Resources
Local (Montgomery County, MD)
Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS): The Department of Health and Human Services has primary responsibility for the delivery of public health and human services that address the basic and critical needs of the county’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors in Montgomery County.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhstmpl.asp?url=/content/hhs/ads/disabilitysite.asp
Community Support Services (CSS): CSS currently supports 150 individuals, in accordance with each consumer’s individual plan of care, operates 30 alternative living units, and provides therapies and related services on a consultation basis. CSS provides supported employment services, day habilitation services, and residential services, including collaborative therapeutic recreational programs and special activities and events. CSS also sponsors Making Connections, a social program for adults in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area with mild developmental delays.
Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC): CSAAC is a nationally recognized leader in developing state-of-the-art services for people with autism and serves as a model for other agencies developing community based housing, employment, and other related services. CSAAC’s Supported Employment program enables many CSAAC individuals to perform jobs within the community and at over 40 different employment locations. CSAAC currently operates 52 community living residences for 130 residents around Montgomery County, two school sites, an after-school program, an early intervention home-based program and classroom-based preschool program.
Montgomery County Autism Society of America (MCASA): MCASA is a group of parents and professionals dedicated to the education and welfare of adults and children with severe disorders of communication and behavior. Their mission, through advocacy, information, referral, support groups, and financial aid, is to make Montgomery County a better place for persons with autism.
http://www.autismmontgomerycounty.com/
Autism Connect: The purpose of AutismConnect is to provide stakeholders in the state of Maryland with an online resource that will assist them in locating and securing resources for individuals with autism. The website focuses specifically on research, educational resources, and advocacy organizations available to families in Maryland.
http://www.autismconnectmd.org/
SEEC: SEEC offers a variety of programs to help Montgomery County residents who have significant disabilities become involved and valued members of our community. Supports for community inclusion are provided through our three key programs: Community Living, Vocational and Recreational Day Supports, and Family Support Services. Supports and services are individualized to meet each person’s unique goals and are delivered solely in the community.
The Arc of Montgomery County: The Mission of The Arc of Montgomery County is to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with lifelong opportunities to live, learn, work and play with dignity, freedom and full inclusion in the community.
The Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC): TLC – The Treatment and Learning Centers is a local, non-profit organization in Rockville, MD. They offer many first-rate programs and services for the community, including a Family Hearing Center, childcare and preschool programs, testing and tutoring services and a community education program. They specialize in services for children and adults with learning disabilities, helping them reach their full potential. Our pediatric services include speech-language and occupational therapy, interaction groups, summer programs, and The Katherine Thomas School, an independent special education day school for students preschool to 12th grade. For adults with disabilities, we offer multiple programs through our Outcomes Service.
Maryland’s Autism Legislation:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb0273.htm
National
Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
Autism Society of America: The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
Autism Spectrum Quarterly: Autism Spectrum Quarterly is a unique international publication that represents a new genre in the field of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). As the one and only MAGAJOURNAL®, ASQ’s mission is to serve as the information leader and bridge between the research and general autism communities. Its aim is to bring its readers the high-interest articles they want AND the reader-friendly, cutting-edge science news they need. To accomplish this, ASQ brings together outstanding researchers, well-respected professionals, exceptional parents, and highly articulate individuals with ASD.
http://www.asquarterly.com/welcome.html
REsource for Advancing Children’s Health Institute (REACH): The REACH Institute is dedicated to improving the mental health of the 10 million American youth with emotional and behavioral challenges. Led by national leaders in child psychiatry, REACH arms thousands of individuals and institutions with the best, evidence-based therapies to improve the mental health of children and adolescents. They train pediatricians, family practitioners, child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, school personnel and parents and their advocates in the most effective therapies, from psychotherapy to pharmacology.
http://www.thereachinstitute.org/
Best Buddies: Best Buddies is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Autism Votes: In the fall of 2007, Autism Speaks launched “Autism Votes,” a comprehensive grassroots advocacy program, coordinating activist efforts in support of federal and state legislative initiatives.
http://www.autismvotes.org/site/c.frKNI3PCImE/b.3909853/k.BE44/Home.htm
