Advocates for Special Kids (ASK) – A non-profit organization formed by a dedicated group of advocate-parent volunteers, ASK works to help other parents understand special education: www.AdvocatesForSpecialKids.org

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Resources – Information on recovery from autistic disorders: autism, PDD, hyperlexia, and Asperger's Syndrome and on treatment and therapy (including ABA, behavioral intervention, behavior modification, discrete trial training, or "Lovaas therapy"), special education, early intervention, and child disability resources: www.rsaffran.tripod.com

Autism Speaks – The nation’s top private funder of autism research seeks to uncover the cause(s), prevention, treatments and cure for autism: www.autismspeaks.org

Autism Treatment Network – Provides information, support, and resources focused solely on autism spectrum disorders: www.autismtreatmentnetwork.org

California Department of Education (Special Education section) - Information and resources serving the unique needs of persons with disabilities so that each person will meet or exceed high standards of achievement in academic and nonacademic skills: www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - The largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice: www.cec.sped.org

Disability Rights California – California’s protection and advocacy system: www.pai-ca.org

Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT) – A non-profit organization of parents, family members, and treatment professionals dedicated to providing best education, advocacy and support for the Northern California Autism Community: www.feat.org

First Words Project – Conducts longitudinal research investigation in the Department of Communication Disorders at Florida State University. Their major goal is to identify early “red flags” of developmental language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and other communication delays in children under 24 months of age. Through research findings, their aim is to improve screening tools and early detection of communication disorders by maximizing the role of the family and help families obtain intervention services sooner: www.firstwords.fsu.edu

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) – Part of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the NCBDDD works to identify the causes of and preventing birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd

Organization for Autism Research (OAR) - Led by parents and grandparents of children and adults on the autism spectrum, OAR uses applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers confront daily: www.researchautism.org

The Professional Development in Autism (PDA) Center - Provides trainings and consulting services to school teams working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders from diagnosis through age 21: www.depts.washington.edu/pdacent

TeachTown, Inc. – A subscription service that uses best-practices from research in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), education, speech and language, and developmental psychology. Designed for children with a developmental age of 2-7 years: www.teachtown.com

UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) – CART continues to play a leading role, both nationally and internationally, in developing an improved understanding of the biological basis and neurobehavioral mechanisms of autism: www.autism.ucla.edu

United Autism Alliance (formerly Autism Society Los Angeles) – This organization provides information and referral services, parent and professional training, individual advocacy, support groups, overnight summer camp, and public awareness conferences: www.UnitedAutismAlliance.org

Wrightslaw – Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys can refer to this site for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities: www.wrightslaw.com

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families – A national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers: www.zerotothree.org

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Recommended Reading

The Autism Encyclopedia (John T. Neisworth, Ph.D., & Pamela S. Wolfe, Ph.D., 2004)

The Autism Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know about Diagnosis, Treatment, Coping and Healing (Karen Siff Exhorn, 2005)

Autism Spectrum Disorders (Chantal Sicile-Kira, 2004)

Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals (edited by Catherine Maurice, 1996)

Beyond the Autism Diagnosis: A Professional’s Guide to Helping Families (Marion O'Brien, Ph.D., & Julie A. Daggett, Ph.D., 2006)

Children with Autism (Michael D. Powers, 2000)

Could it be Autism?: A Parent’s Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps (Nancy D. Wiseman, 2006)

The Dancing Dialogue: Using the Communicative Power of Movement with Young Children (Suzi Tortora, 2006)

Getting the Best for Your Child with Autism: An Expert’s Guide to Treatment (B. Siegel, 2008)

Growing Up on the Spectrum: A Guide to Life, Love, and Learning for Teens and Young Adults with Autism and Asperger’s (Koegel, Lynn Kern & Claire LaZebnik)

Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph over Autism (Catherine Maurice, 1993)

Ninos Autistas: Guia para padres, terapeutas y educadores (Trillas, 1999). Translation of Children with Autism, a Parent's Guide. (Michael D. Powers, 2000)

1001 Great Ideas for Treating and Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Veronica Zysk, 2004)

Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope That Can Transform a Child's Life (Lynn Kern Koegel, Ph.D., and Claire LaZebnik)

Raising a Child with Autism: A Guide to Applied Behavior Analysis for Parents (S. Richman, 2001)

Real Life, Real Progress for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Strategies for Successful Generalization in Natural Environments (Edited by Christina Whalen, Ph.D., with content contributed by Sabrina Daneshavar, Ph.D., William Frea, Ph.D., and Ronit Molko, Ph.D., 2009)

Right from the Start: Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism - A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Sandra Harris, 2nd edition, 2007)

Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism (Temple Grandin, 2006)

Voices from the Spectrum (Cindy N. Ariel, 2006)