Nationwide Resource Database Launched
Autism Speaks has released a highly anticipated online comprehensive nationwide resource database, providing individuals and families with local resources that service a variety of needs from early intervention through adult care. This inclusive database, overseen by the Family Services Committee, provides users with information such as health care facilities, educational services, legal entitlements, recreational and community activities, and adult support services.
According to Brian Kelly, chair of the Family Services Committee, “Our resource database is an ongoing initiative to provide current resources for individuals and families affected by autism. It’s crucial that these resources are inclusive of all age ranges; from the initial diagnosis through adulthood, so that we can continually support the needs of individuals and families affected by this disorder.”
Family Services
The mission of the Autism Speaks Family Services Committee is to empower families and individuals impacted by autism to make informed decisions that maximize the quality of life and development potential of affected individuals; to promote research funding that yields evidence for the best practices in the treatment of autism and associated disorders; and to serve as catalyst and advocate for the implementation of best practices in autism treatment, education, and services from early intervention through adult care.
Family Services Database
As its initial undertaking, the Family Services Committee has launched the first phase of an online, nationwide resource database to provide individuals and families with local resources that service a variety of needs. The database is designed to provide users with information such as healthcare facilities, educational services, legal entitlements, recreational/community activities, and adult support services. While the structure of the database encompasses a variety of providers and geographic areas, we are still in the early phase of including information and the process of including resources will be ongoing. In addition, to ensure the quality of the database, we verify the contact information from each listed resource prior to including them.
In addition, we recognize that for this database to be as comprehensive and helpful as possible, we need your help. We welcome additional resource submissions from the autism community, as well as ongoing feedback regarding the accuracy of the listed information. To provide additional resources or revise contact information as presented, click here.
Legal Disclaimer
Autism Speaks maintains the Family Services Resource Data Base as a service to families as a reference tool. Every effort is made to ensure listings are up-to-date. Autism Speaks does not endorse or claim to have personal knowledge of the abilities of those listed. The resources listed on this page are not intended as a recommendation, referral, or endorsement of any resource or as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any organization, product or professional. Users are urged to use independent judgment and request references when considering any resource associated with diagnosis or treatment of autism, or the provision of services related to autism.
The Family Services Committee
Formed in June 2006, the Family Services Committee is comprised of eighteen members, including individuals from the Autism Speaks Board, as well as prominent professionals within the autism community. Several members of the committee are also parents of individuals on the spectrum.
In addition to the online nationwide resource database, other committee initiatives in progress include:
- The creation of a “100 Day” care package, which will serve as a “roadmap” for parents of newly diagnosed children
- An online reference library
- Tool kits for professionals such as doctors, law enforcement officers, and teachers. Each tool kit will provide specific information to enhance the interaction between individuals affected by autism and the professionals working with them.
- The Federal Legal Appeals Project, which offers legal support to families whose Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)-based hearings have been decided at the administrative level and appealed to the federal level. See if you qualify for free legal support.
Family Services Committee Members
Liz Bell
Parent
Sallie Bernard
Parent, Executive Director, SafeMinds
Michele Pierce Burns
Parent, Director of Development, Celebrate The Children School
Farah Chapes
Chief Administrative Officer, The Marcus Institute
Andrew Conrad, Ph.D.*
Chief Scientific Officer, Co-founder, LabCorp’s National Genetics Institute
Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, M.D.*
Professor, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D
President, Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Susan Hyman, M.D.
Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities
Brian Kelly * **
Principal, Eastern Development
John R. Lutzker, Ph.D.
Executive Director, The Marcus Institute
Gary S. Mayerson*
Founding Attorney, Mayerson & Associates
Kevin Murray*
Chief Operating Officer, Rock Ridge Associates
Linda Meyer, Ed.D.
Executive Director, The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC)
Denise D. Resnik
Co-Founder and Board Chairman, Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC)
Michelle Smigel
Parent
Lilly Tartikoff*
Philanthropist
Kim Wolf
Parent
*Autism Speaks board member
**Chairperson – Family Services Committee
Subcommittee for Young Adult/Adult Services
As part of the Family Services Committee a subcommittee for Young Adult/Adult Services was formed. The Young Adult/Adult Services subcommittee will identify best practices and develop initiatives that address the specific needs of young adults and adults with autism. Its members are:
Liz Bell
Parent
Sallie Bernard
Parent, Executive Director, SafeMinds
Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D **
President, Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Ann Boeker Gibbons*
Information Technology Consultant
Brian Kelly *
Principal, Eastern Development
Eric London, M.D.*
Psychiatrist
Co-founder, National Alliance for Autism Research
Leslie Long
Director of Adult Resources, The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC)
Denise D. Resnik
Co-Founder and Board Chairman, Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center
(SARRC)
Susan Senator
Parent, and author of Making Peace with Autism
Michelle Smigel
Parent
Kim Wolf
Parent
* Autism Speaks board member
** Chairperson of Young Adults/Adult Services subcommittee
Note/Warning:
Autistic people have fought the inclusion of ABA in therapy for us since before Autism Speaks, and other non-Autistic-led autism organizations, started lobbying legislation to get it covered by insurances and Medicaid.
ABA is a myth originally sold to parents that it would keep their Autistic child out of an institution. Today, parents are told that with early intervention therapy their child will either be less Autistic or no longer Autistic by elementary school, and can be mainstreamed in typical education classes. ABA is very expensive to pay out of pocket. Essentially, Autism Speaks has justified the big price tag up front will offset the overall burden on resources for an Autistic’s lifetime. The recommendation for this therapy is 40 hours a week for children and toddlers.
The original study that showed the success rate of ABA to be at 50% has never been replicated. In fact, the study of ABA by United States Department of Defense was denounced as a failure. Not just once, but multiple times. Simply stated: ABA doesn’t work. In study after repeated study: ABA (conversion therapy) doesn’t work.
What more recent studies do show: Autistics who experienced ABA therapy are at high risk to develop PTSD and other lifelong trauma-related conditions. Historically, the autism organizations promoting ABA as a cure or solution have silenced Autistic advocates’ opposition. ABA is also known as gay conversion therapy.
The ‘cure’ for Autistics not born yet is the prevention of birth.
The ‘cure’ is a choice to terminate a pregnancy based on ‘autism risk.’ The cure is abortion. This is the same ‘cure’ society has for Down Syndrome.
This is eugenics 2021. Instead of killing Autistics and disabled children in gas chambers or ‘mercy killings’ like in Aktion T4, it’ll happen at the doctor’s office, quietly, one Autistic baby at a time. Different approaches yes, but still eugenics and the extinction of an entire minority group of people.
Fact: You can’t cure Autistics from being Autistic.
Fact: You can’t recover an Autistic from being Autistic.
Fact: You can groom an Autistic to mask and hide their traits. Somewhat. … however, this comes at the expense of the Autistic child, promotes Autistic Burnout (this should not be confused with typical burnout, Autistic Burnout can kill Autistics), and places the Autistic child at high risk for PTSD and other lifelong trauma-related conditions.
[Note: Autism is NOT a disease, but a neurodevelopmental difference and disability.]
Fact: Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism.
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