*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****
Hi findacure1991 and thank you for your question. Here is an answer to your question from Naomi B. Swiezy, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry; Clinical Director, Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center; Program Director, HANDS in Autism, Riley Hospital for Children and IU School of Medicine:
Some availability of resources will certainly differ depending upon the precise district/location in Indiana. However, there are many potential local and statewide resources that can be initial sources of support and assistance at various levels.
Local support:
· Contact your school to determine the potential resources there
o Most districts have autism consultants who are trained in autism and often offer groups, individual assistance, peer training and teacher support in programming for a child with an autism spectrum disorder
o Discuss with your case conference committee, IEP committee, or special education team the option of training peer buddies to assist and serve as a peer model in social situations at school such as lunch
o Work with the school counselor or special education resource teacher to identify jobs, activities, clubs that your student can become involved in with students of the same interests
o Oftentimes, parents know the most about resources and successful avenues for services.
o In addition, often parents will form their own groups to meet some shared needs such as social groups for their youngsters
State support:
Contact the Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center (www.iupui.edu/~psycdept/autism)
· for options for the following: o Individual medical and/or behavioral treatment services o Free workshops and events for families, educators and physicians o Training and consultation for educational staff o Downloadable information and tools at their outreach website (www.handsinautism.org)
· for options for the following:
o Individual medical and/or behavioral treatment services
o Free workshops and events for families, educators and physicians
o Training and consultation for educational staff
o Contact the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca)
· This is a state resource for information regarding autism spectrum disorders.
o They have staff who will travel to schools to assist in implementing person-centered planning to incorporate the needs of these special youngsters.
o They have a wonderful website full of articles and information about upcoming events and resources
o They have a newsletter which is a wonderful source for information as well and is free if a resident of IN
o They have a lending library that allows individuals in IN to sign out books and videos for free that provide education about autism spectrum disorders—the resources are sent directly to your house
· Contact the ARC of Indiana (www.arcind.org) for resources and information
Other support:
· There are many great books about autism spectrum disorders written from the perspective of individuals with the disorder, family members, and professionals.
o One great resource is: "Asperger’s: What Does It Mean to Me?" It is structured as a workbook and very interactive and self-paced.
o Use the resources above to assist you in finding reputable journals and books
· Online support
o Utilize reputable sources such as Autism Society of America, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics
o Again, utilize the resources above to assist in identifying the reputable sources of information
My hope is that this will give you just beginning steps in determining a plan for assisting your special son.