Resources and Downloads

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

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

​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]

​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  

​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/  

​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   

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/  

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

Ohio Bold Beginning! Search for Early Care and Education Programs – https://childcaresearch.ohio.gov/  

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

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

Autism Society of America – Provides critical information about which interventions have been shown to be effective for individuals with ASD. https://autismsociety.org/ 

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 

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 

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/

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/  

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/  

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

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 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 (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. 

• Office Locations:  https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp 
• Disability Starter Kits:  www.ssa.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm  

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

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 

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    

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 

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

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 

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. 

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

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

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  

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

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

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 

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

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/ 

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 

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 

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 

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

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

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

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

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+IS  

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

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  

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

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  

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

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  

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

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  

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/