Autism Resources

Self-Advocacy Resources

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): A nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people, advocating for equal access, rights, and opportunities.

• Self-Advocacy@Work: Provides tools to help autistic individuals navigate employment, understand workplace rights, and develop self-advocacy skills.

• Self-Advocacy Resources – NACDD: Offers toolkits and guides to support self-advocates in addressing challenging conversations and becoming advocacy leaders.
  
  

Mental Health Support

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network Resource Library: Offers a collection of books, toolkits, and reports tailored to the needs of autistic individuals.

• Autism Research Institute – Self Advocacy: Provides insights and strategies for self-advocacy and disclosure.
  
  

Employment Support

• Organization for Autism Research (OAR) – Support for Self-Advocates: Offers scholarships, employment mentorship, and resources tailored for autistic individuals navigating high school, college, and the job market.

• Self-Advocacy@Work: Provides resources to help autistic individuals understand workplace rights and develop self-advocacy skills.

• Kennedy Krieger Institute – Transition Resources: Provides tools and guides to assist in the transition to adulthood for individuals with autism. 

Guides to Support Development

• Children's National Hospital – Family Resources: Provides a curated list of organizations and tools to assist families in navigating autism spectrum disorders.

• Autism Navigator:  Is a web-based instructional program developed by the Florida State University Autism Institute to increase the capacity of primary care, early intervention, and other service providers, as well as families, to better serve young autistic children.
  
  

Understanding Puberty & Stress

• Vanderbilt Kennedy Center - Stress and Coping: Shares research studies that focus on the emotional , psychological, or physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world.

• Dr. Jenny Mai Phan's Airtable List of Health Education Resources: Offers resources from Amaze to Elevatus and to books and toolkits. 
  
  

Community Support

• Autism Society – Supportive Autism Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Provides educational materials, community events, and support networks for families.

• The Autism Project – Family Support: Offers systems navigation, education, coaching, advocacy, and emotional support for families.

• The Color of Autism: Their goal is to end the stigma of autism in communities of color. We are devoted to building efficacy and empowering families to lessen their isolation.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices

• National Education Association – Teaching Students with Autism: A Guide for Educators: Provides strategies to capitalize on students' strengths and address challenges in the classroom.

• Organization for Autism Research – Teacher's Corner: Offers resources to help teachers better meet the needs of autistic students.

• Sesame Street and Autism: Resources You Can Use: Offers free, bilingual resources designed for families, providers, and teachers to support children's relationships and enhance understanding.
  
  

Inclusive Education Strategies

• Autism Speaks School Community Tool Kit: Designed to support students with autism in reaching their full academic potential by increasing awareness and acceptance in the school community.

• National Autism Center – Educator's Manual to Evidence-based Practice and Autism: A manual providing educators with evidence-based strategies for teaching students with autism.

Research & Studies

• Autism Intervention Research on Physical Health: Promotes the health and well-being of autistic individuals across the life course, with a focus on enhancing physical health outcomes.

• A.J. Drexel Autism Institute: Was founded 10 years ago as the first autism research center in the US to focus on public health research in autism. Their work is grounded in community engagement, and many of the  research questions from our transdisciplinary team address issues at the population level.

• Center for Autism Research at CHOP: Conducts research to understand the causes of autism and develop effective interventions and supports.
  
  

Clinical Practice Guidelines

• Autism Care Network: A collaborative network focused on improving autism care to enhance the quality of life for children with autism and their families.

Federal Resources

• Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) – Federal Agency Resources: Provides a list of federal agencies involved in autism research and services.

• Autism Society – Public Policy Resources: Advocates for legislation that improves the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families.
  
  

Advocacy Initiatives

• The Arc - Policy & Advocacy: The Arc has been at the forefront of the fight for the civil rights and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

• Autism Society – Policy Advocacy Resources: Provides resources for policy advocacy, including information on the Census and elections.

• Autism Speaks Advocacy: Engages in policy advocacy at state and federal levels to support individuals with autism and their families.