Autism SpeaksA wealth of information for parents, especially parents who are newly navigating the system after an autism spectrum diagnosis. Autism Speaks' Family Services department is dedicated to empowering individuals and families impacted by autism. We help families maximize their child's developmental potential and improve their quality of life. We promote and advocate for best practices in treatment, education and all services—from early intervention to adult care. Aspergers ResourceThis
website is maintained by a Walnut Creek mom who coordinates a parent
education group that meets the 2nd Monday of each month from 7 - 9 p.m.
at Mt. Diablo Integrated Wellness Center, 325 N. Wiget Ln. (in the Shadelands Business Center off Ygnacio Valley Rd.). Parents can go to her website to
find out details regarding guest speakers for each meeting, as well as
links and other resources. We
highly recommend checking out the resources on this webpage, especially
for parents of newly diagnosed children. You will find information on
gfcf (gluten/casein free) diets, speech therapists, social skills
groups, doctors and much more. Autism 360This website is a tool for you to easily build a profile, find treatment options from others like your child, track progress and get reports that you can share with physicians and care givers. Start by building a profile of symptoms, life events and other details from which we will create for you a structured record. At your own pace, you will be able to see, edit, and update an accurate picture of the strengths and challenges of the person for whom you wish to find answers. Create an ongoing record of the treatments you have tried and responses to these. We track your child's responses to each treatment using seven categories and then compare that to the responses given by the individuals in your child's cluster. This allows you to see in detail which treatments have been more effective for your child. Biomedical Intervention for autism (DAN- Defeat Autism Now)If you are looking into biomedical treatment and have questions about DAN, gluten/casein free diets etc., please contact Lafayette mom, Kris Wiseman at krissiedog@aol.com. Kris has seven years of experience working with biomedical issues and is happy to help answer your questions and point you towards helpful resources. Generation Rescue is an international movement of scientists, physicians and parent volunteers researching the causes and treatments for autism and mentoring thousands of families in recovering their children from autism. Parents in Lafayette recommend: Dr. Lynn Mielke at www.developmentalspectrums.com, Dr. Elisa Song at www.wholechildwellness.com and Dr. David Traver (650) 341-5300 at www.dptmd.com Floortime (developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan)The Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR®/Floortime™)
Model is a framework that helps clinicians, parents and educators
conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop an intervention program
tailored to the unique challenges and strengths of children with Autism
Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental challenges. The
objectives of the DIR®/Floortime™ Model are to build healthy
foundations for social, emotional, and intellectual capacities rather
than focusing on skills and isolated behaviors. Dr Stanley Greenspan has been hosting weekly web based radio shows
since early 2004, addressing different topics on early child
development, parenting, infants and children with special needs,
principles for healthy relationships, and how to overcome mental health
challenges. Check out the website for free podcasts. The Hanen CenterOur
mission
is to provide the important people in a child's life with the
knowledge and training they need to help the child develop the best
possible language, social and literacy skills. Visit the site to learn
more about programs such as 'It Takes Two to Talk' and 'More than
Words'. The Hanen method is used by the teachers and therapists in
Lafayette School District's Early Intervention program. The IAN Project (Interactive Autism Network)
IAN is an innovative online project bringing together tens of thousands of people nationwide affected by ASD and hundreds of researchers in search of answers. Individuals with ASD and their families can share information in a secure setting to become part of one of the largest autism online research efforts in the country. Michelle Garcia Winner, SLPMichelle Garcia-Winner is an International Speaker, Speech Language Pathologist and Author Specializing in Asperger Syndrome, ASD, NLD, ADHD and Persons without a diagnostic label who have Social Thinking Challenges. Visit her website for articles on social thinking differences and links other resources. RDI (Relationship Development Intervention)RDI is a developmental as opposed to a behavioral model, of treating autism spectrum disorders. In RDI, the family has an opportunity to "do over" simple parent-child interactions that allow the child to develop neural pathways that were missed the first time around. Parents are trained to re-establish the guided participation with their child and set them back on a more typical developmental track. There are several families in our Lafayette SPSK group who are practicing RDI with their children. The Burton Valley Parent Resource Library has a copy of the RDI DVD: Going to the Heart of Autism that is available for check out in the BV school library Social StoriesA Social Story describes a situation, skill or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives and common responses in a specifically defined style and format. The goal of a Social Story is to share accurate social information in a patient and reassuring manner that is easily understood by its audience. Carol Gray's Social Stories, Comic Book Conversations and Thinking Stories are perhaps the best known method of helping teach social behavior.To find out more about how to write social stories for you child or to subscribe to a free on line newsletter, visit her website. Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)TACA provides information, resources & support for families affected by autism. For families who have just received the autism diagnosis, TACA aims to speed up the cycle time from the autism diagnosis to effective treatments. TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families and the professionals who can help them, allowing them to share stories and information to help people with autism be the best they can be. The website also has lots of good information on biomedical intervention, gfcf recipes etc. The UC Davis MIND Institute (Medical Investigation of Nuerodevelopmental Disorders)http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/MINDInstitute/ The MIND Institute strives to understand the causes and develop better treatments and ultimately cures for neurodevelopmental disorders. They offer excellent, free lectures by professionals in the field. You can also download many of their lectures for free. Visit their website for more information. US Autism and Aspergers Association Inc (USAAA)
Stay informed by signing up for the (free) USAAA WeeklyNewsletter . Each week USAAA shares the latest ASD news, resources, research, tips, plus more. To subscribe, go to www.usautism.org WrightslawVery helpful website for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with autism and other disabilities. Autism Health Insurance Project
This project was established by a Lafayette mom. Her mission is to
help families, providers and other relevant parties secure health
insurance and other coverage for autism related interventions. The
Autism Health Insurance Project offers workshops, consultation, and
direct representation to families
and providers, helping them obtain insurance coverage for interventions
related to autism. Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB)The
Regional
Center of the East Bay supports persons with developmental
disabilities and their families with the tools needed to achieve lives
of quality and satisfaction, and builds partnerships that result in
inclusive communities. Depending on her/his developmental disabilities,
your child may be eligible to receive intervention services through the
Regional Center. Check Legal Guidance under Support for non profit
organizations that can help you obtain Regional Center services for
your child if s/he is eligible.
Regional Center Contra Costa Office:
Salvio Pacheco Square
2151 Salvio St., Suite 365 Concord, CA 94520 (925)798-3001 FAX - (925)674-8001 |
What is SEED? SEED
is a newly formed nonprofit organization run by volunteers to benefit
students with special needs in the Lafayette School District. SEED is
currently considering strategies to support a wide range of proposals
that could support and enrich the education of special needs students
in the Lafayette School District. SEED intends to raise funds
predominantly through applications for grants from private foundations
and public entities that provide grants. SEED will also sponsor
community-based fund raising events to help build a support community
for our parents with special needs children.
Please
consider volunteering your time. We have positions both large and
small- and it's all important work! To learn more, contact us at |
Autistic Spectrum Disorders |