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Resources for Educators, Families, and Individuals with ASD

• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) (www.nichcy.org; 800/695-0285 voice/tty). Funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education, and operated by the non-profit organization Academy for Educational Development, this clearinghouse has extensive information about research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), educating students with Autism, what Autism is, Spanish resources, ASD organizations, and commercial publishers.
  
  
• Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Role of the Paraprofessional (2002). By T. Kluba et al. and published by the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota. A curriculum module designed for training paraprofessionals working with students with ASD. Available in facilitator module and corresponding student module (student modules may be photocopied.) For ordering information call the Institute at 612/624-4512 or visit http://ici.umn.edu/products/curricula.html.
  
  
• Assistive Technology for Children with Autism. By Susan Stokes. A detailed article describing specific low, mid, and high tech strategies that can be used with children with Autism to support their skill development and educational goals. Published by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and available online at www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/autism/assist/asst10.htm.
  
  
• Autism Spectrum Disorders From A to Z (http://www.asdatoz.com). By Barbara Doyle and Emily Doyle Iland. A book and Web site offering practical tips for families and school personnel related to supporting students with ASD, from a parent and special educator perspective.
  
  
• First Signs, Inc. (www.firstsigns.org). First Signs educates parents, healthcare providers, early childhood educators, and other professionals with the goal of improving screening and referral practices and lowering the age at which young children are identified with Autism and other developmental disorders. The Web site offers a variety of practical resources.
  
  
• Professional Development in Autism Center (http://depts.washington.edu/pdacent). The Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides training and support for school districts, families, and communities to ensure that students with ASD have access to high quality, evidence-based educational services in their local school districts. The Web site has resources, workshops, services, courses, and a troubleshooting board.
  
  
• Organization for Autism Research (www.researchautism.org). OAR uses applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with Autism, teachers, and caregivers confront daily. The Web site includes discussion forums, research, resources, a database of Autism organizations, and downloadable publications including Life Journey Through Autism: An Educator’s Guide.
  
  
• Skilled Dialogue: Strategies for Responding to Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood (2003). By Isaura Barrera with Robert Corso and Dianne Macpherson, and published by Paul H. Brookes Publishing. This book teaches practitioners how to use Skilled Dialogue – a field-tested model for respectful, reciprocal, and responsive interaction that honors cultural beliefs and values – to improve their relationships with the children and families they serve and better address developmental and educational goals. Available at www.brookespublishing.com.
  
  
• Developing Cross-Cultural Competence: Serving Families (2003). By D.L. Rogers-Adkinson et al. In Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, vol.18, #1, published by PRO-ED. The article presents research-based techniques and practical ideas to facilitate increased competence of teachers in working with families of children with disabilities for whom English is not the first language. On-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/proedcw/focus/2003/00000018/00000001/art00002.
  
  
• Aquamarine Blue 5: Personal Stories of College Students with Autism (2002). By Dawn Prince-Hughes. Published by Ohio University Press. A book written by college students who have Asperger’s Syndrome or high-functioning Autism, and who describe in their own words both the challenges they face and the gifts they can offer to enrich higher education.
  
  
• Autism Society of America (www.autism-society.org). ASA promotes education, awareness, and advocacy on critical issues for individuals with Autism. The Web site has information of use to individuals with ASD, family members, professionals, and advocates, including news, resources, events, and ASA chapters.
  
  
• Autism Asperger Publishing Company (www.asperger.net; 877/277-8254). A publisher specializing in practical books on ASD for parents, teachers, individuals with ASD, and others working with them. The Web site lists publications, and also includes the organization’s newsletter featuring articles by parents, teachers, and individuals with ASD, as well as extensive links to other resources.
  
  
• Future Horizons, Inc. (www.FutureHorizons-autism.com; 800/489-0727). A publisher specializing in publications and conferences on ASD for families and professionals.

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Retrieved from the Web site of the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota (http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/193/default.html). Citation: Cadigan, K., Craig-Unkefer, L., Reichle, J., Sievers, P., & Gaylord, V. (Eds.). (Fall/Winter 2006/07). Impact: Feature Issue on Supporting Success in School and Beyond for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, 19(3). [Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration].
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Hard copies of Impact are available from the Publications Office of the Institute on Community Integration. The first copy of this issue is free; additional copies are $4 each. You can request copies by phone at 612/624-4512 or e-mail at icipub@umn.edu, or you can fax or mail us an order form. See our listing of other issues of Impact for more information.

The PDF version of this Impact, with photos and graphics, is also online at http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/193/193.pdf.

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