Autism

While current research links autism to biological and neurological differences in the brain, the specific cause of autism is unknown, and there is no known medical cure for the disorder. There are a variety of therapies and educational approaches available for individuals with autism. However, because of the diverse nature of the affects of autism, no one approach will be effective with all individuals with autism.

National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) -- NAAR is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding the causes, prevention, effective treatment, and ultimately, cure of the autism spectrum disorders.  NAAR's website provides various useful and interesting information including, full version of the recent NAAR Journal articles, research funding, events/meetings, legislative issues, autism links, and a lot more items of interest on autism.

Division TEACCH (Treatment and Educat ion of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children) -- This page features various articles and information from TEACCH faculty and staff, materials from the Autistic Society of North Carolina, and other items of interest on autism.

Autism Network International -- This site was developed as "an autistic run self-help and advocacy organization" for persons with autism. Information is available about the organization itself, autism in general, and includes links to various related web sites.
 

Center for the Study of Autism - This site provides educational information and research materials about autism to parents and professionals.  Lots of information regarding issues, intervention, related disorders, and lots of other things related to autism!   The contents of this site can also be presented by several languages (e.g., Chinese, Italian, Korean, Spanish).

Easter Seals -Easter Seals is a nonprofit, community-based health agency dedicated to helping children and adults with disabilities and special needs attain greater independence. Easter Seals supports services for family members responsible for individuals who are unable to function independently, as well as the individual themselves.

 

Indiana Resource Center for Autism--The Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) supports the efforts of families and professionals who work with individuals with autism. Center activities include research, information development and dissemination, outreach training, and individual consultations.

 

NARIC -NARIC is federally-funded resource and referral service, which disseminates results of disability research projects, as well as information on disabilities and rehabilitation to individuals, professionals, and organizations.

Do 2 Learn-This website provides learning activities.  Many items can be downloaded.  Picture cards and other items useful to setup visual schedules and calendars are also available. A great resource.

Difflearn Homepage -This is an invaluable web site for any parent or professional working with students with autism and other related developmental disabilities. This site was developed to present affordable materials to assist in learning programs for these students. Many of the products compiled within this site were developed by the parents and professionals working with students with autism related disorders. This online catalog features products that will address areas such as social skills, communication, scheduling difficulties, adaptive materials, supportive software, handwriting issues, and much more.

 

The Nebraska Department of Education and UNL Autism Spectrum Disorders Network. This is a statewide network of five regions throughout the state.

Visual Recipes A Cookbook for Non-readers-This is an excellent resource for parents, teachers, and other professionals working with students with autism or autism related disorders. This unique book was written to foster and encourage independent living skills in the kitchen for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. This book provides 35 clear step-by-step directions that can be easily followed by visual learners. The cookbook calls for basic ingredients or brand name products to create simple meals, snacks, desserts and drinks. The photographs and color-coded examples teach to the student's strengths while providing detailed visual instructions to support their deficits and difficulties.

Books

Accardo, P.J., Magnusen, C.,  & Capute, A. J. (2000). Autism:  Clinical and Research Issues. Timonium, MD:  York Press.

        This book provides a professional view of the important clinical and research issues shaping the diagnosis and treatment of children with autism. In this book, you learn about a multitude of issues ranging from behavioral and language interventions for children with autism to helping to meet the needs of parents and families. This book is a valuable source intended to enhance the understanding of issues affecting how to serve children with autism. 
         

Harris, S. (1995). Siblings of children with autism: A guide for families. Woodbine House.

Maurice, C., Green, G., & Luce, S.C. (Eds.) (1996). Behavioral intervention for young children with autism: A manual for parents and professionals. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed, Inc.

        This recent volume focuses on the benefits of behavioral treatment. This book may help parents and professionals explore treatment decisions and issues related to the design of effective early intervention for children with autism.

Myles, B. S., & Simpson, R. L. (Eds.) (2003). Asperger Syndrome: A guide for Educators and Parents (2nd ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed, Inc.

This was written to be valuable to professional and lay people. It addresses basic issues related to characteristics of children and youth with Asperger Syndrome. Focus is also on basic methods to facilitate growth and development of these individuals.

Leborah, D. (1990). Brothers, sisters and special needs. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Simpson, R. L., & Zionts, P. (2000). Autism (2nd ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed, Inc.

        The authors wrote this book primarily for professionals and parents who directly experience the frustration, concern, and uncertainty of living and working with a youngster with autism or and autism-related disorder such as Asperger syndrome. The book's focus is on answering common questions about autism and autism-related disorders, including issues posed to us by countless parents and family members of children and youth with autism.

Soege, B., & Silverstein, S. (1994). Developmentally disabled sibling. Insight Books.

     You can find these books and other autism books for parents and professional through Autism Society of North Carolina Bookstore (ASNC), or ASA Marketplace. ASNC bookstore was established in 1987, has served as the conference bookstore at ASA's National Conference on Autism for many years. 505 Oberlin Road, Suite 230, Raleigh, NC 27605-1345.
Tel: 919-743-0204 ; Fax: 919-743-0208.

Wetherby, A. M., & Prizant, B. M. (Eds.) (2001).  Autism Spectrum Disorders:  A Transactional Developmental Perspective. Baltimore, MD:  Paul H. Brookes.

        This series offers a in-depth overview of the communication and language difficulties characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they relate to development. In this series, the editors bring together research-based intervention strategies in the areas of communication, socialization, emotional regulation, and symbolic development, as they relate to the individuality of a child with ASD. This is an excellent source for educators and professions to learn how to maximize learning opportunities, enhance assessment, and support families in their efforts to facilitate development in children with autism.

  Mental Health: A Report from the Surgeon General (2000).  Advocate-The newsletter of the Autism Society of America, Vol 33 (1), p14.
    This report has discussed on the most current issues on autism and its' treatments.

  Whaley, K. T., Colgan, S., Shaw, E., & Ament, N. (1999). Annotated bibliography on autism spectrum disorders. The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance System. 137 East Franklin Street, Suite 500, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3628. (919) 962-2001, (919) 962-8300,
Fax: (919) 966-7463.

   NECTAS developed this annotated bibliography as part of the training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities of its National Forum on Services for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The materials in this bibliography are selected to reflect a variety of viewpoints, resources, programs, models, research, and approaches. The contents of this bibliography were guided by literature searches in databases such as ERIC, Medline, and PsycInfo; by recommendation from the experts; and by examining reference materials in other documents and publication.
 

    Whaley, K. T., & Shaw, E. (1999). NECTAS resource collection on Autism spectrum disorders.  The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance System. 137 East Franklin Street, Suite 500, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3628. (919) 962-2001, (919) 962-8300, Fax: (919) 966-7463.

  A preliminary version of this resource collection was developed for the participants of two NECTAS conferences held in 1997 as part the National Forum on ASD. These materials represent a variety of perspectives and resources fro providing appropriate and effective programs and services for young children with autism and their families. The inclusion of any particular rehouse does not signify or imply endorsement by NECTAS or by its funding agency. This resource collection is designed for use by state-level early childhood special education staff, local service providers, training and technical assistance providers, preserve and inservice educators, families and others who are interested in the special needs of children with ASD.
 

    Whaley, K. T., Shaw, E., Colgan, S., Sperry, L., & Napp, L. (1999). National contacts and other references on ASD in early childhood. The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance System. 137 East Franklin Street, Suite 500, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3628. (919) 962-2001, (919) 962-8300, Fax: (919) 966-7463.

  This collection of national contacts was developed to help others acquire information and link to a variety of agencies, associations, and organizations. Most of the listed organizations and agencies are nationally recognized and specific to the topic of autism.
 

    Whaley, K. T., & Sperry, L. (1999). OSEP-Funded early childhood projects and project materials on ASD. The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance System. 137 East Franklin Street, Suite 500, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3628. (919) 962-2001, (919) 962-8300, Fax: (919) 966-7463.

    This document lists abstracts of demonstration and outreach projects. Projects Finder contains information on these and other early childhood projects currently funded by the Office of Special Education Program, U.S. Department of Education. Each abstract includes the purpose, target, approach, and outcomes of each project.

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. Pro-Ed, Inc. 8700 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, TX 78757-6857. (512) 451-3246.

This journal provides practical elements of management, treatment, planning and education for persons with autism and pervasive developmental disorders. It includes articles on assessment, vocational training, curriculum, educational strategies, treatments, integration methods and parent/family involvement. Issues in Vol. 12, 2 & 3, 1997, addressed students with severe to profound disabilities.

This newsletter is a quarterly publication of the Autism Research Institute. Primary emphasis is on review of biomedical and educational research in the field of autism and related disorders. The editor is Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. Information on cost and subscriptions can be located at this web address--http://www.autism.com/ari

    This is a refereed journal published quarterly by the National Association of School Psychologist's. Portions of two to three issues a year are devoted to specific mini-series selected by the editorial board.

The Advocate. Autism Society of America. 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 650, Bethesda, MD 20814.

The Advocate presents a variety of information that will increase our understanding of autism or show ways in which the challenges generated by autism can be met. Such information might come from experience or research. Special consideration will be given to material that can benefit persons with autism and those who work directly with people with autism--as do parents, houseparents, teachers, aides, and others. Each issue contains the latest developments in the field, from research to Capitol Hill updates. Articles written by respected autism professionals sit side by side with stories by parents sharing the triumphs and challenges of life with autism. Publication of material in the Advocate does NOT indicate ASA endorsement. The web site for the Autism Society of America, including information on The Advocate is provided via the WWW Links listed above.

This newsletter is published by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism.. It provides practical information related to education across the life span, and focuses primarily on issues related to teachers and other educational staff. More information is provided via the WWW Links listed on the above.

Library of the Autism Society of Nebraska (ASN) -- Part of ASN's library is housed at Creighton.   This is a computerized catalog of the books, journals, and audiovisual materials found in the three Creighton University Libraries.