Is It Autism? What’s Next?

It’s Autism, What’s Next?- PDF

FIRST THINGS FIRST! Please know that you are not alone! Please join one of our monthly help meetings for families with a newer autism diagnosis, come to our drop in office hours on Thursdays from 12-2pm or reach out.

We’re here to help! E-mail Melissa at P2P@arcoftricities.com with any questions or for Spanish, Martha, marthaj@arcoftricities.com.

Seattle Children’s Autism Center, Patient and Family Education provides all the information you and your child need to understand your child’s condition and to participate in treatment.

IS IT AUTISM?

First Signs, Next Steps, Toolkit to help parents who are concerned with their child’s development and guide them through assessment, diagnosis and obtaining services.  The toolkit is free: http://nationalautismassociation.org/first-signs-next-steps/

Have Concerns, not sure if it is Autism? “First Concern to Action Toolkit”: https://www.autismspeaks.org/first-concern-action

Early Signs of Autism Video Tutorial from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders: https://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/centers-and-programs/center-for-autism-and-related-disorders/outreach-and-training/early-signs-of-autism-video-tutorial

What’s Next?

What to do the First 100 Days after an Autism Diagnosis, for families of children ages 4 and under, by Autism Speaks: https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/100-day-kit

What to do the First 100 Days after and Autism Diagnosis for families of children ages 5-13, by Autism Speaks: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/100-day-kit-school-age-children

Parent’s Guide to Autism, by Autism Speaks: https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/family-support-tool-kits

What to do while you are waiting for an evaluation, https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/for-patients-and-families/pfe/pe1863.pdf

SUPPORT:

Help Navigating Local and Federal Resources and Services, check out Resources on The Arc of Tri-Cities website, https://arcoftricities.com/resources

Also attend a parent help meeting or view our video, “Resources/Services Walkthrough” https://arcoftricities.com/parentfamilysupport/parenttoparent

“Learn to Thrive, Not Just Survive:  Stress Reduction for Special Parents” AND “At Home with Autism:  Your Blueprint to a More Peaceful Home” - webinars by NAA, register for free to watch: http://nationalautismassociation.org/family-support/programs/autism-atrium/

“You're Not Alone – Preventing Family Isolation”, video by Seattle Children’s: https://youtu.be/uiODW2Oqr3o

LEARNING ABOUT AUTISM:

Talking to Your Child About Their Autism by UW Autism Center, https://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/training/uwactraining/

The Arc Autism Now, The nation's source for resources and information on community-based solutions for individuals with autism, other developmental disabilities, and their families. A national initiative of The Arc. http://autismnow.org/

On-Line Webinars by OCALI: http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/

Blog and Complete list of Resources by Seattle Children’s Autism Center, https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/autism-center/the-autism-blog/

Live and recorded classes by Seattle Children’s: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/keeping-kids-healthy/development/conversations-about-autism/

On-line webinars by The Johnson Center: http://ariconference.com/

Toolkits by Organization for Autism Research: You can order one of each for free or download, https://researchautism.org/how-we-help/families/resources/

Toolkits by Autism Speaks: https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/family-support-tool-kits

On-Line Trainings by Kennedy Krieger Institute: https://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/patient-care-centers/center-autism-and-related-disorders/outreach-and-training/star-trainings/archive2

Resources for Families from UW: https://depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/Resources.html

Webinars by NAA: http://nationalautismassociation.org/family-support/programs/autism-atrium/

On-Line Trainings by Autism Internet Modules (AIM)! AIM modules are available at no cost. Each module guides you through case studies, instructional videos, pre- and post-assessments, a glossary, and much more. If you would like to receive credit for your time on AIM, certificate and credit options are available for a fee. https://autisminternetmodules.org/

Autism videos, packets, downloads and more, by Sesame Street: http://autism.sesamestreet.org/

Webinars and Research info by SPARK: https://sparkforautism.org/discover/

TACA’s Parent Guidebook, free to order (The Autism Community in Action), https://store.tacanow.org/products/tacas-autism-journey-guide and a website for of information, including about diets and supplements, https://tacanow.org/

Positives of Autism, https://cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/media/168884/positives_of_autism-poster.pdf

Diagnostic criteria using visuals like this one highlight the individual differences and unique presentation that every person with autism has, .https://laconciergepsychologist.com/blog/what-is-the-autism-spectrum/#post/0

UNDERSTANDING STATE AND FEDERAL SERVICES:

“Understanding Developmental Disability Administration (DDA)”, video by Seattle Children’s: https://youtu.be/Aku2xTqUvbM

How to Apply for DDA, https://informingfamilies.org/dda-how-to-apply/

DDA Eligibility, https://informingfamilies.org/dda-eligibility

How to Enroll in DDA, https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/consumers-and-families/eligibility

Helpful Hints about DDA and more, https://arcoftricities.com/resources/blog-dda

Information and Help Applying for SSI and Food assistance, https://arcoftricities.com/resources/financial-assistance

Northwest Access Fund, Free Monthly Classes on line on how to apply for SSI for under 18 and over 18, https://www.nwaccessfund.org/youth/navigating-ssi/

Sign up to receive Bulletins by Informing Families, Building Trust to understand state benefits and much more: http://informingfamilies.org/category/bulletins/

*Melissa and Martha, Parent to Parent provide support in filling out DDA applications and answering questions about services.

EDUCATION / SCHOOL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

How Special Education Works, A 10-Step Guide to the Special Education Process by OSPI, https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/special-education/family-engagement-and-guidance/how-special-education-works

Guide to Special Education by Seattle Special Education PTA, (in multiple languages) https://seattlespecialeducationptsa.org/resources/guide-to-special-education/

PAVE (Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment) https://wapave.org/

WA State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds https://www.oeo.wa.gov/en

Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Special Education Parent Liaison http://www.k12.wa.us/SpecialEd/Families/Assistance.aspx  

Washington Autism Alliance https://washingtonautismalliance.org/

Wrights Law (US -special education) https://www.wrightslaw.com/

The Arc of King County Special Education Toolkit for parents in WA State

https://arcofkingcounty.org/resource-guide/special-education/overview.html

What to do if your child is being bullied in school? Follow these steps! https://wapave.org/bullying-at-school-key-points-for-families-and-students-with-disabilities/

The Functional Assessment of School Refusal, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1072107.pdf

Discipline and Disability Rights: What to do if Your Child is Being Sent Home, by PAVE, https://wapave.org/discipline-and-disability-rights-what-to-do-if-your-child-is-being-sent-home/

WHERE TO FIND HELP and SUPPORT:

New Autism Diagnosis? We can help! Contact Melissa for in person or Zoom trainings for families with a new Autism Diagnosis! p2p@arcoftricities.com or 509-528-8804

Local Resources: Find our Local Resource Directory under “Resources” on www.arcoftricities.com. For help navigating and understanding local, state and federal resources, attend “Resource Help Meetings”, “New Autism Diagnosis Meetings” and watch for parent trainings and Support Groups at The Arc of Tri-Cities.

Find us on Facebook, we have a public page with information and upcoming Arc and community events, “The Arc of Tri-Cities” and for parents, “Parent to Parent, The Arc of Tri-Cities”. We also have a closed Facebook group only for local families dealing with autism and other disabilities, “Better Together of The Arc of Tri-Cities”.

Sign up for newsletter and monthly e-alert on www.arcoftricities.com to receive info of all upcoming parent trainings and support opportunities, including our “New Autism Diagnosis Help Meetings.”

For Support and help with resources, please contact Melissa Brooks, RN, Parent to Parent Coordinator at The Arc of Tri-Cities, P2P@arcoftricities.com or (509) 528-8804.

For Spanish support and help, contact Martha Jones at marthaj@arcoftricities.com or (509) 531-5388.

*Please note that The Arc of Tri-Cities is not endorsing or recommending any one resource. This is for informational purposes only. Please let us know of

any missing or incorrect information. Contact Melissa Brooks, RN at (509) 783-1131, ext. 108 or p2p@arcoftricities.com.

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