| A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W |
Reuben W. Cook
Ex. Director
Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program
Adap 526 Martha Parham, West
P.O. Box 870395
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0395
(205) 348-4928
TDD 205-348-9484
800-826-1675
FAX (205) 348-3909
ALASKA
Rick Tessandore
Executive Director
Disability Law Center of Alaska
615 East 82nd Avenue
Suite 101
Anchorage, Alaska 99518-3158
(907) 344-1002 V/TDD
800-478-1234
FAX (907) 349-1002
E-mail – Disablaw@anc.ak.net
AMERICAN SAMOA
Minareta Thompson
Ex. Director
Office of Protection and Advocacy
for the Disabled
American Samoa Government
Post Office Box 3937
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799-0320
00 for overseas operator
011(684) 633-2441
011(684) 613-4163
FAX (684) 633-7286
ARIZONA
Leslie J. Cohen
Executive Director
The Arizona Center for Disability Law
3131 North Country Club
Suite #100
Tucson, Arizona 85716 (520) 327-9547 Voice\TDD
FAX (520) 323-0642
1-800-922-1447
PHOENIX OFFICE – 1-800-927-2260
ARKANSAS
Nan Ellen D. East
Executive Director
Advocacy Services, Inc.
1100 North University, Suite 201
Evergreen Place
Little Rock, Arkansas 72207
(501) 296-1775 V/TDD
1-800-482-1174 V/TDD
Fax (501) 296-1779
E-Mail – advocacy@aristotle.net
E-Mail – hn5322@handsnet.org
CALIFORNIA
Catherine Blakemore
Executive Director
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 185N
Sacramento, California 95825
916-488-9955 Admin Off.
916-488-9950 Legal Off.
800-776-5746
(FAX) 916-488-2635
E-Mail 1232@handsnet.org
E-Mail cathyb@sacramento.pai-ca.com
COLORADO
Mary Anne Harvey
Executive Director
The Legal Center
455 Sherman Street, Suite 130
Denver, Colorado 80203-4403
(303) 722-0300 Voice\TDD
FAX 303 722-0720
E-Mail hn6282@handsnet.org
CONNECTICUT
James McGaughey (Jim)
Executive Director
Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
60-B Weston Street
Hartford, Conneticut 06120-1551
(860) 297-4300
800-842-7303 (State-wide)
(860) 566-2102 (TDD & voice)
FAX 860-566-8714
E-Mail hn2571@handsnet.org
E-Mail hn6587 Ex.Dir@handsnet.org
DELAWARE
Judith Schuenemeyer
(FUNDING) Ex. Director
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.
913 Washington Street
Wilmington, Delware 19801
(302) 575-0660
FAX 302-575-0840
Brian Hartman
(PROGRAM) Director
Disab. Law Program
913 Washington Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(302) 575-0690
FAX 302-575-0840
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Jane Brown, Esq.
Executive Director
University Legal Services, Inc. (ULS)
300 I Street, N.E., Suite 202
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 547-4747
FAX 202-547-2083/2662
FLORIDA
Marcia Beach
Executive Director
Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.
2671 Executive Center, Circle, West
Webster Building, Suite-100
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-5092
(850) 488-9071
1-800-342-0823
FAX 850-488-8640
TDD 1-800-346-4127
GEORGIA
Dr. Joyce R. Ringer
Executive Director
Georgia Advocacy Office, Inc.
999 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Suite 870
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3166
(404) 885-1234 Voice\TDD
1-800-537-2329
FAX (404) 607-8286
E-Mail hn5298@handsnet.org
GUAM
Eduardo R. del Rosario (Eddie)
Executive Director
Protection and Advocacy of the Marianas (PAM)
Reflection Center, Suite 204
Chalan Santo Papa
Agana, Guam 96910
011-(671) 472-8985/86
FAX 011-671-472-8989
E-Mail hn5986@handsnet.org
HAWAII
Gary L. Smith
Executive Director
Protection and Advocacy Agency
1580 Makaloa Street
Suite 1060
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814-3237
(808) 949-2922 Voice/TDD
FAX (808) 949-2928
E-Mail hn4981@handsnet.org
IDAHO
James R. Baugh
Executive Director
Co-Ad, Inc.
Idaho’s Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc.
4477 Emerald Street, Suite B-100
Boise, Idaho 83706
(208) 336-5353 Voice/TDD
Fax (208) 336-5396
Toll Free 1-800-632-5125
E-Mail – hn5880@handsnet.org
ILLINOIS
Zena Naiditch
Executive Director
Illinois Equip for Equality, Inc.
11 E. Adams, Suite 1200
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 341-0022 Voice/TDD
FAX 312-341-0295
E-Mail – hn6177@handsnet.org
INDIANA
Tom Gallagher
Executive Director
Indiana Advocacy Service
4701 North Keystone Avenue
Suite 222
Indianapolis, Indiana 46205
(317) 722-5555
800-622-4845
FAX (317) 722-5564
E-Mail-ipas@source.isd.state.in.us
IOWA
Mervin L. Roth
Executive Director
Iowa Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc.
3015 Merle Hay Road, Suite 6
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 278-2502
FAX (515) 278-0539
515-278-0571 TDD
E-Mail hn5317@handsnet.org
KANSAS
Jim Germer
Acting Executive Director
Kansas Advocacy and Protective Services
501 SouthWest Jackson, Suite 425
Topeka, Kansas 66603
(913) 232-3469
FAX 913-232-4758
E-Mail JGermer@idir.net
KENTUCKY
Maureen Fitzgerald
Acting Director
Division for Protection and Advocacy
Office for Public Advocacy
100 Fair Oaks Lane, 3rd FL
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
(502) 564-2967
800-372-2988 TDD
FAX (502) 564-7890
E-Mail dfoy@advocate.pa.state.ky.us
LOUISIANA
Lois V. Simpson
Executive Director
Advocacy Center for the Elderly and Disabled
225 Baronne Street
Suite 2112
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2112
(504) 522-2337
1-800-960-7705
FAX (504) 522-5507
MAINE
Kimberly Moody (Kim)
Acting Executive Director
Maine Advocacy Services
32 Winthrop Street
P.O. Box 2007
Augusta, Maine 04338-2007
(207) 626-2774 ext. 104
1-800-452-1948
FAX 207-621-1419
MARYLAND
Elizabeth Jones
Ex. Director
Maryland Disability Law Center
The Walbert Building
1800 North Charles Street
Suite 204
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(410) 234-2791
1-800-233-7201
FAX 410 234-2624
hn6313@handsnet.org
MASSACHUSETTS
Christine Griffin
Executive Director
Disabilities Law Center, Inc. (DLC)
11 Beacon Street, Suite 925
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
(617) 723-8455 Voice
(617) 227-9464 TTD
FAX (617) 723-9125
1-800-872-9992
1-800-381-0577 TDD
E-mail hn5348@handsnet.org
MICHIGAN
Elizabeth W. Bauer
Executive Director
Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service
106 West Allegan, Suite 300
Lansing, Michigan 48933-1706
(517) 487-1755 \Voice/TDD
1-800-288-5923
FAX (517) 487-0827
E-mail hn5293@handsnet.org
MINNESOTA
Jerry Lane
Executive Director
Minnesota Disability Law Center
430 First Avenue, North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-1780
(612) 332-1441
800-292-4150
FAX (612) 334-5755
E-mail hn0518@handsnet.org
MISSISSIPPI
Rebecca Floyd
Executive Director
Mississippi Protection and Advocacy System
for Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
5330 Executive Place, Suite A
Jackson, Mississippi 39206-5606
(601) 981-8207
FAX 601-981-8313
800-772-4057
E-mail hn5999@handsnet.org
MISSOURI
Shawn de Loyola
Executive Director
Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc.
925 S. Country Club Drive, Unit B-1
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
(573) 893-3333
800-392-8667
FAX 573-893-4231
MONTANA
Bernadette Ongoy Frank
Executive Director
Montana Advocacy Program, Inc. (MAP)
Post Office Box 1680
316 North Park, Room 211
Helena, Montana 59624
(406) 444-3889 Voice\TDD
800-245-4743 (MT Only)
FAX 406 444-0261
E-mail hn6510 Exe.Dir
E-mail hn6511 Alan Freed, Staff Attorney
NATIVE AMERICAN PROTECTION AND
ADVOCACY PROJECT (NAPAP)
Therese Yanan
Executive Director
DNA)People’s Legal Services, Inc.
Post Office Box 392
Shiprock, New Mexico 87410
(505) 368-3216
1-(800)-862-7271 – Clients Only
Fax 505 368-3220
E-mail hn4857@handsnet.org
NEBRASKA
Timothy Shaw
Executive Director
Nebraska Advocacy Services, Inc.
522 Lincoln Center Building
215 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-1813
(402) 474-3183 Voice/TDD
800-422-6691
FAX 402-474-3274
NEVADA
Jack Mayes
Executive Director
Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center, Inc.(NDALC)
401 So. Third St. Suite 403 800-992-5715 Toll Free (within Nevada)
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
(702) 383-8150
(702) 383-8170/TDD
FAX 702-383-8170
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Donna Woodfin
Executive Director
Disabilities Rights Center
P.O. Box 3660
18 Low Avenue
Concord, New Hampshire 03302-3660
(603) 228-0432 Voice/TDD
800-834-1721 (NH Only)
FAX 603-225-2077
E-mail hn6217@handsnet.org
NEW JERSEY
Sarah Wiggins Mitchell
Ex. Director
NJ Protection and Advocacy Inc.
210 South Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
(609) 292-9742
800-792-8600
FAX 609 777-0187
E-mail hn5621Exe.Dir
hn5622Rick Considine
NEW MEXICO
James Jackson
Executive Director
P&A System
1720 Louisiana Blvd., N.E., Suite 204
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
(505) 256-3100/Voice\TDD
800-432-4682
Fax 505 256-3184
E-mail hn5412@handsnet.org
NEW YORK
Clarence J. Sundram
Chairman
NY Commission on Quality of
Care for the Mentally Disabled
99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1002
Albany, New York 12210
(518) 473-4057
(518) 473-7378
800-624-4143 (TDD)
FAX 518 473-6296
E-mail hn5344@handsnet.org (PAIMI)
hn5345@handsnet.org (PADD)
NORTH CAROLINA
Allen Perry
Exec. Director
Governor’s Advocacy Council for
Persons with Disabilities
2113 Cameron Street, Suite 218
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-1344
919 733-9250/Voice\TDD
FAX 919 733-9173
800-821-6922
NORTH DAKOTA
Teresa Larson
Executive Director
Protection and Advocacy Project
400 E. Broadway, Suite 616
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501 (701)-328-2950
800-472-2670/Voice\Tool free
800-642-6694 (24H. Line)
FAX 701-328-3934
E-mail Beckatpa@aol.com
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
Lydia Barcinas Santos
Executive Director
Northern Mariana P&A System, Inc.
Post Office Box 3529 C.K.
Saipan, MP 96950
011-(670) 235-7273/4/6
TTY – 011(670) 235-7278
FAX – 011-670 235-7275
OHIO
Carolyn Knight
Executive Director
Ohio Legal Rights Service
8 East Long Street, 6th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2999
(614) 466-7264/Voice\TDD
800-282-9181
FAX (614) 644-1888
E-mail hn7149@handsnet.org
OKLAHOMA
Kayla Bower
Executive Director
Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc.
2915 Classen Blvd., Suite 300
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 525-7755
800-880-7755
FAX 405 525-7759
OREGON
Robert Joondeph
Executive Director
Oregon Advocacy Center
620 S.W., Fifth Ave., 5th Floor
Portland, Oregon 97204-1428
(503) 243-2081
800-452-1694
TDD 800-556-5351
FAX 503-243-1738
E-mail hn6919@handsnet.org
E-mail oradvocacy@aol.com
PENNSYLVANIA
Kevin T. Casey
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
116 Pine Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101-1208
(717) 236-8110/Voice\TDD
800-692-7443
FAX 717 236-0192
E-mail hn6067@handsnet.org
INTERNET – 102126.1251@COMPUSERVE.COM
PUERTO RICO
David Cruz Veles
Executive Director
Office of the Ombudsman for the Disabled Persons
Caribbean Office Plaza,
Ponce de Leon Avenue
#670 Miramar
Puerto Rico 00907 P.O Box 4234
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-4234
787-729-4299
(787) 721-4299 Ombudsman
787-725-2333 mESSAGE/V
Deputy 787-725-3606
L 800 981-4125
FAX 787-721-2455
REP OF PALAU
(Vacant)
Executive Dir.
Client Assistance Program
Bu. of Public Health
Ministry of Health
P.O. Box 6027
Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
011-680-488-2813
FAX 011-680-488-1211
RHODE ISLAND
Ray Bandusky
Ex. Director
Rhode Island Disability Law Center, Inc.
349 Eddy Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
(401) 831-3150
401-831-5335/TDD
1-800-733-5332
FAX 401-274-5568
SOUTH CAROLINA
Gloria Prevost
Executive Director
Protection and Advocacy for
People with Disabilities, Inc.
3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 208
Columbia, South Carolina 29204-4034
(803) 782-0639/Voice\TDD
800-922-5225
Fax (803) 790-1946
SOUTH DAKOTA
Robert J. Kean
Executive Director
South Dakota Advocacy Services
221 South Central Avenue
Pierre, South Dakota 57501
(605) 224-8294/Voice\TDD
800-658-4782
FAX 605-224-5125
TENNESSEE
Shirley Shea
Executive Director
Tennessee P&A Inc.
P.O. Box 121257 (Mailing Address)
2416 21st Ave., South
Nashville, Tennessee 37212-1257
(615) 298-1080/Voice\TDD
800-342-1660
FAX 615-298-2046
TEXAS
Jim Comstock-Galagan
Executive Director
Advocacy, Inc.
7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 171-E
Austin, Texas 78757-1560
(512) 454-4816
800-252-9108
FAX 512-323-0902
E-mail hn2414@handsnet.org
UTAH
Ms. Fraiser Nelson
Executive Director
Legal Center for People w/Disabilities
455 East 400 South, Suite 410
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 363-1347/Voice\TDD
800-662-9080
FAX 801 363-1437
E-mail hn5856@handsnet.org
VERMONT
William Sullivan (Bill)
Executive Director
Vermont Protection and Advocacy Inc.
21 East State Street, Suite #101
Montpellier, Vermont 05602
(802) 229-1355
FAX 802 229-1359
VIRGINIA
Sandra K. Reen (Sandy)
Ex. Director
Dept. for the Rights of Virginians
with Disabilities
James Monroe Bldg.
101 N. 14th Street, 17th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219-3641
(804) 225-2042/Voice\TDD
800-552-3962
FAX 804 225-3221
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Ameila Headley Lamont, Esq.
Ex. Director
Virgin Islands Advocacy Agency
7A Whim Street, Suite 2
Frederiksted, Virgin Islands 00840
(809) 772-1200, 4641/TDD
809-776-4303
FAX 809 772-0609
E-mail hn5454@handsnet.org
WASHINGTON
Mark Stroh
Executive Director
Washington Protection and Advocacy System (WPAS)
1401 E. Jefferson Street
Suite 506
Seattle, Washington 98122
(206) 324-1521
FAX 206-324-1783
E-mail wpas@halcyon.com
WEST VIRGINIA
Linda A. Leasure
Executive Director
WV Advocates, Inc.
Litton Bldg., 4th Fl.
1207 Quarrier Street
Charleston, West Virginia 25301-1842
(304) 346-0847/Voice\TDD
800-950-5250
FAX 304-346-0867
E-mail wvadvocates@newwave.net
WISCONSIN
Lynn Breedlove,
Executive Director
Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy, Inc.
16 N. Carroll Street FAX
Suite 400
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
(608) 267-0214
800-928-8778
(608) 267-0368
E-mail yochupa@wp.dhss.state.wi.us
WYOMING
Jeanne A. Thobro
Executive Director
P&A System, Inc.
2424 Pioneer Avenue, #101
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001-3075
(307) 638-7668
307-632-3496
800-821-3091 Voice/TDD
800-624-7648
FAX (307) 638-0815
E-mail hn4927@handsnet.org National Organization
Mr. Curtis Decker
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems
900 2nd Street, N.E., Suite 211
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 408-9514
FAX – 408-9520
Carole Schauer
Contact Person
Program Officer
Protection and Advocacy Program
Center for Mental Health Services(CMHS)
Room 15C-26
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
(301) 443-3667
FAX (301) 594-0091
Bernard Arons
Director, CMHS
Room 15-105
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
(301) 443-0001
FAX (301) 443-1563
| Visit these sites for more information |
| coming soon… |
Autism Research at the Duke Center for Human Genetics
Description
Autism is a chronic, nonprogressive developmental disorder. Individuals with autism have a unique set of symptoms in three areas: socialization (interaction with others), communication, and behavior. Autism is a common disorder, when other diagnoses such as pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise specified – PDD-NOS), and Asperger’s disorder are included in the spectrum.Autism is a complex genetic disorder thought to be caused by one or more genes, either acting alone or together with other factors. Through the Medical Genetics collaborative research study into the hereditary basis of autism, we hope to find the gene(s) that leads to autism. Finding these gene(s) will provide valuable insight into how the disorder is caused and will hopefully lead to improved diagnostic and treatment modalities.
Can Autism Be Inherited?
We are often asked the question, Am I at risk for having a child with autism or having another child with autism? The answer is not simple since autism has many causes. Some individuals may have a genetic form of autism. If possible, the underlying cause for the autistic-like behavior must be identified. Several inherited disorders are associated with autistic-like behavior. Some of these disorders include Fragile X Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), and Phenylketonuria (PKU). When a diagnosis of autistic disorder is made by a health care provider, it is important to determine whether the behavior is the result of one of these well known genetic disorders. If specific testing indicates one of these disorders is responsible for the behavior, the recurrence risk and perhaps the medical treatment will be altered.In most cases, there is no specific cause for autism in an individual. In these instances, the autism is said to be idiopathic, meaning that the behavior is secondary to an unknown cause. These non-specific answers can be frustrating for parents or family members who would like some explanation.
In this research study, we include individuals and families with idiopathic autism because these are the individuals most likely to carry the gene or genes that cause autism. By finding the genetic factors that play a role in the development of autism, we will someday be able to provide accurate recurrence risks to individuals and families as well as develop better treatments.
For families that have one child with idiopathic autism, there is an increased risk of having another child with autism. This recurrence risk is estimated to be about four percent which is greater than that found in families that do not have a child with autism.
Spiker D., Lotspeich L., Kraemer H.C., Hallmayer J., McMahon W., Petersen P.B., Nicholas P., Pingree C., Wiese-Slater S., Chiotti C. et al. Genetics of autism from 37 multiplex families: American Journal of Medical Genetics 54:1, 27-35, 1994.
Evidence Against X-linkage as a Major Cause of Autism
Since it is a known fact that more males have autism than females, researchers believed that autism might be associated with a non-working gene on the X chromosome. Recent data for our group and others have shown that it is unlikely that a gene on the X chromosome causes the majority of cases of autism.
How do we know this? By studying many different families in which more than one member has autism, or a variant of autism such as Asperger’s syndrome or PDD, we have seen that in a number of families the “gene” is passed through the father to a male child with autism. Since a father transmits an X chromosome only to his daughters and not his sons, the “gene” cannot be on the X chromosome in these families.
Cuccaro M.L., Wolpert C.M., McClintock D.E., Abramson R., Beaty L.M., Storoschuk S., Zimmerman A., Frye V., Porter N., Cook E., Stevenson R., DeLong G.R., Wright H.H., Pericak-Vance, M.A. Familial aggregation in autism: Evidence against X-linkage as a major genetic etiology. American Society of Human Genetics 1996.
Hallmayer J., Spiker D., Lotspeich L., McMahon W.M., Petersen P.B., Nicholas P., Pingree C., Ciaranello R.D. Male-to male transmission in extended pedigrees with multiple cases of autism. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 67:13-18, 1996.
Serotonin and Autism: What We Know So Far
Serotonin is a chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter (chemical communicator) in our brains. (Specifically, serotonin is concentrated in a part of the brain stem called the raphe nucleus). Serotonin is also present in certain blood cells called platelets. It is thought to be involved in inducing sleep, sensory perception, temperature regulation, and control of mood. Serotonin is of interest to autism researchers because some individuals with autism have consistently been found to have high levels of serotonin in their blood stream platelets. However, it is unclear what a high serotonin level signifies.Dr. Cuccaro and his colleagues at W.S. Hall Psychiatric Institute/USC School of Medicine in Columbia, South Carolina may have discovered an important clue. They conducted a study that looked at the level of blood (platelet) serotonin and the verbal ability of individuals with autism and their immediate relatives. Using a well accepted IQ test (Wechsler scales), these researchers found that individuals with high serotonin platelet or blood levels, had lower verbal ability scores. However, other measurements of intellectual abilities were not changed, including visual-spatial ability or memory. Intelligence is a combination of many different abilities including verbal, visual-spatial ability, memory and other areas.
What does this mean for individuals with autism and their immediate relatives? First, it provides one more biological clue about autism. While not all individuals with autism have high blood serotonin levels, many individuals do. Perhaps individuals with autism and high serotonin levels have one type of autism or perhaps high blood serotonin levels influence the signs and symptoms associated with autism. More research is needed before the relationship between serotonin levels and autism is understood.
Currently, a high or low blood serotonin level does not alter in any way how individuals with autism are managed medically. Occasionally, medications called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. Fluoxetine, Sertraline and Paroxetine) are prescribed for some individuals with autism. (This type of medication is also widely used to treat depression). Serotonin reuptake inhibitors keep serotonin in the brain longer so that its function as a chemical communicator is further enhanced. Studies in different populations of autistic individuals will help establish which individuals with autism will benefit from serotonin reuptake inhibitors or other drugs that influence blood and brain serotonin levels.
Cuccaro, M.L., Wright, H.H., Abramson, R.K., Marstellar, F.A., Valentine, J. Whole-blood serotonin and cognitive functioning in autistic individuals and their first-degree relatives. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 1993; 5: 94-101.
Total Brain Volume Can Be Greater In Individuals with Autism
Thirty eight high-quality magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans of individuals with autism who were more than 12 years old were obtained. In addition, 38 MRIs of individuals over 12 years of age who did not have autism were also obtained. These MRIs were used as controls. Through careful measurement of the volume of the brain, Piven et al. reported that in almost half of the individuals with autism, the total brain volume was greater than in individuals without autism.These results confirm earlier MRI findings reported by the same group. These results suggest a problem in brain development (as opposed to a later injury). Unpublished data suggest that the enlargement may occur in particular regions of the brain and is not a generalized phenomenon. These results should provide important clues about the neurobiology of autism. For example, a new group of genes that are responsible for brain growth have recently been discovered. Abnormalities in these genes may underlie our findings of regional brain enlargement in autism. Also, since brain enlargement occurred in almost half (46%) of the subjects studied, brain size and shape may aid us in eventually identifying subgroups of autistic individuals with different causes for their autism. Dr. Piven and his associates are continuing to study imaging data and will be trying to obtain further funding to follow-up these results over the next year.
Piven J., Arndt S., Bailey J., Havercamp S., Andreasen N.C., Palmer P. An MRI study of brain size in autism. American Journal of Psychiatry: 12: 1145-1149, 1995.
Improvement In Autistic Behavior Seen As Individuals Age
At the April 1995 Society for Research in Child Development Meeting, Dr. Piven and his research group presented the results of their behavioral studies. They reviewed data on the current autistic behaviors in 38 high-functioning adolescent and adult autistic individuals and compared it to their behaviors at age 5 years. These researchers found that there was clear improvement in all three domains of behavior that define autism.However, the most substantial change occurred in the social and communication behaviors. Eighty percent of the males and one hundred percent of the females improved their social and communication skills. Both males and females had fifty percent improvement in ritualistic-repetitive behaviors. Dr. Piven and his colleagues are continuing their study of the course of behavioral change in autism.
Piven J., Harper J., Palmer P., and Arndt S. Course of behavioral change in autism: a retrospective study of high-IQ adolescents and adults. Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry 35:4, 523-29, 1996.
Center for Human Genetics Autism Research
To help us reach the goal of discovering the genetic, or inherited causes of autism, we collaborate with other researchers and medical centers. Our growing team now includes other experts in the fields of autism and genetic research. Our collaborators include Robert DeLong, MD of Duke University Medical Center, Dr.’s Ruth Abrahmson, Mike Curcarro and Harry Wright of the W.S. Hall Psychiatric Institute (Columbia, SC), Joseph Piven, MD at the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA), Susan Folstein, MD at Tufts University (Boston, MA), Nina Sajaniemi, PhD at Helsinki University Central Hospitial (Helsinki, Finland), and their research groups.In order to find the genes for autism, we compare the genetic material (DNA) of individuals with autism to their family members without autism. We also compare genetic material between the families that have members with autism. The genetic material is obtained through blood samples. Once a family decides to join our study, we request all participating family members to give a blood sample. We also review family and medical history and conduct the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) in order to confirm the diagnosis of the family member(s) with autism. However, families will not have to travel to Duke University Medical Center in order to participate. Instead, we try to visit the families personally to collect blood samples and diagnostic information. Family physicians may also collect the blood samples and mail the samples to us. The family history interview and ADI may be done as a telephone interview at any time convenient for the family. All information shared with the Center for Human Genetics is considered medical information and thus kept confidential. Since this is an ongoing research study to identify the genes associated with autism, there are no individual test results that we can report to participating families. However, we update the families participating in our study each year through our newsletter which explains our current findings and research progress.
This has been a productive year for the autism genetic research study. Over the past year we have had the privilege of working with more than 125 families. Sixty of these families have more than one family member with autism. We have enjoyed meeting these families and we look forward to working with them over the next few years.
Support Organizations
- Autism Society of America (ASA)
- 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 650
- Bethesda, MD 20814
- (800) 3-AUTISM
- National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)
- 66 Witherspoon Street
- Suite 310
- Princeton, NJ 08542
- (888) 777-NAAR (6227)
- naar@naar.org
Center for Human Genetics Contact
Autism References
Unavailable at this time.
Autism Newsletter
Available through the mail. Please call (800) 283-4316
Autism Research
Can Autism be Inheritied?
Evidence against X-Linkage as a cause of Autism
Seratonin and Autism
Autistic Brains
Improvement In Autistic Behavior Seen As Individuals Age
Center for Human Genetics Autism Research
Support Organizations
Autism is a chronic, nonprogressive developmental disorder. Individuals with autism have a unique set of symptoms in three areas: socialization (interaction with others), communication, and behavior. Autism is a common disorder, when other diagnoses such as pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise specified – PDD-NOS), and Asperger’s disorder are included in the spectrum.Autism is a complex genetic disorder thought to be caused by one or more genes, either acting alone or together with other factors. Through the Medical Genetics collaborative research study into the hereditary basis of autism, we hope to find the gene(s) that leads to autism. Finding these gene(s) will provide valuable insight into how the disorder is caused and will hopefully lead to improved diagnostic and treatment modalities.
Can Autism Be Inherited?
We are often asked the question, Am I at risk for having a child with autism or having another child with autism? The answer is not simple since autism has many causes. Some individuals may have a genetic form of autism. If possible, the underlying cause for the autistic-like behavior must be identified. Several inherited disorders are associated with autistic-like behavior. Some of these disorders include Fragile X Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), and Phenylketonuria (PKU). When a diagnosis of autistic disorder is made by a health care provider, it is important to determine whether the behavior is the result of one of these well known genetic disorders. If specific testing indicates one of these disorders is responsible for the behavior, the recurrence risk and perhaps the medical treatment will be altered.In most cases, there is no specific cause for autism in an individual. In these instances, the autism is said to be idiopathic, meaning that the behavior is secondary to an unknown cause. These non-specific answers can be frustrating for parents or family members who would like some explanation.
In this research study, we include individuals and families with idiopathic autism because these are the individuals most likely to carry the gene or genes that cause autism. By finding the genetic factors that play a role in the development of autism, we will someday be able to provide accurate recurrence risks to individuals and families as well as develop better treatments.
For families that have one child with idiopathic autism, there is an increased risk of having another child with autism. This recurrence risk is estimated to be about four percent which is greater than that found in families that do not have a child with autism.
Spiker D., Lotspeich L., Kraemer H.C., Hallmayer J., McMahon W., Petersen P.B., Nicholas P., Pingree C., Wiese-Slater S., Chiotti C. et al. Genetics of autism from 37 multiplex families: American Journal of Medical Genetics 54:1, 27-35, 1994.
Evidence Against X-linkage as a Major Cause of Autism
Since it is a known fact that more males have autism than females, researchers believed that autism might be associated with a non-working gene on the X chromosome. Recent data for our group and others have shown that it is unlikely that a gene on the X chromosome causes the majority of cases of autism.
How do we know this? By studying many different families in which more than one member has autism, or a variant of autism such as Asperger’s syndrome or PDD, we have seen that in a number of families the “gene” is passed through the father to a male child with autism. Since a father transmits an X chromosome only to his daughters and not his sons, the “gene” cannot be on the X chromosome in these families.
Cuccaro M.L., Wolpert C.M., McClintock D.E., Abramson R., Beaty L.M., Storoschuk S., Zimmerman A., Frye V., Porter N., Cook E., Stevenson R., DeLong G.R., Wright H.H., Pericak-Vance, M.A. Familial aggregation in autism: Evidence against X-linkage as a major genetic etiology. American Society of Human Genetics 1996.
Hallmayer J., Spiker D., Lotspeich L., McMahon W.M., Petersen P.B., Nicholas P., Pingree C., Ciaranello R.D. Male-to male transmission in extended pedigrees with multiple cases of autism. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 67:13-18, 1996.
Serotonin and Autism: What We Know So Far
Serotonin is a chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter (chemical communicator) in our brains. (Specifically, serotonin is concentrated in a part of the brain stem called the raphe nucleus). Serotonin is also present in certain blood cells called platelets. It is thought to be involved in inducing sleep, sensory perception, temperature regulation, and control of mood. Serotonin is of interest to autism researchers because some individuals with autism have consistently been found to have high levels of serotonin in their blood stream platelets. However, it is unclear what a high serotonin level signifies.Dr. Cuccaro and his colleagues at W.S. Hall Psychiatric Institute/USC School of Medicine in Columbia, South Carolina may have discovered an important clue. They conducted a study that looked at the level of blood (platelet) serotonin and the verbal ability of individuals with autism and their immediate relatives. Using a well accepted IQ test (Wechsler scales), these researchers found that individuals with high serotonin platelet or blood levels, had lower verbal ability scores. However, other measurements of intellectual abilities were not changed, including visual-spatial ability or memory. Intelligence is a combination of many different abilities including verbal, visual-spatial ability, memory and other areas.
What does this mean for individuals with autism and their immediate relatives? First, it provides one more biological clue about autism. While not all individuals with autism have high blood serotonin levels, many individuals do. Perhaps individuals with autism and high serotonin levels have one type of autism or perhaps high blood serotonin levels influence the signs and symptoms associated with autism. More research is needed before the relationship between serotonin levels and autism is understood.
Currently, a high or low blood serotonin level does not alter in any way how individuals with autism are managed medically. Occasionally, medications called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. Fluoxetine, Sertraline and Paroxetine) are prescribed for some individuals with autism. (This type of medication is also widely used to treat depression). Serotonin reuptake inhibitors keep serotonin in the brain longer so that its function as a chemical communicator is further enhanced. Studies in different populations of autistic individuals will help establish which individuals with autism will benefit from serotonin reuptake inhibitors or other drugs that influence blood and brain serotonin levels.
Cuccaro, M.L., Wright, H.H., Abramson, R.K., Marstellar, F.A., Valentine, J. Whole-blood serotonin and cognitive functioning in autistic individuals and their first-degree relatives. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 1993; 5: 94-101.
Total Brain Volume Can Be Greater In Individuals with Autism
Thirty eight high-quality magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans of individuals with autism who were more than 12 years old were obtained. In addition, 38 MRIs of individuals over 12 years of age who did not have autism were also obtained. These MRIs were used as controls. Through careful measurement of the volume of the brain, Piven et al. reported that in almost half of the individuals with autism, the total brain volume was greater than in individuals without autism.These results confirm earlier MRI findings reported by the same group. These results suggest a problem in brain development (as opposed to a later injury). Unpublished data suggest that the enlargement may occur in particular regions of the brain and is not a generalized phenomenon. These results should provide important clues about the neurobiology of autism. For example, a new group of genes that are responsible for brain growth have recently been discovered. Abnormalities in these genes may underlie our findings of regional brain enlargement in autism. Also, since brain enlargement occurred in almost half (46%) of the subjects studied, brain size and shape may aid us in eventually identifying subgroups of autistic individuals with different causes for their autism. Dr. Piven and his associates are continuing to study imaging data and will be trying to obtain further funding to follow-up these results over the next year.
Piven J., Arndt S., Bailey J., Havercamp S., Andreasen N.C., Palmer P. An MRI study of brain size in autism. American Journal of Psychiatry: 12: 1145-1149, 1995.
Improvement In Autistic Behavior Seen As Individuals Age
At the April 1995 Society for Research in Child Development Meeting, Dr. Piven and his research group presented the results of their behavioral studies. They reviewed data on the current autistic behaviors in 38 high-functioning adolescent and adult autistic individuals and compared it to their behaviors at age 5 years. These researchers found that there was clear improvement in all three domains of behavior that define autism.However, the most substantial change occurred in the social and communication behaviors. Eighty percent of the males and one hundred percent of the females improved their social and communication skills. Both males and females had fifty percent improvement in ritualistic-repetitive behaviors. Dr. Piven and his colleagues are continuing their study of the course of behavioral change in autism.
Piven J., Harper J., Palmer P., and Arndt S. Course of behavioral change in autism: a retrospective study of high-IQ adolescents and adults. Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry 35:4, 523-29, 1996.
Center for Human Genetics Autism Research
To help us reach the goal of discovering the genetic, or inherited causes of autism, we collaborate with other researchers and medical centers. Our growing team now includes other experts in the fields of autism and genetic research. Our collaborators include Robert DeLong, MD of Duke University Medical Center, Dr.’s Ruth Abrahmson, Mike Curcarro and Harry Wright of the W.S. Hall Psychiatric Institute (Columbia, SC), Joseph Piven, MD at the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA), Susan Folstein, MD at Tufts University (Boston, MA), Nina Sajaniemi, PhD at Helsinki University Central Hospitial (Helsinki, Finland), and their research groups.In order to find the genes for autism, we compare the genetic material (DNA) of individuals with autism to their family members without autism. We also compare genetic material between the families that have members with autism. The genetic material is obtained through blood samples. Once a family decides to join our study, we request all participating family members to give a blood sample. We also review family and medical history and conduct the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) in order to confirm the diagnosis of the family member(s) with autism. However, families will not have to travel to Duke University Medical Center in order to participate. Instead, we try to visit the families personally to collect blood samples and diagnostic information. Family physicians may also collect the blood samples and mail the samples to us. The family history interview and ADI may be done as a telephone interview at any time convenient for the family. All information shared with the Center for Human Genetics is considered medical information and thus kept confidential. Since this is an ongoing research study to identify the genes associated with autism, there are no individual test results that we can report to participating families. However, we update the families participating in our study each year through our newsletter which explains our current findings and research progress.
This has been a productive year for the autism genetic research study. Over the past year we have had the privilege of working with more than 125 families. Sixty of these families have more than one family member with autism. We have enjoyed meeting these families and we look forward to working with them over the next few years.
Support Organizations
- Autism Society of America (ASA)
- 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 650
- Bethesda, MD 20814
- (800) 3-AUTISM
- National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)
- 66 Witherspoon Street
- Suite 310
- Princeton, NJ 08542
- (888) 777-NAAR (6227)
- naar@naar.org
Center for Human Genetics Contact
Autism References
Unavailable at this time.
Autism Newsletter
Available through the mail. Please call (800) 283-4316
Autism Resources by State
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 Genetic Research
Can Autism Be Inherited?
We are often asked the question, Am I at risk for having a child with autism or having another child with autism? The answer is not simple since autism has many causes. Some individuals may have a genetic form of autism. If possible, the underlying cause for the autistic-like behavior must be identified. Several inherited disorders are associated with autistic-like behavior. Some of these disorders include Fragile X Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), and Phenylketonuria (PKU). When a diagnosis of autistic disorder is made by a health care provider, it is important to determine whether the behavior is the result of one of these well known genetic disorders. If specific testing indicates one of these disorders is responsible for the behavior, the recurrence risk and perhaps the medical treatment will be altered.In most cases, there is no specific cause for autism in an individual. In these instances, the autism is said to be idiopathic, meaning that the behavior is secondary to an unknown cause. These non-specific answers can be frustrating for parents or family members who would like some explanation.
In this research study, we include individuals and families with idiopathic autism because these are the individuals most likely to carry the gene or genes that cause autism. By finding the genetic factors that play a role in the development of autism, we will someday be able to provide accurate recurrence risks to individuals and families as well as develop better treatments.
For families that have one child with idiopathic autism, there is an increased risk of having another child with autism. This recurrence risk is estimated to be about four percent which is greater than that found in families that do not have a child with autism.
Spiker D., Lotspeich L., Kraemer H.C., Hallmayer J., McMahon W., Petersen P.B., Nicholas P., Pingree C., Wiese-Slater S., Chiotti C. et al. Genetics of autism from 37 multiplex families: American Journal of Medical Genetics 54:1, 27-35, 1994.
Evidence Against X-linkage as a Major Cause of Autism
Since it is a known fact that more males have autism than females, researchers believed that autism might be associated with a non-working gene on the X chromosome. Recent data for our group and others have shown that it is unlikely that a gene on the X chromosome causes the majority of cases of autism.
How do we know this? By studying many different families in which more than one member has autism, or a variant of autism such as Asperger’s syndrome or PDD, we have seen that in a number of families the “gene” is passed through the father to a male child with autism. Since a father transmits an X chromosome only to his daughters and not his sons, the “gene” cannot be on the X chromosome in these families.
Cuccaro M.L., Wolpert C.M., McClintock D.E., Abramson R., Beaty L.M., Storoschuk S., Zimmerman A., Frye V., Porter N., Cook E., Stevenson R., DeLong G.R., Wright H.H., Pericak-Vance, M.A. Familial aggregation in autism: Evidence against X-linkage as a major genetic etiology. American Society of Human Genetics 1996.
Hallmayer J., Spiker D., Lotspeich L., McMahon W.M., Petersen P.B., Nicholas P., Pingree C., Ciaranello R.D. Male-to male transmission in extended pedigrees with multiple cases of autism. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 67:13-18, 1996.
Serotonin and Autism: What We Know So Far
Serotonin is a chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter (chemical communicator) in our brains. (Specifically, serotonin is concentrated in a part of the brain stem called the raphe nucleus). Serotonin is also present in certain blood cells called platelets. It is thought to be involved in inducing sleep, sensory perception, temperature regulation, and control of mood. Serotonin is of interest to autism researchers because some individuals with autism have consistently been found to have high levels of serotonin in their blood stream platelets. However, it is unclear what a high serotonin level signifies.Dr. Cuccaro and his colleagues at W.S. Hall Psychiatric Institute/USC School of Medicine in Columbia, South Carolina may have discovered an important clue. They conducted a study that looked at the level of blood (platelet) serotonin and the verbal ability of individuals with autism and their immediate relatives. Using a well accepted IQ test (Wechsler scales), these researchers found that individuals with high serotonin platelet or blood levels, had lower verbal ability scores. However, other measurements of intellectual abilities were not changed, including visual-spatial ability or memory. Intelligence is a combination of many different abilities including verbal, visual-spatial ability, memory and other areas.
What does this mean for individuals with autism and their immediate relatives? First, it provides one more biological clue about autism. While not all individuals with autism have high blood serotonin levels, many individuals do. Perhaps individuals with autism and high serotonin levels have one type of autism or perhaps high blood serotonin levels influence the signs and symptoms associated with autism. More research is needed before the relationship between serotonin levels and autism is understood.
Currently, a high or low blood serotonin level does not alter in any way how individuals with autism are managed medically. Occasionally, medications called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. Fluoxetine, Sertraline and Paroxetine) are prescribed for some individuals with autism. (This type of medication is also widely used to treat depression). Serotonin reuptake inhibitors keep serotonin in the brain longer so that its function as a chemical communicator is further enhanced. Studies in different populations of autistic individuals will help establish which individuals with autism will benefit from serotonin reuptake inhibitors or other drugs that influence blood and brain serotonin levels.
Cuccaro, M.L., Wright, H.H., Abramson, R.K., Marstellar, F.A., Valentine, J. Whole-blood serotonin and cognitive functioning in autistic individuals and their first-degree relatives. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 1993; 5: 94-101.
Total Brain Volume Can Be Greater In Individuals with Autism
Thirty eight high-quality magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans of individuals with autism who were more than 12 years old were obtained. In addition, 38 MRIs of individuals over 12 years of age who did not have autism were also obtained. These MRIs were used as controls. Through careful measurement of the volume of the brain, Piven et al. reported that in almost half of the individuals with autism, the total brain volume was greater than in individuals without autism.These results confirm earlier MRI findings reported by the same group. These results suggest a problem in brain development (as opposed to a later injury). Unpublished data suggest that the enlargement may occur in particular regions of the brain and is not a generalized phenomenon. These results should provide important clues about the neurobiology of autism. For example, a new group of genes that are responsible for brain growth have recently been discovered. Abnormalities in these genes may underlie our findings of regional brain enlargement in autism. Also, since brain enlargement occurred in almost half (46%) of the subjects studied, brain size and shape may aid us in eventually identifying subgroups of autistic individuals with different causes for their autism. Dr. Piven and his associates are continuing to study imaging data and will be trying to obtain further funding to follow-up these results over the next year.
Piven J., Arndt S., Bailey J., Havercamp S., Andreasen N.C., Palmer P. An MRI study of brain size in autism. American Journal of Psychiatry: 12: 1145-1149, 1995.
Improvement In Autistic Behavior Seen As Individuals Age
At the April 1995 Society for Research in Child Development Meeting, Dr. Piven and his research group presented the results of their behavioral studies. They reviewed data on the current autistic behaviors in 38 high-functioning adolescent and adult autistic individuals and compared it to their behaviors at age 5 years. These researchers found that there was clear improvement in all three domains of behavior that define autism.However, the most substantial change occurred in the social and communication behaviors. Eighty percent of the males and one hundred percent of the females improved their social and communication skills. Both males and females had fifty percent improvement in ritualistic-repetitive behaviors. Dr. Piven and his colleagues are continuing their study of the course of behavioral change in autism.
Piven J., Harper J., Palmer P., and Arndt S. Course of behavioral change in autism: a retrospective study of high-IQ adolescents and adults. Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry 35:4, 523-29, 1996.
Center for Human Genetics Autism Research
To help us reach the goal of discovering the genetic, or inherited causes of autism, we collaborate with other researchers and medical centers. Our growing team now includes other experts in the fields of autism and genetic research. Our collaborators include Robert DeLong, MD of Duke University Medical Center, Dr.’s Ruth Abrahmson, Mike Curcarro and Harry Wright of the W.S. Hall Psychiatric Institute (Columbia, SC), Joseph Piven, MD at the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA), Susan Folstein, MD at Tufts University (Boston, MA), Nina Sajaniemi, PhD at Helsinki University Central Hospitial (Helsinki, Finland), and their research groups.In order to find the genes for autism, we compare the genetic material (DNA) of individuals with autism to their family members without autism. We also compare genetic material between the families that have members with autism. The genetic material is obtained through blood samples. Once a family decides to join our study, we request all participating family members to give a blood sample. We also review family and medical history and conduct the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) in order to confirm the diagnosis of the family member(s) with autism. However, families will not have to travel to Duke University Medical Center in order to participate. Instead, we try to visit the families personally to collect blood samples and diagnostic information. Family physicians may also collect the blood samples and mail the samples to us. The family history interview and ADI may be done as a telephone interview at any time convenient for the family. All information shared with the Center for Human Genetics is considered medical information and thus kept confidential. Since this is an ongoing research study to identify the genes associated with autism, there are no individual test results that we can report to participating families. However, we update the families participating in our study each year through our newsletter which explains our current findings and research progress.
This has been a productive year for the autism genetic research study. Over the past year we have had the privilege of working with more than 125 families. Sixty of these families have more than one family member with autism. We have enjoyed meeting these families and we look forward to working with them over the next few years.
Support Organizations
- Autism Society of America (ASA)
- 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 650
- Bethesda, MD 20814
- (800) 3-AUTISM
- National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)
- 66 Witherspoon Street
- Suite 310
- Princeton, NJ 08542
- (888) 777-NAAR (6227)
- naar@naar.org
Center for Human Genetics Contact
Autism Newsletter
Available through the mail. Please call (800) 283-4316
Schools for Learning Disabilities
If you have corrections for information already on the list, or a new listing, we’d appreciate hearing from you.
Alabama
McGill-Toolen High School
1501 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
334-432-0784
Bayside Academy
P.O. Drawer 2590
Daphne, AL 36526
334-626-2840
Churchill Academy
1785 Taylor Road
Montgomery, AL 36117
334-270-4225
Alaska
Gateway School
P.O. Box 113149
Anchorage, AK 99511-3149
EagleCrest Academy
P.O. Box 113330
Anchorage, AK 99511-3330
907-561-7692
907-561-7692 (fax)
EagleCrest web site
Arizona
New Way School
P.O. Box 1481
1300 N. 77th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85252-1481
602-946-9112
Turning Point School
2200 N. Dodge Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
602-236-3300
Arkansas
California
Sterne School
2690 Jackson St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
415-922-6081
The Charles Armstrong School
1405 Solana Drive
Belmont, CA 94002
415-592-7570
415-592-0780 (fax)
Charles Armstrong School web site
Chartwell School
1490 Imperial Ave.
P.O. Box 783
Seaside, CA 93955-0783
408-394-3468
Park Century School
2040 Stoner Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Stellar Academy for Dyslexics
38325 Cedar Boulevard
Newark, CA 94560
510-713-2471
The Frostig Center
Pasadena, CA
Melvin Smith Learning Center
Sacramento, CA
800-505-3276
Melvin Smith Learning Center web site
Valley Oaks School
2230 N. Berkeley
Turlock, CA 95380
209-667-9667
209-667-9205 (fax)
Westmark School
5461 Louise Ave.
Encino CA 91316
818-986-5045
818-986-2506 (fax)
library@westmark.pvt.k12.ca.us
Westmark School web site
Colorado
Special Needs Christian School
3246 South Danube St.
Aurora, CO 80013
303-627-0299
sncs@dnvr.uswest.net
Havern School
4000 S. Wadsworth
Littleton, CO 80123
303-986-4587
Denver Academy
1101 South Race
Denver, CO
303-777-5870
Connecticut
The Marvelwood School
476 Skiff Mountain Rd.
Kent, CT 06757
860-927-0047
The Woodhall School
P.O. Box 550
Bethlehem, CT 06751
860-266-7788
The Forman School
12 Norfolk Road
Litchfield, CT 06759
860-567-8712
860-567-3501 (fax)
formanschl@aol.com
Eagle Hill School
214 Main St.
Southport, CT 06490
203-254-2044
Ben Bronz Academy
139 North Main St.
ASD-Boatner Building, Room 101
West Hartford, CT 06107
860-236-5807
bba@tli.com
Intensive Education Academy
840 North Main St.
West Hartford, CT 06117
860-236-2049
The Rectory School
528 Pomfret St.
Pomfret, CT 06258
860-928-7750
recadmit@neca.com
Watkinson School
180 Bloomfield Ave.
Hartford, CT 06105
860-236-5618
Delaware
Centreville School
6201 Kennet Pike
Centreville, DE 19807
302-571-0230
302-571-0270
District of Columbia
The Lab School of Washington
4759 Reservoir Rd, NW
Washington DC 20007
202-965-6600
Oakwood School
7210 Braddock Road
Annandale, VA 22003
703-941-5788
Florida
The dePaul School for Dyslexia
701 Orange Ave.
Clearwater, FL 34616
727-433-2711
dePaul web site
The Vanguard School
2249 North U.S. Highway 27
Lake Wales, FL 33853
941-676-6091
941-676-8297 (fax)
vanadmin@digital.net
Gulliver Schools
6565 N. Kendall Drive
Miami, FL 33156
305-666-7937
Center Academy
8019 Himes Ave. N.
Tampa, FL
813-931-1012
Morning Star School
210 W. Linebaugh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612
813-935-0232
Tampa Day School
3020 Azeele St.
Tampa, FL 33609
813-876-7202
PACE-Brantley Hall School
3221 Sand Lake Road
Longwood, FL 32779
407-869-8882
407-869-8717 (fax)
pabhschool@aol.com
Georgia
The Howard School, Atlanta Campus
1246 Ponce de Leon Ave., NE
Atlanta, GA
404-377-7436
The Howard School
The Howard School, Roswell Campus
9415 Willeo Road
Roswell, GA 30075
770-642-9644
The Howard School
St. Francis Day School
9375 Willeo Road
Roswell, GA 30075
770-641-8257
The Cottage School
700 Grimes Bridge Road
Roswell, GA 30075
770-641-8688
Mill Springs Academy
13660 New Providence Rd.
Alpharetta, GA 30004
404-255-5951
The Shenk School
282 Mt. Paran Rd., NW
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-252-2591
The Atlanta Speech School
3160 Northside Parkway, NW
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-233-5332
The Howard School
1246 Ponce de Leon Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30306
404-377-7436
The Howard School
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Community Unit High School
4436 Main St.
Downers Grove, IL 60516
630-271-6499
gannerk@aol.com
Brehm Preparatory School
1245 E. Grand Avenue
Carbondale IL 62901
618-457-0371
brehm1@midwest.net
Hamel Elementary School
140 West State St.
P.O. Box 157
Hamel, IL 62046
Indiana
Cathedral High School
5225 East 56th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46226
Worthmore Academy
5220 E. Fall Creek Pkwy. N. Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-253-5367
The Bloomington dePaul School
3800 East Third St.
Bloomington, IN 47401
812-333-0722
Iowa
Clinton High School
817 8th Ave. South
Clinton, IA 52732
319-243-7540
sstaton@po-1.aea9.k12.ia.us
Kansas
Kentucky
De Paul School
1925 Dunker Ave.
Louisville, KY 40205
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Jemicy School
11 Celadon Rd.
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-653-2700
The Chelsea School
711 Pershing Dr.
P.O. Box 227
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-585-1430
The Odyssey School
4445 Roland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21210
410-467-6668
The Valley Academy
301 W. Chestnut Ave.
Towson, MD 21204
410-828-0620
Horizon School
Baltimore, MD
Horizon web site
The Highlands School
708 Highland Road
P.O. Box 98
Street, MD 21154
410-836-1415
West Nottingham Academy
1079 Firetower Rd.
Colora, Maryland 21917-1599
Email: admissions@wna.org
Telephone: 410-658-5556
Fax: 410-658-6790
West Nottingham web site
Massachusetts
Landmark School
429 Hale St.
P.O. Box 227
Prides Crossing, MA 01965
978-927-4440
978-927-7268 (fax)
Landmark School web site
The White Oak School
533 North Road
Westfield, MA 01085
413-562-9500
413-562-9010 (fax)
The Judge Rotenberg Center
240 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021-2341
Phone: 781-828-2202
Fax: 781-828-2804
www.judgerc.org
The Carroll School
Baker Bridge Rd.
Lincoln, MA 01773
617-259-8342
Linden Hill School
154 South Mountain Rd.
Northfield, MA 01360
Riverview School
551 Route 6A
East Sandwich, MA 02537
508-888-0489
Dearborn Academy
34 Winter Street
Arlington, MA 02174
The Willow Hill School
98 Haynes Road
Sudbury, MA
978 443-2581
Michigan
Lake Michigan Academy
1607 Robinson Rd. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-732-4478
Eton Academy
1755 Melton
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
(248) 642-1150
http://www.etonacademy.org
Minnesota
Groves Academy
3200 Highway 100
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
612-920-6377
612-920-2068 (fax)
Mississippi
Missouri
The Churchill School
1035 Price School Lane
St. Louis, MO 63124
314-997-5225
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Morristown-Beard School
Whippany Rd.
P.O. Box 1999
Morristown, NJ 07962-1999
201-539-3032
New Mexico
Designs for Learning Differences
8600 Academy NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
505-822-0476
Brush Ranch School
P.O. Box 2450
Santa Fe, NM 87504
505-757-6114
505-757-6118 (fax)
New York
The Kildonan School
RR 1, Box 294
Amenia, NY 12501
914-373-8111
Maplebrook School
P.O. Box 118, Rt. 22
Amenia, NY 12501
914-373-8191
The Churchill School & Center
22 East 95th St.
New York, NY 10128
212-722-0610
The Gow School
Emery Rd.
South Wales, NY 14139
716-652-2543
The Gateway School of New York
921 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10021
The New York Institute for Special Education
999 Pelham Parkway
Bronx, NY 10469
718-519-7000
718-519-7000 (fax)
nyise@aol.com
NYISE web site
Xaverian High School
7100 Shore Rd.
Brooklyn, NY 11209
718-836-7100
718-836-7114 (fax)
The Norman Howard School
275 Pinnacle Rd.
Rochester, NY 14623
716-334-8010
The Norman Howard School
North Carolina
The Achievement School, Inc.
400 Cedarview Court
Raleigh, NC 27609
919-782-5082
The Key Learning Center at Carolina Day School
1345 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
704-274-3311
The Hill Center
3130 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
919-489-7464
919-489-7466 (fax)
Hill Center web site
North Dakota
Ohio
Marburn Academy
1860 Walden Dr.
Columbus, OH 43229
614-433-0822
614-433-0812 (fax)
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Delaware Valley Friends School
19 E. Central Ave.
Paoli, PA 19301
610-640-4150
dvfs@aol.com
Delaware Valley Friends School web site
The Pathway School
162 Egypt Rd.
Norristown, PA 19403
610-277-0660
610-539-1973 (fax)
Vanguard School
1777 N. Valley Rd.
P.O. Box 730
Paoli, PA 19301
610-296-6700
610-640-0132 (fax)
Stratford Friends School (do not accept children with autism)
5 Llandillo Road
Havertown, PA 19083
610-446-3144
Solebury School
P.O. Box 429
New Hope, PA 18938-0429
215-862-5261
215-862-3366 (fax)
adm@solebury.pvt.k12.pa.us
Solebury web site
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Camperdown Academy
501 Howell Rd.
Greenville, SC 29615
803-244-8899
Trident Academy
1455 Wakendaw Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Trident Academy
Glenforest School
1831 Airport Blvd.
Cayce, SC 29033
803-796-7622
803-796-1603
admin@glenforest.org
Glenforest School
South Dakota
Tennessee
The Westminster School
111 North Wilson Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37205
615-269-0020
Texas
The Briarwood School
12207 Whittington
Houston, TX 77077
281-493-1070
281-493-1343 (fax)
info@briarwood.houston.tx.us
Briarwood School web site
Shelton School
5002 West Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75209
214-352-0920
dj@shelton.org
Shelton School web site
The Winston School
703 Trafalgar
San Antonio, TX 78216
210-342-5345
Crisman Preparatory School
2455 N. Eastman Road
Longview, Texas 75605
903-758-9741
903-758-9767 (fax)
Hill School
4817 Odessa Ave.
Ft. Worth, TX 76133-1640
817-923-9482
The Fairhill School
16150 Preston Road
Dallas, TX 75248
972-233-1026
972-233-8205 (fax)
The Odyssey School
831 Houston Street,
Austin, Texas 78756
http://www.odysseyschool.com
Rawson-Saunders School
1510 Morrow Street
Austin, Texas 78757
512-302-1041
512-302-1182 (fax)
Great Lakes Academy
6000 Custer Road, Building 7
Plano, Texas, 75023
972-517-7498
Utah
Vermont
The Greenwood School
Rfd 2, Box 270
Putney, VT 05346
Greenwood School web site
Dyslexia, LD and Literacy Resource
The Greenwood Institute
Pine Ridge School
1075 Williston Road
Williston, VT 05495
802-434-2161
802-434-5512 (fax)
Virginia
The New Community School
4211 Hermitage Rd.
Richmond, VA 23227-3718
804-266-2494
New Community School web site
Riverside School
2110 McRae Rd.
Richmond, VA 23235
804-320-3465
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Walbridge Academy
7035 Old Sauk Rd.
Madison, WI 53717-1010
608-833-1338
walbridg@chorus.net
Wyoming
If you have corrections for information already on the list, or a new listing, we’d appreciate hearing from you.
| Visit these sites for more information |
| Yahoo Directory of K-12 Schools for Learning Disabilities |
Advocacy Organizations by State
ALABAMA
Reuben W. Cook
Ex. Director
Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program
Adap 526 Martha Parham, West
P.O. Box 870395
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0395
(205) 348-4928
TDD 205-348-9484
800-826-1675
FAX (205) 348-3909
ALASKA
Rick Tessandore
Executive Director
Disability Law Center of Alaska
615 East 82nd Avenue
Suite 101
Anchorage, Alaska 99518-3158
(907) 344-1002 V/TDD
800-478-1234
FAX (907) 349-1002
E-mail – Disablaw@anc.ak.net
AMERICAN SAMOA
Minareta Thompson
Ex. Director
Office of Protection and Advocacy
for the Disabled
American Samoa Government
Post Office Box 3937
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799-0320
00 for overseas operator
011(684) 633-2441
011(684) 613-4163
FAX (684) 633-7286
ARIZONA
Leslie J. Cohen
Executive Director
The Arizona Center for Disability Law
3131 North Country Club
Suite #100
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(520) 327-9547 Voice\TDD
FAX (520) 323-0642
1-800-922-1447
PHOENIX OFFICE – 1-800-927-2260
ARKANSAS
Nan Ellen D. East
Executive Director
Advocacy Services, Inc.
1100 North University, Suite 201
Evergreen Place
Little Rock, Arkansas 72207
(501) 296-1775 V/TDD
1-800-482-1174 V/TDD
Fax (501) 296-1779
E-Mail – advocacy@aristotle.net
E-Mail – hn5322@handsnet.org
CALIFORNIA
Catherine Blakemore
Executive Director
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 185N
Sacramento, California 95825
916-488-9955 Admin Off.
916-488-9950 Legal Off.
800-776-5746
(FAX) 916-488-2635
E-Mail 1232@handsnet.org
E-Mail cathyb@sacramento.pai-ca.com
COLORADO
Mary Anne Harvey
Executive Director
The Legal Center
455 Sherman Street, Suite 130
Denver, Colorado 80203-4403
(303) 722-0300 Voice\TDD
FAX 303 722-0720
E-Mail hn6282@handsnet.org
CONNECTICUT
James McGaughey (Jim)
Executive Director
Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
60-B Weston Street
Hartford, Conneticut 06120-1551
(860) 297-4300
800-842-7303 (State-wide)
(860) 566-2102 (TDD & voice)
FAX 860-566-8714
E-Mail hn2571@handsnet.org
E-Mail hn6587 Ex.Dir@handsnet.org
DELAWARE
Judith Schuenemeyer (FUNDING)
Ex. Director
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.
913 Washington Street
Wilmington, Delware 19801
(302) 575-0660
FAX 302-575-0840
Brian Hartman (PROGRAM)
Director
Disab. Law Program
913 Washington Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(302) 575-0690
FAX 302-575-0840
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Jane Brown, Esq.
Executive Director
University Legal Services, Inc. (ULS)
300 I Street, N.E., Suite 202
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 547-4747
FAX 202-547-2083/2662
FLORIDA
Marcia Beach
Executive Director
Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.
2671 Executive Center, Circle, West
Webster Building, Suite-100
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-5092
(850) 488-9071
1-800-342-0823
FAX 850-488-8640
TDD 1-800-346-4127
GEORGIA
Dr. Joyce R. Ringer
Executive Director
Georgia Advocacy Office, Inc.
999 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Suite 870
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3166
(404) 885-1234 Voice\TDD
1-800-537-2329
FAX (404) 607-8286
E-Mail hn5298@handsnet.org >
GUAM
Eduardo R. del Rosario (Eddie)
Executive Director
Protection and Advocacy of the Marianas (PAM)
Reflection Center, Suite 204
Chalan Santo Papa
Agana, Guam 96910
011-(671) 472-8985/86
FAX 011-671-472-8989
E-Mail hn5986@handsnet.org
HAWAII
Gary L. Smith
Executive Director
Protection and Advocacy Agency
1580 Makaloa Street
Suite 1060
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814-3237
(808) 949-2922 Voice/TDD
FAX (808) 949-2928
E-Mail hn4981@handsnet.org
IDAHO
James R. Baugh
Executive Director
Co-Ad, Inc.
Idaho’s Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc.
4477 Emerald Street, Suite B-100
Boise, Idaho 83706
(208) 336-5353 Voice/TDD
Fax (208) 336-5396
Toll Free 1-800-632-5125
E-Mail – hn5880@handsnet.org
ILLINOIS
Zena Naiditch
Executive Director
Illinois Equip for Equality, Inc.
11 E. Adams, Suite 1200
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 341-0022 Voice/TDD
FAX 312-341-0295
E-Mail – hn6177@handsnet.org
INDIANA
Tom Gallagher
Executive Director
Indiana Advocacy Service
4701 North Keystone Avenue
Suite 222
Indianapolis, Indiana 46205
(317) 722-5555
800-622-4845
FAX (317) 722-5564
E-Mail-ipas@source.isd.state.in.us
IOWA
Mervin L. Roth
Executive Director
Iowa Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc.
3015 Merle Hay Road, Suite 6
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 278-2502
FAX (515) 278-0539
515-278-0571 TDD
E-Mail hn5317@handsnet.org
KANSAS
Jim Germer
Acting Executive Director
Kansas Advocacy and Protective Services
501 SouthWest Jackson, Suite 425
Topeka, Kansas 66603
(913) 232-3469
FAX 913-232-4758
E-Mail JGermer@idir.net
KENTUCKY
Maureen Fitzgerald
Acting Director
Division for Protection and Advocacy
Office for Public Advocacy
100 Fair Oaks Lane, 3rd FL
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
(502) 564-2967
800-372-2988 TDD
FAX (502) 564-7890
E-Mail dfoy@advocate.pa.state.ky.us
LOUISIANA
Lois V. Simpson
Executive Director
Advocacy Center for the Elderly and Disabled
225 Baronne Street
Suite 2112
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2112
(504) 522-2337
1-800-960-7705
FAX (504) 522-5507
MAINE
Kimberly Moody (Kim)
Acting Executive Director
Maine Advocacy Services
32 Winthrop Street
P.O. Box 2007
Augusta, Maine 04338-2007
(207) 626-2774 ext. 104
1-800-452-1948
FAX 207-621-1419
MARYLAND
Elizabeth Jones
Ex. Director
Maryland Disability Law Center
The Walbert Building
1800 North Charles Street
Suite 204
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(410) 234-2791
1-800-233-7201
FAX 410 234-2624
hn6313@handsnet.org
MASSACHUSETTS
Christine Griffin
Executive Director
Disabilities Law Center, Inc. (DLC)
11 Beacon Street, Suite 925
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
(617) 723-8455 Voice
(617) 227-9464 TTD
FAX (617) 723-9125
1-800-872-9992
1-800-381-0577 TDD
E-mail hn5348@handsnet.org
MICHIGAN
Elizabeth W. Bauer
Executive Director
Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service
106 West Allegan, Suite 300
Lansing, Michigan 48933-1706
(517) 487-1755 \Voice/TDD
1-800-288-5923
FAX (517) 487-0827
E-mail hn5293@handsnet.org
MINNESOTA
Jerry Lane
Executive Director
Minnesota Disability Law Center
430 First Avenue, North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-1780
(612) 332-1441
800-292-4150
FAX (612) 334-5755
E-mail hn0518@handsnet.org
MISSISSIPPI
Rebecca Floyd
Executive Director
Mississippi Protection and Advocacy System
for Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
5330 Executive Place, Suite A
Jackson, Mississippi 39206-5606
(601) 981-8207
FAX 601-981-8313
800-772-4057
E-mail hn5999@handsnet.org
MISSOURI
Shawn de Loyola
Executive Director
Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc.
925 S. Country Club Drive, Unit B-1
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
(573) 893-3333
800-392-8667
FAX 573-893-4231
MONTANA
Bernadette Ongoy Frank
Executive Director
Montana Advocacy Program, Inc. (MAP)
Post Office Box 1680
316 North Park, Room 211
Helena, Montana 59624
(406) 444-3889 Voice\TDD
800-245-4743 (MT Only)
FAX 406 444-0261
E-mail hn6510 Exe.Dir
E-mail hn6511 Alan Freed, Staff Attorney
NATIVE AMERICAN PROTECTION AND
ADVOCACY PROJECT (NAPAP)
Therese Yanan
Executive Director
DNA)People’s Legal Services, Inc.
Post Office Box 392
Shiprock, New Mexico 87410
(505) 368-3216
1-(800)-862-7271 – Clients Only
Fax 505 368-3220
E-mail hn4857@handsnet.org
NEBRASKA
Timothy Shaw
Executive Director
Nebraska Advocacy Services, Inc.
522 Lincoln Center Building
215 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-1813
(402) 474-3183 Voice/TDD
800-422-6691
FAX 402-474-3274
NEVADA
Jack Mayes
Executive Director
Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center, Inc.(NDALC)
401 So. Third St. Suite 403 800-992-5715 Toll Free (within Nevada)
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
(702) 383-8150
(702) 383-8170/TDD
FAX 702-383-8170
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Donna Woodfin
Executive Director
Disabilities Rights Center
P.O. Box 3660
18 Low Avenue
Concord, New Hampshire 03302-3660
(603) 228-0432 Voice/TDD
800-834-1721 (NH Only)
FAX 603-225-2077
E-mail hn6217@handsnet.org
NEW JERSEY
Sarah Wiggins Mitchell
Ex. Director
NJ Protection and Advocacy Inc.
210 South Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
(609) 292-9742
800-792-8600
FAX 609 777-0187
E-mail hn5621Exe.Dir
hn5622Rick Considine
NEW MEXICO
James Jackson
Executive Director
P&A System
1720 Louisiana Blvd., N.E., Suite 204
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
(505) 256-3100/Voice\TDD
800-432-4682
Fax 505 256-3184
E-mail hn5412@handsnet.org
NEW YORK
Clarence J. Sundram
Chairman
NY Commission on Quality of
Care for the Mentally Disabled
99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1002
Albany, New York 12210
(518) 473-4057
(518) 473-7378
800-624-4143 (TDD)
FAX 518 473-6296
E-mail hn5344@handsnet.org (PAIMI)
hn5345@handsnet.org (PADD)
NORTH CAROLINA
Allen Perry
Exec. Director
Governor’s Advocacy Council for
Persons with Disabilities
2113 Cameron Street, Suite 218
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-1344
919 733-9250/Voice\TDD
FAX 919 733-9173
800-821-6922
NORTH DAKOTA
Teresa Larson
Executive Director
Protection and Advocacy Project
400 E. Broadway, Suite 616
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
(701)-328-2950
800-472-2670/Voice\Tool free
800-642-6694 (24H. Line)
FAX 701-328-3934
E-mail Beckatpa@aol.com
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
Lydia Barcinas Santos
Executive Director
Northern Mariana P&A System, Inc.
Post Office Box 3529 C.K.
Saipan, MP 96950
011-(670) 235-7273/4/6
TTY – 011(670) 235-7278
FAX – 011-670 235-7275
OHIO
Carolyn Knight
Executive Director
Ohio Legal Rights Service
8 East Long Street, 6th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2999
(614) 466-7264/Voice\TDD
800-282-9181
FAX (614) 644-1888
E-mail hn7149@handsnet.org
OKLAHOMA
Kayla Bower
Executive Director
Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc.
2915 Classen Blvd., Suite 300
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 525-7755
800-880-7755
FAX 405 525-7759
OREGON
Robert Joondeph
Executive Director
Oregon Advocacy Center
620 S.W., Fifth Ave., 5th Floor
Portland, Oregon 97204-1428
(503) 243-2081
800-452-1694
TDD 800-556-5351
FAX 503-243-1738
E-mail hn6919@handsnet.org
E-mail oradvocacy@aol.com
PENNSYLVANIA
Kevin T. Casey
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
116 Pine Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101-1208
(717) 236-8110/Voice\TDD
800-692-7443
FAX 717 236-0192
E-mail hn6067@handsnet.org
INTERNET – 102126.1251@COMPUSERVE.COM
PUERTO RICO
David Cruz Veles
Executive Director
Office of the Ombudsman for the Disabled Persons
Caribbean Office Plaza,
Ponce de Leon Avenue
#670 Miramar
Puerto Rico 00907 P.O Box 4234
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-4234
787-729-4299
(787) 721-4299 Ombudsman
787-725-2333 mESSAGE/V
Deputy 787-725-3606
L 800 981-4125
FAX 787-721-2455
REP OF PALAU
(Vacant)
Executive Dir.
Client Assistance Program
Bu. of Public Health
Ministry of Health
P.O. Box 6027
Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
011-680-488-2813
FAX 011-680-488-1211
RHODE ISLAND
Ray Bandusky
Ex. Director
Rhode Island Disability Law Center, Inc.
349 Eddy Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
(401) 831-3150
401-831-5335/TDD
1-800-733-5332
FAX 401-274-5568
SOUTH CAROLINA
Gloria Prevost
Executive Director
Protection and Advocacy for
People with Disabilities, Inc.
3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 208
Columbia, South Carolina 29204-4034
(803) 782-0639/Voice\TDD
800-922-5225
Fax (803) 790-1946
SOUTH DAKOTA
Robert J. Kean
Executive Director
South Dakota Advocacy Services
221 South Central Avenue
Pierre, South Dakota 57501
(605) 224-8294/Voice\TDD
800-658-4782
FAX 605-224-5125
TENNESSEE
Shirley Shea
Executive Director
Tennessee P&A Inc.
P.O. Box 121257 (Mailing Address)
2416 21st Ave., South
Nashville, Tennessee 37212-1257
(615) 298-1080/Voice\TDD
800-342-1660
FAX 615-298-2046
TEXAS
Jim Comstock-Galagan
Executive Director
Advocacy, Inc.
7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 171-E
Austin, Texas 78757-1560
(512) 454-4816
800-252-9108
FAX 512-323-0902
E-mail hn2414@handsnet.org
UTAH
Ms. Fraiser Nelson
Executive Director
Legal Center for People w/Disabilities
455 East 400 South, Suite 410
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 363-1347/Voice\TDD
800-662-9080
FAX 801 363-1437
E-mail hn5856@handsnet.org
VERMONT
William Sullivan (Bill)
Executive Director
Vermont Protection and Advocacy Inc.
21 East State Street, Suite #101
Montpellier, Vermont 05602
(802) 229-1355
FAX 802 229-1359
VIRGINIA
Sandra K. Reen (Sandy)
Ex. Director
Dept. for the Rights of Virginians
with Disabilities
James Monroe Bldg.
101 N. 14th Street, 17th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219-3641
(804) 225-2042/Voice\TDD
800-552-3962
FAX 804 225-3221
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Ameila Headley Lamont, Esq.
Ex. Director
Virgin Islands Advocacy Agency
7A Whim Street, Suite 2
Frederiksted, Virgin Islands 00840
(809) 772-1200, 4641/TDD
809-776-4303
FAX 809 772-0609
E-mail hn5454@handsnet.org
WASHINGTON
Mark Stroh
Executive Director
Washington Protection and Advocacy System (WPAS)
1401 E. Jefferson Street
Suite 506
Seattle, Washington 98122
(206) 324-1521
FAX 206-324-1783
E-mail wpas@halcyon.com
WEST VIRGINIA
Linda A. Leasure
Executive Director
WV Advocates, Inc.
Litton Bldg., 4th Fl.
1207 Quarrier Street
Charleston, West Virginia 25301-1842
(304) 346-0847/Voice\TDD
800-950-5250
FAX 304-346-0867
E-mail wvadvocates@newwave.net
WISCONSIN
Lynn Breedlove,
Executive Director
Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy, Inc.
16 N. Carroll Street FAX
Suite 400
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
(608) 267-0214
800-928-8778
(608) 267-0368
E-mail yochupa@wp.dhss.state.wi.us
WYOMING
Jeanne A. Thobro
Executive Director
P&A System, Inc.
2424 Pioneer Avenue, #101
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001-3075
(307) 638-7668
307-632-3496
800-821-3091 Voice/TDD
800-624-7648
FAX (307) 638-0815
E-mail hn4927@handsnet.org National Organization
Mr. Curtis Decker
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems
900 2nd Street, N.E., Suite 211
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 408-9514
FAX – 408-9520
Carole Schauer
Contact Person
Program Officer
Protection and Advocacy Program
Center for Mental Health Services(CMHS)
Room 15C-26
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
(301) 443-3667
FAX (301) 594-0091
Bernard Arons
Director, CMHS
Room 15-105
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
(301) 443-0001
FAX (301) 443-1563
