Education

Web Sites Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org
(see especially- AAP Tool kit (2008) Caring for Children with ASD)

The AAP has developed a practical tool kit, entitled “Autism: Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians.” The tool kit is designed to help pediatricians and PCPs identify ASDs earlier and guide their management of children with ASDs and their families. Parents and caregivers can benefit from educational materials about ASDs that are available on the Internet.

Autism Speaks: www.autismspeaks.org
(type 100 Days in the site’s search engine)

“The Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit is created specifically for newly diagnosed families, to make the best possible use of the 100 days following the diagnosis of autism. The kit contains information and advice collected from trusted and respected experts on autism as well as from parents of children with autism. There is a week by week plan for the next 100 days, as well organizational suggestions and forms that parents/caregivers can use to help with the paperwork and phone calls, as they begin to find services for their child.”

Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism: www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

This web site has excellent resources for professionals, family member, and individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.  There are research links, links to activities focused at raisingin awareness, and a “community” section for people to share their experiences, successes, and challenges related to Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Autism Society of Florida: www.autismfl.com

This link will take you to Florida specific activities related to ASD (e.g., conferences, community action, and legislation).  It is affiliated with the Autism Society and it also provides links to local chapters (e.g., greater Jacksonville, greater Orlando, Broward County).

Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD): card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu

This site offers information specifically related to CARD, a community based program serving 7 catchment areas in Florida.  It also provides links to resources related to language development, social development, and physical development for children with ASDs.

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning: www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel

“The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.”

Genes and Autism: www.nichd.nih.gov/autism

“The goal of this site is to provide easy access to the most current information about the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) research projects, publications, news releases, and other activities related to autism and similar disorders.”

IDEA, 2004: idea.ed.gov

This site provides the federal legislation related to all individual with disabilities in the public school system.  It provides both IDEA Part B (law that governs ages 3-21) and IDEA Part C (law that governs ages 0-2).

National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm

An concise discussion of what Autism Spectrum Disorders are, what treatment options have been shown to be effective, and descriptions of current research into the causes and treatment of ASD.