Resources and Downloads

Understanding Autism


Autism Spectrum Disorder and IQ – A Complex Interplay – PMC (nih.gov) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9058071/

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Leading national public health institute of the United States providing information on health issues in kids with ASD. www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/Autism/index.html

Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition – This manual will help clinicians and researchers define and classify mental disorders, which can improve diagnoses, treatment and research. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm

Furfaro, H. (2018, July 25). Conditions that accompany Autism, explained. https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/conditions-accompany-Autism-explained

Kasari, C. (27, August 2019). How much behavioral therapy does an autistic child need?https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/viewpoint/how-much-behavioral-therapy-does-an-autistic-child-need/

Key Findings: CDC Releases First Estimates of Number of Adults Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in US https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/features/adults-living-with-autism-spectrum-disorder.html  [deleted]

Early Childhood & Developmental Services

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CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html

Children’s Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (C/OEDI) – a tool that records information about a person’s current functional abilities. https://dodd.ohio.gov/your-family/all-family-resources/Eligibility+for+County+Board+Services

County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CBDD) – Find your CBDD. https://dodd.ohio.gov/county-boards/all-county-boards-resources/4-find-your-county-board

Early Head Start (EHS) – programs serve infants and toddlers under the age of 3 and pregnant women. https://headstart.gov/programs/article/about-early-head-start-program

Individualized Service Plan (ISP) – begins when an individual leaves/graduates from high school. It is an important document in adult planning as it details the supports, activities, and resources required for individuals with disabilities to achieve their personal goals. https://dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/our-programs/Ohio+ISOhio Bold Beginning! Search for Early Care and Education Programs – https://childcaresearch.ohio.gov/

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. Retrieved from Ohio Family Network.
https://dodd.ohio.gov/your-family/advocacy/resource-ohio-family-network

Ohio Early Intervention– A statewide system that provides coordinated services to parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays in Ohio. https://ohioearlyintervention.org/

Education & Special Education


A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education – A guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which protects the rights of students with disabilities and the rights of their parents. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education/A-Guide-to-Parent-Rights-in-Special-Education

ASGA’s Countdown to a Successful School Year for Students with Autism – Countdown-to-a-Successful-School-Year-for-Students-with-Autism.pdf

ASGA’s School Selection Guide – This list of questions is intended to be a guide as you search for a school. https://autismakron.org/wp-content/uploads/School-Selection-Guide_Final.pdf

Autism Scholarship Program (ASP) and the Jon Peterson Scholarship (JPSP) – Gives the parents of children with Autism who qualify for a scholarship the choice to send the child to a special education program other than the one operated by the school district of residence. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Scholarships/Autism-Scholarship-Program

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Intellectual Disability and ASD https://www.research.chop.edu/car-autism-roadmap/intellectual-disability-and-asd

How to organize your child’s IEP binder – An IEP binder can help you keep track of your child’s Individualized Education Program. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-organize-your-childs-iep-binder

Ohio Department of Education – Contains resources for parents concerning their child’s education in the State of Ohio.  https://education.ohio.gov/

The Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities – Details how school districts and other educational agencies implement special education and related services in Ohio. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education/Federal-and-State-Requirements/Operational-Standards-and-Guidance

Parent Mentors – Help parents understand the special education system and connect them with resources.  Find a list on the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities website. www.ocecd.org/ContactaParentMentor.aspx

Parental Rights in Special Education – This guide can help you understand your rights and your child’s rights according to IDEA and the Ohio Operating Standards. It also gives you information and resources to help you understand your child’s special education supports and services. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education/A-Guide-to-Parent-Rights-in-Special-Education

Sample Letter to request an initial evaluation for special education services https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/letter-writing-requesting-initial-eval

Wrights Law – Provides parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys with information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.  www.wrightslaw.com

Evidence-Based Practices & Interventions


Association for Science in Autism Treatment – A detailed list of psychological, educational, therapeutic and biomedical Interventions.  Learn what works, what needs more research and what does not work or is untested. www.asatonline.org/for-parents/learn-more-about-specific-treatments

Interactive Autism Network is a research registry that matches researchers and their studies to families who qualify to participate in and benefit from the research.  www.iancommunity.org

National Professional Development Center on Autism – Promotes the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for children and youth with ASD, birth to 22 years of age.  The site defines each EBP and links to an Internet module that details the practice. https://Autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/ebps

National Standards Project https://nationalautismcenter.org/national-standards/

OCALI Autism Internet Modules (AIM) – Provide information and professional development for anyone who supports, instructs, works with, or lives with someone with Autism. www.autisminternetmodules.org

OCALI Lending Library – Gives access to over 5,000 resources for any resident of Ohio who is 18 years or older, including books, DVD’s, assessment tools and assistive technology. www.ocali.org/project/lending_library

Organization for Autism Research (OAR) – Uses science to address the social, educational, and treatment concerns of self-advocates, parents, Autism professionals, and caregivers.  Offers A Parent’s Guide to Research (available in English and Spanish). https://researchautism.org/product/a-parents-guide-to-research/

Medical & Therapeutic Support


Child Mind Institute – The Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need to thrive. https://childmind.org/

Osborne, K, (2023). What drugs are used for treating Autism? AppliedBehavioralAnalysisEdu.org.  https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/what-drugs-are-used-for-treating-Autism/

Financial & Insurance Resources

Changes to Ohio’s Waiver Waiting List for home and community-based services waivers make it easier to identify a person’s needs and coordinate needed services. https://dodd.ohio.gov/waivers-and-services/Ohio%20Waiver%20Waiting%20List/ohios-waiver-waiting-list

Financial Resources and Discounts for Students with Disabilities – Provides assistive technology devices and education about them to individuals with Autism and their families and has a grant and funding resource database. https://www.itaalk.org/grants

Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD) – Ohio Medicaid program that provides health care coverage to working Ohioans with disabilities. MBIWD was created to enable Ohioans with disabilities to work and keep their health care coverage. www.medicaid.ohio.gov/FOR-OHIOANS/Programs/MBIWD

Medicaid.gov – The government website for the Medicaid program.  https://www.medicaid.gov/

Ohio Autism Insurance Coalition – Helps people understand their benefits, find coverage, and navigate the insurance process. www.asdohio.com .  For actions that families can take when trying to receive benefits for ABA Therapy from their insurance plans, https://www.asdohio.com/resources/aba-in-plans/

Private Funding Resources – Some organizations give grants to families of children with Autism. A list can be found on the Lucas Board of Developmental Disabilities website. https://lucasdd.org/finding-funds

Social Security Administration – Federal income supplement program based on medical qualification and income. The medical criteria for children and adults can be found on the Social Security website in the Blue Book section.  www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook

Social Security Administration (SSA) – You can apply for programs in person at your local office.  Find a list of offices and a checklist of items you will need on the SSA website.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – A disabled child or adult may qualify under a retired, disabled, or deceased parent’s work record. www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/qualify.html

Social Security Administration Disability Evaluation Criteria – includes information for both children and adults. https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Program imposes Income and Asset Limitations.  Learn more at www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm

Tax Deductions and Credits
https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/the-voice/tax-tips-for-parents-of-a-child-with-special-needs/

https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/tax-breaks-for-parents-of-children-with-disabilities

The STABLE Account – Allows people with disabilities to save and invest without penalty. www.stableaccount.com

Waiting List Assessment Tool – https://dodd.ohio.gov/county-boards/assessments/assessment-immediate-current-need

Waivers in Ohio – The Ohio Board of Developmental Disabilities website provides information on each waiver including a waiver comparison chart. https://dodd.ohio.gov/waivers-and-services/waivers 

Planning & Advocacy Tools


Call Recording Form – Free to download https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Parent-Teacher-Communication-Log-Forms-for-Documenting-Phone-Calls-344961

Charting the LifeCourse Nexus – Exchange Knowledge /Build Capacity– This framework and tools will help you organize your ideas, visions, and goals, as well as problem-solving, navigate, and advocate for support. https://www.lifecoursetools.com/

Sunflower Program – assists those traveling with hidden disabilities needing a little extra patience, care, and explanation during their travel experience. https://www.akroncantonairport.com/sunflower-program/

TSA Cares – provides information on security procedures to help passengers with disabilities better prepare for the security screening process. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares

Family & Community Support


Respite Programs – https://archrespite.org/ including places like Rotary Camp – A respite location offering weekend respite and more.  www.akronymca.org/rotarycamp

Sibling Support Project – Group that initiated the concept of Sibshops, a recreational group just for sibs of kids with disabilities.  www.siblingsupport.org