The goal of this page is to provide highly useful links for people
seeking more information about autism and Asperger Syndrome. The
small number of links is intentional to keep focused and to avoid
having the user get lost in a sea of links. Each linked page generally
provide a list of additional links for more resources.
Methodologies
Miller
Method
A cognitive-developmental systems approach for working with children
on the autism spectrum. The Miller Method believes that every
child, no matter how disordered appearing, is still trying to
make sense of a confusing environment. Also is the only method
that uses elevated structures as a prosthesis for engendering
body to environmental awareness as well as focusing attention.
Floor time
TEACCH
Treatment and Education of Autistic and related
Communication Handicapped Children.
Boston
Higashi School
The Higashi School provides systematic education through group
dynamics, the intermingling of academics and technology, art,
music and physical education resulting in the ordering of the
physical, emotional, and intellectual capacities of the child.
The goal of this educational approach is for individuals to achieve
social independence and dignity, and to benefit from and contribute
to society.
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Organizations
and Information
Asperger Syndrome
Playaway
Toys
During conferences I can often be found at the Playaway Toys display
reorganizing my senses. One of their hammocks continually stands
at the ready, wedged between the door jams of my home.
Aspergers
Association of New England
As president emeritus of this premier organization for the Asperger
community in the six Northeastern states, I continue to maintain
my involvement where possible as a presenter at their regional
conference and other events. In addition we have support groups
for siblings and parents of children with Asperger Syndrome as
well as providing information about this different order of being.
Asperger Syndrome
and High Functioning Autism Association (AHANY)
As a sort of "sister" organization to the Asperger's
Association of New England, this group provides information and
support from Montauk to Manhattan. Hosts 2 regional conferences
a year, their Spring event focuses on issues faced by adults on
the autism spectrum whereas the Fall conference emphasis research-based
educational strategies for students with autism at grade school
level. AHANY
also runs support groups for individuals with Asperger syndrome
and their parents.
MAAP
Services
I serve on their board of directors and we host national conferences
on high functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome as well as providing
information.
Unlocking
Autism
I also serve on their board of directors. This organization focuses
on building autism awareness and raising funds for research.
Online
Asperger Syndrome Information and Service (O.A.S.I.S.)
One of the largest, a classic site on Asperger Syndrome. Some
of everything for anyone.
Liane Willey,
Ed. D.
A good friend of mine. Author of Pretending to be Normal and Asperger
Syndrome in the Family.
Tony
Attwood, Ph. D.
Tonys site is a helpful guide for parents, professionals,
people with Aspergers Syndrome, and their partners.
Veronica
Bird Charitable Foundation
Dedicated to promoting better understanding and awareness
of autism around the world, funding projects that will enable
parents and professionals to obtain information about autism
to
fund autism research, destigmatize autism and related disorders
worldwide and to bring together the Autism Community as one.
The
Asperger Marriage Web Site
Chris & Gisela Slater-Walker are a married couple where one
of the partners has Aspergers Syndrome. Their goal is to
provide a positive message about Aspergers Syndrome within
marriage, and to show that it is possible to maintain a functional
and successful relationship. Their book, An Asperger Marriage,
examines a successful marriage from two perspectives: a husband
who has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and his wife coming
to terms with a marriage in which there would never be an intuitive
understanding despite her husband's good intentions.
Families
of Adults Afflicted with Asperger Syndrome
Offers support to family members of adult individuals with Aspergers
Syndrome, bring awareness of, and educate the public to the existence
of Aspergers Syndrome in the ADULT population as well as
its affect on the whole family.
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Autism
Autism
Society
Having served on their board of directors for 9 and a half years
I now consider myself as a friend to the Autism Society. There
is a lot of good introductory information on autism and Asperger
Syndrome as well as contact information for the AS network of
state and regional chapters.
Autism Research
Institute (ARI)
Founded by Dr. Bernard Rimland - after initiating the
Autism
Society - ARI is the oldest organization devoted to seeking
medical causes of and interventions for individuals with autism
as emphasized in their bi-annual Autism
Research Institute conferences. Recently, ARI
has expanded into new areas such as education,
adult
issues, and spearheading a global consortium of autism organizations.
Check out their newsletter
archive for a wealth of information!
Autism
Speaks
Founded in 2005, Autism
Speaks is the "new kid" on the block and is devoted
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. Although the issue of prevention and cure of autism
remain controversial, their tool
kits have helped many families through the initial stages
of meeting the challenges when their child is diagnosed as on
the autism spectrum.
US Autism and
Asperger Alliance (USAAA)
Run by Dr. Larry Kaplan, USAAA
is a leading nonprofit organization for education, support, and
solutions. An important goal of the organization is to "Provide
the Opportunity" for individuals with autism spectrum differences
to achieve their fullest potential.
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Organizations By and For People on the Autism Spectrum
Autism
Resources
This has to be on of the most complete general site on autism
in existence.
Autism
Network International
Autism Network International (ANI) is a self-advocacy organization
of, by, and for people on the autism spectrum. ANI was founded
in 1992 by Donna Williams, Kathy Grant, and Jim Sinclair. ANI
is a good resource for people with AS (and other forms of autism)
to meet one anotheradults as well as kidsand for families
to network as well.
Autistic
Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Run by Ari Ne'eman and his team ASAN
seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement
with regard to autism. Drawing on the principles of the cross-disability
community, ASAN
seeks to organize the community of Autistic adults and youth to
have our voices heard in the national conversation about us. ASAN
believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in
which Autistic people enjoy the same access, rights, and opportunities
as all other citizens. We hope to empower Autistic people across
the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our
common community. Nothing About Us, Without
Us!
Autistics.org
Writings and resources presented primarily for and by people with
autism.
ANCA
Dedicated to working with people on the autism spectrum by teaching
them using their learning styles to make more sense of the world.
Also dedicated to recognition of and celebration of autistic strengths
and their contributions to the community at large.
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Publishers
Autism
Asperger Publishing Company
Publisher of my book, Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences
with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. They have a number of books
on understanding and working with children and young adults on
the autism spectrum. In addition, they host numerous conferences
around the United States.
Jessica Kingsley
Publishers
A publishing house located in England. The largest publisher of
books on the autism spectrum, they have texts on other disabilities
as well.
Future
Horizons
Directed by Wayne Gilpin. The oldest publisher devoted to the
autism spectrum. In addition, they host numerous conferences around
the world.