Other Pages of Interest
This is comprehensive guide to local state agencies that can help you with autism. In addition there is help
State Developmental Disabilities Council
University Affiliated Programs (UAPs)
Protection and Advocacy Agency and Client Assistance Program
Resources for finding Employment
One of the best resources for finding help for your child with a disability is your local school district (sometimes called Local Education Agency). If your child has already begun school and you think your child needs special services, we suggest that you begin by discussing your concerns with your child’s teacher or school principal. If your child is an infant, we suggest that you refer to your State Resource Guide and contact the office listed for Programs for Children with Disabilities: Ages birth through 2 years, or programs for ages 3 through 5 years. Ask for the Child Find Coordinator in your community.
The State Department staff can answer questions about special education and related services in your state. Many states have special manuals explaining the steps to take. Check to see if one is available. State Department officials are responsible for special education and related services programs in their state for preschool, elementary, and secondary age children. Each state sets eligibility ages for services to children and youth with disabilities. For current information concerning this, please contact the office listed under STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: SPECIAL EDUCATION.
State Developmental Disabilities Council
Assisted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities, state councils plan and advocate for improvement in services for people with developmental disabilities.
University Affiliated Programs (UAPs)
A national network of programs affiliated with universities and teaching hospitals, UAPs provide interdisciplinary training for professionals and paraprofessionals and offer programs and services for children with disabilities and their families. Individual UAPs have staff with expertise in a variety of areas and can provide information, technical assistance, and in service training to agencies, service providers, parent groups, and others. You can obtain information about University Affiliated Programs, as well as a listing of all UAPs, by contacting:
American Association of University Affiliated Programs for
Persons with Developmental Disabilities (AAUAP)
8630 Fenton Street
Suite 410
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 588-8252 27.73
Protection and Advocacy Agency and Client Assistance Program
Protection and Advocacy systems are responsible for pursuing legal, administrative, and other remedies to protect the rights of people who have developmentally disabilities or mental illness, regardless of their age. Protection and Advocacy agencies may provide information about health, residential, and social services in your area. Legal assistance is also available. The Client Assistance Program provides assistance to individuals seeking and receiving vocational rehabilitation services. These services, provided under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, include assisting in the pursuit of legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to insure the protection of the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities.
RESOURCES FOR FINDING EMPLOYMENT
Some agencies/ organizations in your state which may be helpful in your search are: Your state’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or “VR Department” is a public agency which assists individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment. You can find your state Vocational Rehabilitation agency in our state search, or in the government pages of your local phone book.
If your child is still in school and you want to investigate vocational education, you may contact your state’s Office of Vocational Education for Students with Disabilities. This office is within the Department of Education and can give you information on current vocational programs. Many universities operate a federally funded program call UAPs or University Affiliated Programs that provide information and services to persons with disabilities and their families. Each program is different. If you can’t find your area UAP in our search , contact
American Association of University Affiliated Programs,
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 410 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3803 (301) 588-8252 (Voice)
Developmental Disability Planning Councils can provide you with details on existing disability related organizations in your state. Available information offered by the DD Council will vary state-to-state.
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| Autism: A First-person Account |
Autism is a severe developmental disorder that affects the way a child sees and interacts with the rest of the world. It limits their ability to interact with others socially, in fact many autism suffers avoid human contact.
Autism is part of a larger group of disorders called pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). More information about autism:
Autism is a developmental disability that comes from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. Males are affected four times as often as females. Children may appear normal until around the age of 30 months.
Autism Symptoms vary widely in severity, include impairment in social interaction, fixation on inanimate objects, inability to communicate normally, and resistance to changes in daily routine. Characteristic traits include lack of eye contact, repetition of words or phrases, unmotivated tantrums, inability to express needs verbally, and insensitivity to pain.
Behaviors may change over time. Autistic children often have other disorders of brain function; about two thirds are mentally retarded; over one quarter develop seizures.
Autism can be confused with several other disorders which may have similar behaviors. Here is a list of autism like disorders that you should look at.
It remains unclear, but a psychological one has been ruled out. Neurological studies seem to indicate a primary brain dysfunction, and a genetic component is suggested by a pattern of autism in some families. It is largely believed that autism is a genetic disorder that involves several genes related to gene function. However it is unclear to researchers what causes these genes to turn on. Learn more about other causes of autism.
There are many exciting developments in autism research going on at the top universities. They are focusing on inherited autism and autism gene research.
Other Autism Spectrum Disorders
Asperger’s Syndrome – A child with asperger’s disorder has the same common problems as children with autism however they don’t have language development problems of a autistic child.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder and not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) – This child has autism but doesn’t meet the criteria for high functioning autism.
High-Functioning Autism – This child has autism but has normal learning and cognitive and learning skills. Language development is difficult initially but they become proficient eventually.
| Visit these sites for more information |
| Early Origins of AutismAutism and Children
National Institutes of Mental Health |