understand social interactions. Examples of skills taught in SST may include but aren't limited to:

• Interpreting social cues.
• Understanding personal space.
• Initiating social interactions.
• Engaging in reciprocal interaction or play.
• Mindfulness and self-awareness.

SST can promote confidence, help kids make and maintain friendships, or aid functioning in day-to-day life.

Speech Therapy

Working with a speech-language pathologist for speech therapy can actually help with both verbal and nonverbal social interaction and communication skills. Examples of skills a child might work on in speech therapy include: 

• Making speech sounds or saying words more clearly.
• Matching facial expressions with emotions.
• Matching pictures with words.
• Responding to questions.

A speech therapist can also help kids learn to use AAC devices if needed. 

How to find and access therapy services

You can conduct an online search for therapies and other services in your area, but that does not always guarantee things like insurance coverage or availability. Here are some tips that can help you not only find but access specific services: 

• Go through insurance. Call your child's insurance company to ask for a specific service (e.g., speech therapy). That way, you can find a provider covered by your child's insurance plan. Most health insurance companies also have an online directory.
• Ask for a referral. Ask your child's pediatrician or another provider they see (e.g., the center they got diagnosed at) for referrals to trusted providers or therapy centers.

Psychology Today has a search tool that can help you find therapy and intervention services near you. Many national Autism organizations have search tools that can be helpful. 

Financial Assistance Programs

As protected disabilities, neurological and developmental disabilities like ASD can sometimes qualify individuals and families for financial resources. You may need financial resources for a child with ASD if you cannot work full or part-time or need help paying for basic needs like food, utilities, and housing.

Government programs for families with children with disabilities include:

• Cash resources, like Social Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF):
• Food resources, like SNAP and WIC. 
• Housing Assistance through HUD.
• Medicaid.

There are also non-profit organizations that provide financial assistance, including but not limited to:

• The Salvation Army: Get help with rent, mortgage, and utilities. 
• Needhelppayingbills.com: Find a local agency that can help you with rent, mortgage, utilities, medical and dental care, or free items. 
• The Patient Advocate Foundation: Apply for financial aid funds and other resources.

Finding your local Community Action Agency is another way to discover financial assistance and related resources in your area. 

Respite Care Services

It's important that parents take care of themselves and preserve their physical and mental well-being. While being a parent is always a full-time job, some kids may need more support than others. In turn, parents of kids with ASD may find themselves unable to engage in necessary self-care. Respite care services can help parents get much-needed breaks for hours, days, or weeks. There are different models of respite care. For example, in-home care, sitter or companionship services, help from a family member or community member, and inpatient care. 

How to access respite care services for autistic children

How to best access respite care can depend on the type of respite care you're looking for and the state you live in. Here are some ways United States residents can find access to respite care:

• Use the National Respite Locator Service.
• Talk with your child's early intervention case worker. If your child has a caseworker, they can likely help you find respite care options in your area.
• Turn to your community. Some parents can find respite care through family members or other parents (e.g., you may create a system where you take care of each other's kids on a schedule).

Care.com is a resource for those seeking sitters, including those who have experience with special needs.

Advocacy Resources

As a parent, you may have to advocate for your child in various situations. Online resources like our blog can help you navigate situations like getting an IEP or 504 plan, applying for SSI benefits, and helping your child get a diagnosis. Others include but aren't limited to:

• The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN): Find policy and legal, toolkits, school advocacy (for k-12 through college) self-advocacy for autistic people.
• The Autism Society Helpline: Get in touch with information and referral specialists, toll-free.
• Autism Speaks Autism Response Team: Get in touch with certified resource specialists, toll-free.

In addition to helping parents navigate education, the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) can also help parents learn about laws pertaining to and navigate issues like healthcare access.

Technology and Apps for Children with ASD

Apps can increase independence, help teach kids skills, and assist parents in staying connected to members of a child's care or education team, such as a therapist or school teacher. Helpful apps for kids with ASD may include but aren't limited to:

• Apps like Joon for behavior management, daily life tasks, and help following through with schedules and routines.
• Apps with social stories (used to teach kids social and interaction skills, like understanding emotions).
• Healthcare apps, like symptom trackers or those that help you connect with clinicians.
• Other apps that aid learning, like Otsimo for speech therapy.
• Special education apps, for connecting with educators.
• Calendar apps.

Routines and structure can be essential for kids with ASD, which is where apps like Joon come in. Joon uses positive reinforcement to help kids start and finish tasks like self-care activities, homework, and chores. 

Click here to try Joon for free. 

Local Resources

Local resources may include but aren't limited to local support groups for parents, affiliates of national organizations, and ASD therapy centers in your area. While online resources are great, in-person and local resources play a distinct role in supporting individuals with ASD and their family members or caregivers. Through local resources, you can:

• Locate therapy services. Local ASD organizations, affiliates, therapy centers, and support groups may help you find therapy and other intervention services.
• Get involved in local events. This can help you feel less alone and connect with or meet other families. 
• Find respite care, including appropriate babysitting and daycare resources for kids with ASD.

These are just a few examples of what local Autism resources can do for you. As with any of the other resources in this article, don't hesitate to take advantage of any local resource that could be helpful to you. 

How to find Autism resources in your community

The Autism Society of America is a great place to find local resources. Often, the Facebook page for your local affiliate will have events near you, such as friendship groups, walks, and other ways to connect with your local Autism community. 

Other ways to find local resources include but aren't limited to asking a medical professional your child works with, reaching out to your local Autism center (even if your child does not go there), or contacting your local school district about things like educational resources and parent-led support groups.

Conclusion

ASD is one of the most common neurological and developmental disabilities, affecting around 1 in 36 kids. It can but does not always co-occur with other neurological and developmental disorders, like ADHD. Symptoms of ASD can vary from person to person. It's essential that people with ASD and their caregivers know about the resources available to them. 

Autism resources for parents include but aren't limited to national organizations, parent support groups, education and school-based resources, therapy, financial assistance, and respite care. The type of resources you're looking for might vary based on factors like your child's needs. We hope that this comprehensive article helps you find resources that help your family.