• The Autism Research Institute's Form E-2 Check List
• The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).

Research and Testing Facilities

Medication Reference
Describes the medications that may be prescribed for ASDs.

Supplement Reference
Great resource for nutritional supplements and herbal remedies pertinent to ASDs

Autistic Spectrum Disorders is a new book by Mitzi Waltz, a revised and updated edition of Pervasive Developmental Disorders

The Diagnostic Merry-Go-Round. The diagnosis of ASD is usually a frustrating process of diagnosis by elimination, after a range of specified conditions in the autistic spectrum and related conditions are ruled out.

Getting a Diagnosis: Starting with a Pediatrician. The journey to a diagnosis of ASD can begin in different ways, but for most it starts in a pediatrician's office.

Tips for Daily  Family Life. There are a lot of things about raising a child with ASD that teachers, therapists, and doctors don't know much about. Hints from parents about daily life, including tips on haircuts, bathing, clothing, selecting furniture, and safety precautions.

Record Keeping. Some advice on what records to keep, and how.

Stresses on Families. This article shares some problems of families under stress and methods for coping. Problems addressed include withdrawal or overinvolvement by a parent, effect on siblings, isolation, finding the right therapist, separation and divorce, single parents, non-custodial parents, and adoption and foster care.

Parenting: Disciplining a Child with PDD. Whole families are affected by PDDs. This article focuses on discipline issues: how do you respond when "normal" parenting advice may not apply?

Direct and Indirect Financial Support for Families. Some programs are available that may provide you or your family with financial support. Even though the amounts may be small, they may allow you to stretch already strapped resources.

After an IEP is in Place: Educational Issues. Your job in helping your child become educated in school doesn't end once you have an educational plan in place. This article addresses issues such as: monitoring progress, extended school year services, dealing with behavioral dilemmas, suspension and expulsion, 504 plans, taking on the school system, private schools, homeschooling, and transition planning

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------

Wondering about the differance in ASD's? Here are links to help guide you....

Low / High Functioning Autism Please Read

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6895447/

http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/aspergers.html

http://www.answers.com/autism+spectrum+disorder&r=67

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/autism.index.htm

http://www.answers.com/topic/pdd-not-otherwise-specified?hl= pdd

http://www.answers.com/topic/pdd

http://www.answers.com/topic/pervasive-developmental-disorde r?hl=pdd

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5473,00.html?r=related

http://www.autism.org.au/UNDERSTANDING%20DIAGNOSIS.htm

http://www.brighttots.com/Childhood_Disintegrative_Disorder. html

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aspergerscaleAttwood.htm l

MEDICATION & SUPPLEMENTS

Common Medications Used To Treat Autism

Medications Information

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/autism/a/05_autism_rx.htm  - different treatments & Meds

Risperdal and the Aggression of Autism

Risperdal

Clonidine

Supplements

Want the facts or some general info? Here are links for that...

Autism In The News LINKS Galore!

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/forum.asp?articlekey= 13881

http://www.parents.com/articles/health/5716.jsp?page=1

http://www.communityinclusion.org/publications/pddbook.html

http://maapservices.org/MAAP_Sub_Find_It_-_PDD_Articles.htm

http://groups.msn.com/TheAutismHomePage/echolaliafacts.msnw

http://autism.about.com/cs/whatisautism/a/autismfaqtwo.htm

http://www.insidethebubble.co.uk/articles.php

http://www.autismweb.com/

http://www.irsc.org:8080/irsc/irscmain.nsf/cat?readform& cat=Autistic+Spectrum+Disorders&type=Web+Pages

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6895311/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6895447/

http://www.ausm.org/Information/General/testinfo.htm

http://www.autism.org/adviceforparents.html (Thanks Jean)

http://www.hhrehab.org/childservices/autismservices/Default. htm

http://www.rainbowpediatrics.net/faq/7.21.html

How Can A Parent Help?

Extraordinary Parenting - Autism 

Cartoons shed light on autism

Pathways to Progress .....

Explaining A Diagnosis AND  how to tell others about the diagnosis

Sibling Help -- http://www.autism.org/sibling/sibneeds.html

The Discovery Of "Aspie" Criteria

Savant Abilities. (Thanks Sarah)

Head Circumference / Autism

http://www.cheapceus.com/Autism_05.html   (Thanks Jean)

Autism / Mercury / Metals / Chelation

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/mc3.asp Can MMR be given separately?

http://www.autismmedia.org/media1.html where to find the MMR separate

Banning Mercury In Vaccines  

support removal of thimerosal from shots

http://www.thehealthcrusader.com/pgs/excalibur/article_2005_ 03_17_1401.shtml  Scroll 2/3 way down Thimerosal Is Still In Vaccines

And Just a reminder........ School Vaccines NOT Mandatory

Reduce Your Stress Level

Potty Training

Play

http://autism.about.com/cs/adadsjournal/a/movingjournal.htm  moving tips

Speech Delays  and Communication

COMMON CO-OCCURRING CONDITIONS IN AUTISM 1 2

Changes in Routine Equals Changes in Behavior

Behaviors

Behavior modification controlling tantrum

Autism Service Dogs of America

Autism Business Cards 4 Public Awareness

Calming Activities

SIBLINGS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM/PDD

Find HARD TO FIND T shirts here...  http://store.yahoo.com/stylinonline/

SAFTEY ITEMS

Safety Stickers - http://www.unlockingautism.org/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=safetys ticker

Home Door / Window Alarms

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductList.as p?p=2_1_1_1_0_0_118&engine=adwords!276&keyword=%28 do or+alarms%29&match_type =

http://store.yahoo.com/nextpowerusa/fial8wiwidoa.html

http://www.janet1.freeuk.com/

http://www.spymaster.com/home.door.protection.html

http://www.globalsources.com/manufacturers/Door-Alarm.html

Kid Alarms

http://www.ion-kids.com/ 

 http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/childsafety.html

http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylc=X3oDMTFjdDZpbGpvBF9TAz k2MDc5MjYwBGsDY2hpbGQgbG9jYXRvcgRzZWMDa2IEc2xrA3RpdGxl?p=c hi ld+locator

http://www.safetydefenseproducts.com/childguard.htm

http://www.itave.com/smart_guard.html

911 GPS Child Watch

http://www.hardwares.globalsources.com/si/6007000636832/yste ch.co

Medical Alert

http://www.mypreciouskid.com/medical-id-bracelet.html

http://www.lifejewelry.com/

http://www.hahoriginals.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=66_63& amp; amp; amp; amp; amp;osCsid=7b511578ed6fdb5be67184da2d0a4bed

http://www.laurenshope.com/

http://www.n-styleid.com/

http://www.medicassist.com/

http://www.medicid.com/

http://www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx

http://www.bindependent.com/hompg/bi/bindep/store/aisles/gai ncontrol/medmanageprod/idjewelry.htm

http://www.jewelbasket.com/medical-alert-id-bracelets.html

http://www.americanmedical-id.com/home/?usersession=931a85b3 5c9beea0b42f659b165dcda6

School related

Protection and Advocacy

Special Ed rights for parents and Kids

http://www.bbbautism.com/vol_2_issue1_iep.htm - ***WONDERFUL LINKS!!!!

Writing IEP�s For Success

http://www.dredf.org/

www.wrightslaw.com

http://wrightslaw.com/info/esy.index.htm  - Extended School Year

Building a Better Homework System

Autism Education Network

A Guide To Letter Writing

What Is An IEP?

MultiFactored Evaluations

Whose IDEA Is This?

10 common IEP mistakes

Specific Disability / Class accommodation

Instructional Methods / Accomodations

Programming / Teaching

Tips for Teachers

Back 2 School Tips 4 Special Needs Kids

Advocating

iAbida Special Needs Education

Paraprofessionals

Rapid Prompting Method severely autistic

http://millermethod.org/

http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/contents/about_son-rise /what_is_the_son-rise_program.php

Activities to Improve Learning through ..

Fun Educational Activities &More For Kids

Teaching / Learning Related

http://www.elliecards.com/  - elliecards� are a complete set of picture cards intended as an augmentative communication system for young children with special needs. Designed to be used for children with autism, speech disorders, and various learning disabilities, elliecards� are an invaluable learning tool for parents, therapists and educators.

Created by parents who had little success using other picture card systems on the market, this product uses photos that are realistic to everyday life, come laminated and completely assembled in an easy-to-use binder.

http://www.autismteachingtools.com/

http://www.otawatertown.com/toylist.html

http://www.do2learn.com/

BEHAVIOR RELATED

http://rsaffran.tripod.com/aba.html

http://www.christinaburkaba.com/History.htm

http://www.brighttots.com/aba_therapy.html

http://www.redandgreenchoices.com/about.htm

http://www.bia4autism.org/

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/autism.methods.compare.pdf

http://www.polyxo.com/aba/

http://www.easychild.com/parentingclick2.htm

http://www.wrightslaw.com/news/2002/jaynes.tarkan.nytimes.ht m

Speech Related

Signing   (Thanks Anne)

Pecs Info.... (Thanks Gabu)

http://www.polyxo.com/visualsupport/pecs.html

http://www.pecs.com/

http://www.tacanow.com/pecs.htm

http://www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/autism/assist/asst10.htm

Echolalia - http://www.autisticsociety.org/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia &op=list_content&eid=36

Echolalia - http://www.answers.com/topic/echolalia

Echolalia - http://www.utdallas.edu/~rollins/A_I/echo.pdf

ADOS Facts - http://www.wpspublish.com/Inetpub4/w090205.htm

PRT - http://autismone.org/AutismOne2004/presentations/45%20Koegel %20Robert%20and%20Lynn%20Koegel%20-%20sent.doc

PRT - http://www.autismteachingtools.com/page/bbbbfg/bbbbqc

PRT - http://www.dbpeds.org/articles/detail.cfm?TextID=229

Testing Info - http://www.ausm.org/Information/General/testinfo.htm

Vocabulary Videos for Autistic Toddlers
The Vocabulary Builder video series has proven to be very effective for toddlers with language delays due to autism. Click here to read what parents have to say about these videos.
Sponsored by: http://www.babybumblebee.com

ABA Videos - This service incorporates the strategies of video modeling and Applied Behavior Analysis into an educational tool to be used by children, parents, educators and Paraprofessionals in the form of video. Video modeling provides children with the skills to create, improve and enhance receptive and expressive skills.

TEETH GRINDING

FEEDING ISSUES

Sensory Integrative related feeding probs

Functional Feeding Issues in Autism 1 2

g/f c/f diet 1 2 

The Gluten/Wheat Free Guide to Eating Out - A new book on the market called "The Gluten/Wheat Free Guide to Eating Out" with over 50 national/regional restaurants' gluten and wheat free menu items.

SENSORY ISSUES

How to know if its sensory / What to do

Sensory Defensiveness & Sensory Diet

Sensory Integration & Teaching Strategies

WEIGHTED PRODUCTS  

Vests

http://www.specialkidszone.com/Product_Level1.asp?CategoryID =38

http://www.beyondplay.com/CATALOG/SEN3.HTM

http://www.calmcomforts.com/vest/vests.htm

http://www.comeplaytoys.com/kids/CPM-070.HTM

http://members.aol.com/encourmin/autism2.htm

http://www.otvest.com/

http://www.theraproducts.com/index

http://www.pfot.com/ShowProducts.php?interest=Sensory

http://www.saltoftheearthweightedgear.com/vestpage.html

http://www.myweightedblankets.com/vests

http://search.ebay.com/weighted-vest_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8

http://www.saltoftheearthweightedgear.com/index.html

Blankets and Other

http://www.specialkidszone.com/Product_Level3.asp?ProductID= 1368

http://www.beyondplay.com/CATALOG/SEN3.HTM

http://www.calmcomforts.com/blanket/blankets.htm

http://www.theraproducts.com/index/page-catalog/main-8161/su b-8289/

http://www.saltoftheearthweightedgear.com/fabricspage.html

http://www.weightedblanket.net/

http://www.myweightedblankets.com/pricing___orders

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay ?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&productId=16269&la ng Id=-1&parentCats=10107*10210     (Hanging Seat)

CATALOGS for Special Needs (and sites to order from)

http://www.otawatertown.com/resources.html

http://www.pfot.com/ShowProducts.php?interest=Sensory

http://www.specialkidszone.com/

http://www.beyondplay.com/index.htm

http://www.theraproducts.com/index

http://www.specialneedstoys.com/

http://www.stars4kidz.com/

http://www.superduperinc.com/catalog.htm

http://www.difflearn.com/

RESOURCES

Misc resources listed by state --  http://www.autism-pdd.net/resources-by-state.html

State Specific Yellow Pages

Autism Resources In Canada

Respite Service Locator

Protection and Advocacy

National Resources for Special Needs

Spec Needs Advocate / Attorney Directory

Special Ed: Putting the Pieces Together

SSI (Social Security)

SSI re evaluation  (Thanks Tabitha)

School Vaccines NOT Mandatory

Banning Mercury In Vaccines

SLEEP PROBLEMS

1 suggestion... since these kids like predictibility and routine and resist change... DONT START SOMETHING YOU DONT WANT TO HAVE CONTINUE.

SO here are some suggestions to try

Some say its a chemical imbalance with the seritonin levels in their body... many swear by giving their child supplements like Melatonin   PLEASE CHECK with your childs dr to find a safe amount if you choose this route

Melatonin for Sleep Disturbances in Children

For me part of the help was a small dosage of Clonidine.... even now at 9 1/2 without medication he can not fall asleep until well after 1 am!

** ALSO NOTE keeping a journal of when your child sleeps and is awake daily behaviors and so forth is a good idea.. sometimes it gives you better knowledge os what is going on when you can look back over the past several days or weeks and start seen a predictable pattern with your child.

Reward chart

Calming Activities like heavy loading or deep pressure massage

Many believe this is sensory related.. I will include some links here

How to know if its sensory / What to do  *NOTE this also includes calming activities*

Sensory Integration - Must Read

Sensory Defensiveness & Sensory Diet

Sensory Integration & Teaching Strategies

Bed tents - they block out the outside stimuli providing a calming and quiet environment for the child to relax and go to sleep Many special needs catalogs sell them here are some links to various places

http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/601-3573889-0737750?%5F encoding=UTF8&node=13419891

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=twin+size+bed+tents& hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=ff&oi=froogler

*** Just type in a search for TWIN SIZE BED TENTS and something should come up***

WEIGHTED BLANKETS! This has been the final thing to really help my son and many other kids here! It isnt 100% but for my son its been 98% I never would have believed if someone had said he would sleep through the night from day 1 but he did!

http://www.specialkidszone.com/Product_Level3.asp?ProductID= 1368

http://www.beyondplay.com/CATALOG/SEN3.HTM

http://www.calmcomforts.com/blanket/blankets.htm

http://www.theraproducts.com/index/page-catalog/main-8161/su b-8289/

http://www.saltoftheearthweightedgear.com/fabricspage.html

http://www.weightedblanket.net/

http://www.myweightedblankets.com/pricing___orders

Here is some general info about Sleep problems in ASD kids....

http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/task/sleep.html

http://aut.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/5/2/209

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=367&a=3376  *good Info here

Organizations

First I would say it may help to contact www.unlockingautism.org They have a Parent 2 Parent Network  listed that will help connect you to a parent in your state to help you find resources. I know the VP of the organization lives in Georgia (Atlanta area I believe) They also have a national call center 866-366-3361... both are on the front page  there are also links for so many things... heres the links pages as I know for some it is confusing how to get there... http://www.unlockingautism.org/news.asp?action=2 they have info on

• General Links

• Early Diagnosis / Intervention

• Biological & Biomedical Treatments

• Behavioral Treatments

• Nutrition & Diet

• National Organizations

• Helpful Link Sites

• Vaccine Information

• Asperger's Syndrome

• Books on Autism

• Education and Law

• Sensory / Auditory Issues

• Speech and Language

• Occupational/Physical Therapy

• Home Schooling

FIND YOUR LOCAL Autism Society of America Chapter here http://209.200.89.252/search_site/index.cfm

Other organizations are listed here.... In your Opinion  (Thanks Rose)

LEGAL RESOURCES

CHANGES IN SSI   http://www.clsphila.org/abc_for_advocates_files/training_mat erial.htm

Supplemental Security Income / Social Security Administration  http://autism.about.com/od/ssissa/

DISABILITY BENEFITS  http://www.bizdir.org/index.phtml?browse=/Home/Personal_Fina nce/Retirement/Social_Security/Disability_Benefits/

LISTING OF MEDICAID, MR/DD, DEEMING WAIVER, TEFRA & OTHER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS  http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/1029/medicaid.html

Disability, Advocacy, Knowing Our Rights  http://headaches.about.com/od/disability/

BOOKS

Autism Resources

http://www.nap.edu/books/0309072697/html/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0399523863/ref=sib_dp_pt/104 -2414085-4493562#reader-link

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891383132/ref%3Dpd%5 Fsxp%5Felt%5Fl1/104-2414085-4493562

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/185302967X/ref =pd_sim_b_6/104-2414085-4493562?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glanc e

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0312326440/ref=sib_dp_pt/104 -2414085-4493562

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0309072697/ref=sib_dp_pt/104 -2414085-4493562

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-241 4085-4493562