This Yale University Seminar on Autism and Related Disorders is the United States’ first undergraduate course of its kind. The class consists of a weekly seminar on diagnosis and assessment, etiology and treatment of children, adolescents and adults with autism and related disorders of socialization.

This series of videos on YouTube focus on a puppet named Buddy. Buddy needs help learning how to have proper table manners, eating in a restaurant, and overcoming other social challenges.

The series is geared for younger children.

A initiative called ‘Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive!’ was launched recently by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to promote behavioral and developmental screening for young children ages birth to 5. By raising awareness of child development, the program will help families look for and celebrate milestones, promote universal screenings, identify delays as early as possible, and improve the support available to help children succeed.

Multiple resources and supports are available for early childhood professionals and families to help track progress and determine potential delays in young children.

Endeavor 3 helps give the structure of a simple, yet powerful schedule for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It gives reminders throughout the day, making the person more independent.

If you believe this app would be effective for your family (or student) but find it is too costly, there are opportunities available for financial assistance, including your local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Contact our Helpdesk for more information.

A concise guide to teaching your child with sensory issues how to learn to celebrate Halloween.

This app has self-directed learning sessions for 40 important skills necessary for living independently and accessing the community based on proven content. Anyone who needs support learning and maintaining skills necessary for daily living, learning context appropriate social skills and skills necessary for accessing the community can benefit from the simplicity of Everyday Skills.

If you believe this app would be effective for your family (or student) but find it is too costly, there are opportunities available for financial assistance, including your local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Contact our Helpdesk for more information.

A parents’ guide to feeding behaviors in people with autism spectrum disorders.

This comprehensive online guide helps families make future plans for a family member with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

As autism awareness has grown dramatically in recent years, many young adults and adults have learned the signs and felt there may be a connection between their feelings and behaviors and the symptoms of autism.

“Is It Autism and If So, What Next? A Guide for Adults” was designed to help adults who suspect they may have autism, as well as those recently diagnosed with the disorder. This kit will provide an overview of autism to help you better understand the disorder and will hopefully clarify whether you should seek out a professional for a thorough evaluation.

The “Kit for Kids” is designed to teach elementary and middle school students about their peers with autism. The kit is centered around an illustrated, fold-out booklet called, “What’s Up with Nick?”

Additionally, there is a web video and activity workbooks that expand upon the information presented in the “What’s Up with Nick?” story and give students a chance to engage with the material they just learned in the lesson. There are different workbooks for students in grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. They can be assigned as independent or group classwork, or as homework.

For more information, to order a print copy of the Kit for Kids, or to start a peer education initiative in your school district, please contact Ben Kaufman at (703)243-9762 or programs@researchautism.org.

This app provides self-directed learning sessions for 27 important safety skills topics based on proven content. The topics include home safety and personal safety information.

If you believe this app would be effective for your family (or student) but find it is too costly, there are opportunities available for financial assistance, including your local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Contact our Helpdesk for more information.

An informative article that gives suggestions on ways to teach safety skills and prevent wandering.

NAA’s Meet the Police safety initiative is a free, downloadable toolkit for individuals with autism, parents or caregivers who are concerned about their loved one’s safety in the community. The purpose of this program is to help enhance the quality of interactions between individuals with autism and members of law enforcement.

The toolkit includes steps you can take to establish trusting relationships, reduce confusion and fear, and encourage opportunities for law enforcement agencies to get to know members of their community who may be at increased risk due to behaviors commonly associated with autism.

A guide, from the point of view of a parent, elaborating what needs to be done legally to help a child with ASD when they turn 18.

View Here

A tool for parents, therapists and educators to help teach pre-writing skills to children in order to build a strong foundation for beginning printers. This app was created by an Occupational Therapist with 25 years’ experience.

Award winning augmentative communication aid that uses visual scenes for context based communication and interactive learning aids. Personalize scenes with audio messages, video clips, symbols, and links to other scenes.
A new feature allows you to create and print custom communication books.

If you believe this app would be effective for your family (or student) but find it is too costly, there are opportunities available for financial assistance, including your local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Contact our Helpdesk for more information.

A customizable app that provides a framework on the iPad to create interactive visual scene displays and social stories. Scene Speak allows an image to be edited with active “hotspots”. A hotspot is an area of the screen that can “sound areas” that can be selected and used as a means of communication.

Scene Speak is a communication tool for anyone wanting to enhance receptive language or visual memory.

Children’s safety book written by Robert Kahn. Told through the eyes of children, this book teaches children how to keep themselves safe from strangers.

Children’s book written by Robert Kahn. Teaches children how to be smart and safe against bullying.

Fun game that teaches about physics.

A concise introduction to life as a college student with Asperger Syndrome.

This video features Michael John Carley from the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Project (GRASP) and Kiriana Cowansage, an NYU Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Neuroscience as the primary instructors. OAR’s own Scientific Council Chairman, Dr. Peter Gerhardt, also appears in the video to provide information on the topic of “reasonable accommodations” in the college classroom.

WayFinder 3 is an accessible Garmin or TomTom, and it helps people with intellectual disabilities to travel safely, whether by bus or on foot. The traveler simply taps on the picture of their desired destination and WayFinder 3 takes over from there.

If you believe this app would be effective for your family (or student) but find it is too costly, there are opportunities available for financial assistance, including your local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Contact our Helpdesk for more information.

In an effort to promote a more inclusive classroom environment, this short video uses animation and sound to teach elementary and middle school students about their peers with autism. To be used in coordination with the Kit for Kids, a peer education resource produced by the Organization for Autism Research (OAR).

This is a 1 hour video/audio recording of a webinar conducted by Mandi Rickelman, MA, Early Childhood Supervisor and Anna Hutt Fredman, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech/Language Pathologist from Monarch Center for Autism. The webinar aired on May 8, 2014 and answered the following questions: Why are visual schedules so important? How do I customize visual schedules for my child to make them more meaningful and more motivating? How do I implement visual schedules?

Available in English and Spanish

En Español: Autism Speaks 100 Day Tool Kit – Spanish

This resource is a directory of summer day and overnight camps, adult day programs, respite programs, and therapy groups. It is updated every year and is hosted by State Support Team 3 and the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga. The information in this directory is meant to be used as a reference and should not be considered comprehensive or an endorsement of any program or product.

This non-profit organization trains and places quality, task-trained service dogs to children worldwide.

4 Paws was the first agency in the United States to begin placing task trained Autism Assistance Dogs and the first agency known to place these assistance dogs with tracking skills. Assistance Dogs can be trained in a variety of tasks to assist a child. These include behavior disruption, to distract and disrupt repetitive behaviors or ‘meltdowns’, tethering to prevent and protect a child from wandering, and search and rescue tracking to locate a child who has eloped, as children with autism are inclined to do.

A Guide to Safety was written by parents, first responders, educators, and community members who share their strategies and resources to address safety threats that commonly arise during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

It covers a range of topics, including:

Safety network development
Prevention and management of wandering and elopement behaviors
Relationship, physical, and sexual safety discussions
Strategies to address bullying and online threats
Tips on money and workplace safety

The goal of the RideWise Program is to promote the independent travel of older adults and people with disabilities by providing free access to training and support. This guide was created to cover a wide range of topics related to travel using a fixed-route transportation system.

Read the guide here.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) published this guide. The Office of Special Education Programs (along with partners in the Rehabilitation Services Administration) has issued this guide to advance efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be engaged in the 21st century workforce.

This transition guide addresses the following topics to facilitate a seamless transition from school to post-school activities:
Transition planning: opportunities and programs
Transition services and requirements, as authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act;
Education and employment options for students and youth with disabilities after leaving secondary school; Supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities.

Evidence-based, solution-focused services in educational services to schools and families. They offer academic tutoring, specialized reading programs, summer social skills groups, speech and occupational therapy and psychotherapy. They also offer ADOS autism assessment testing for children ages 7 and up.

They work with students that are pre-school until 12th grade. Their psychotherapists can work with adults as well.

A+ Solutions is a Jon Peterson and Autism Scholarship provider, and accepts private pay.

Rick Schindelheim is on the staff at A+ and counsels tweens and teens.
Other team members that can see patients with autism are Sima Brochie Weinberg, LPCC; Oren Meyers, PhD; Heather Baker, LPPC-S; Lauren Ehrenreich, MSSA LISW-S; Courtney Evenchik MA NCSP; and Jenny Wolinetz, LSW.

An overview of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and discusses the various approaches used in dealing with the different symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Spanish ABA Overview training webcast is the original English version with added sub-titles for Spanish speaking viewers.

Una visión general de Análisis de Comportamiento Aplicado (ABA ) y analiza los diversos enfoques utilizados en el tratamiento de los diferentes síntomas de trastornos del espectro autista . El español ABA general de transmisión en la formación es la versión original en Inglés con subtítulos agregados para los televidentes de habla hispana.

You can purchase the ABA Overview webcast by following this link.

This app developer that has created several life skills apps to be used by professionals and families. These apps help developmentally disabled people function independently in various ways of life.

Their apps include:
WayFinder 3
Endeavor
Visual Impact 3
Everyday Skills
Living Safely

and are available for Android, iPad and smartphone applications.

Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida outside of Miami, Nova Southeastern University’s Access Plus Support Programs, designed for students with ASD, provides support to allow them to succeed on campus, academically and socially.

Behavioral and Educational Consulting across all settings
– BCBA Independent Supervision
– Individual consulting across settings (for those outside of Cuyahoga County or when not eligible for CCBDD Services)
– ADA Programming and positive supports for businesses

Helping others achieve life outcomes.

Services are not covered by insurance, however they will begin accepting CareSource as of December 27, 2017.

Ace Taxi is MEDICAID APPROVED and work with certified, compassionate drivers that are specifically trained to transport all riders from children to seniors with all types of physical, development and mental conditions.

A school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade on the West Side in Westlake, Ohio.

They are an alternative public school option, with many local school districts referring and transporting their students to the Achievement Centers. The curriculum is aligned with Ohio’s K-8 Academic Content Standards.

A six-week summer program to complete the 12-month educational and therapeutic focus is included in the yearly tuition.

The ACT Today! board provides funding assistance to families on a quarterly basis.

Click here for more information and to access the ACT Today! and ACT Today! for Military Families Grant Application Form:
www.wizehive.com/apps/acttoday2013

An adapted Jazzercize class for people with disabilities, including people in wheelchairs. The exercises are low-impact and offer an opportunity for developing social skills while getting some exercise.

Classes are held Tuesday evenings.

A resource for schools, medical providers and families on how to incorporate current and future medical needs for teens and young adults into transition plans.

Adolescent Healthcare Transition assists youth, parents, physicians, and other providers in the transition and transfer of youth with special healthcare needs from pediatric to adult healthcare.

Several booklets, articles and checklists help guide adolescents and their parents to help work towards transition.

This web site has information and worksheets for adults on the autism spectrum, supporters, and healthcare providers. It focuses on primary healthcare, or healthcare with a regular doctor.

The resources on this site are meant to improve the healthcare of autistic adults. The resources on this site are meant to improve the healthcare of autistic adults. They were made by the Academic-Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) through a series of research studies funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

This tool kit provides basic information on advocacy and negotiation skills. The information in this kit has been provided by experts in the field who have both professional and personal experience with advocacy and autism.

This new publication, developed by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, is designed to provide adults, teens, and Indiana families a place to start to navigate systems after receiving a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder.

The booklet includes information on what it means to have an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, what services and supports are available, funding, and a state resource list.

A law firm that specializes in special education law, the use of individualized education programs (IEPs), mediation, due process hearings, state administrative review, and federal lawsuits to obtain necessary services from schools.

They also have a Columbus Office:
134 Northwoods Blvd., Suite A2
Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 607-1300

Information, research study results and professional input on autism

Through its ten regional centers, the ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their services are tailored to meet the needs of business, government and individuals at local, regional and national levels.

Lorain County

A Facebook group labeled as “Appalachian Family Center for Autism and Disability Resources and Education” that is open for anyone to join. They also have a “secret” parent-only group that serves as parent support group. This requires having a FB friend in the group. The creater of the group, Noriko Kantake, can add you to the secret group.

This website aggregates apps, shows price reductions and gives descriptions of apps while listing them by category.

Offers guardianship services to residents of Ohio, ages 18 and over, who have a disability.

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written document that is developed for each eligible child with a disability. Federal regulations specify the procedures that school districts must follow to develop, review, and revise the IEP for each child. This toolkit is designed to help you understand your child’s right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), and how to work together with your school district to create an effective IEP.

This program supports college students with ASD in reaching their full potential. Varying levels of academic, social and residential support are designed to aid students in meeting their personal and professional goals.

ASD Strategies in Action will provide online training on evidence-based practices that can be used in the home, school, and workplace of individuals with ASD. A wide range of social-communication and behavioral interventions is offered within one of the following three tracks: early intervention/early childhood, school-age, or transition/young adulthood.

Services provided include meetings three times a week to assist with development of these skills, a required weekly four hours of study in the program’s building, group meetings every other week, one-on-one discussions with a mentor to help the student adjust to college, and help with seeking employment following graduation.

To be accepted to the program, a student must have a diagnosis of high-functioning Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and should be able to provide supporting documentation.

Click here for their brochure.

Parent Mentor #1 of 2 available mentors

Parent Mentor #2 of 2 available mentors

Special education contacts for the Ashtabula school district:

Lori Riley, M.A.Ed.
Director of Special Education Services
lori.riley@neomin.org
(440) 992-1295

Lisa Newsome, M.S.Ed.
Supervisor of Special Education Services & Administrator for Early Learning Center
lisa.newsome@neomin.org
(440) 992-1280

Support group for families living with autism.

Offers a variety of school services for children with developmental disabilities from birth to 21, including Early Intervention, Preschool, and School Age services.

Adult Services include employment assistance,community support, supported living/waiver services, investigative support, family support and transportation services.

Asperger Experts is based out of Seattle, Washington and is a group that enlivens, empowers and educates people with Asperger’s, their families, and the communities in which they live. It is staffed by parents, people with Asperger’s, and professionals dedicated to serving and assisting others through sharing knowledge and building communities.

The core of their work focuses on planning, producing and distributing highly transformational courses, as well as creating and managing online communities for people with Asperger’s and their parents.

The Autism Speaks AS/HFA Tool Kit was created specifically to assist families in getting the critical information they need in the first 100 days after an Asperger Syndrome or high functioning Autism diagnosis.

This is a continuation of Greater Cleveland Asperger Support (GC-AS which was formerly at Yahoo Groups for trading information, sharing, friendships, and humorous and inspirational memes. Anyone is welcome who has a loved one with Asperger’s or high functioning autism (or suspects it). At this time, this is not a forum to advertise your services, websites or surveys.

A non-profit group focused on helping parents and people with high functioning autism. Volunteers serve people in Summit, Stark, Portage, Wayne, Medina and parts of Cuyahoga counties. Parent support groups and adult support groups are available in Akron. The adult group also organizes social events.

Visit the ASPIES website or search our Event Calendar for upcoming meeting dates.

View Guide here.

A comprehensive website that tackles the array of considerations surrounding autism treatment and a source for research summaries of the full array of autism treatments for families and professionals to make informed choices before considering treatment options.

ASAT promotes science-based treatments and combat unsubstantiated, inaccurate and false information about autism and its treatment.

They offer a quarterly newsletter, a media watch initiative and an externship program.

A grass roots, consumer-controlled organization consisting of centers for independent living, their satellites and branch offices, statewide independent living councils, and other organizations working on issues of importance to people with disabilities living in rural America.

The AMESC offers services for all county school districts for IEPs and in-school services. The counties included are: Athens, Alexander, Eastern, Federal Hocking, Meigs, Nelsonville-York, Southern (Meigs), Southern (Perry), and Trimble.

Their mission is to work in partnership with the community to improve student achievement, build capacity, and raise expectations for all individuals in our service region.

Tutors students in first through 6th grade with high functioning autism (and other disabilities) to help them meet standards or to work on social/adaptive skills.

She has an undergraduate degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in Special Education, as well as current Ohio teaching licenses in both areas. She’s taught special education for 8 years, serving several students with Autism.

A vocational school in Lake County

Portage County

A webpage that is dedicated to patients who have autism. The topics discussed include; the most common problems people with autism have, how to help individuals with ASD adjust to visiting the dentist, and how to help teach independent dental care at home.

A comprehensive list of apps that are being used with and by people diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome and other special needs. The apps are divided into categories, and have consumer reviews.

The Autism Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC provides evaluations, referral coordination and support, and treatment options for young children suspected to have an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Core Skills is an educational platform built by autism experts, teaching academic, social, and communication skills that are interactive and engaging for verbal or nonverbal learners.

This is a yearly subscription program. If you believe this app would be effective for your family (or student) but find it is too costly, there are opportunities available for financial assistance, including your local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Contact our Helpdesk for more information.

This film is designed to increase awareness and to highlight the experiences of Hispanic and Latino families as they go through the process of learning about autism, understanding their child’s autism diagnosis and helping their child to receive the services they need.

Esta película está diseñada para aumentar la conciencia y resaltar las experiencias de las familias hispanas y latinas a medida que pasan por el proceso de aprendizaje sobre autismo, entendiendo el diagnóstico de autismo de su hijo y ayudando a su hijo a recibir los servicios que necesitan.

Online discussion forum that reports news and includes submitted personal experiences on how best to deal with the daily challenges of autism.

The Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) is designed for students who, while exhibiting superior intellectual ability, face challenges in executive functioning and social interactions. They offer academic support, social support and counseling support, as well as vocational support.

Autism Parenting Magazine was established in 2012. Their focus remains on objectively publishing autism-related topics, events, developments, treatments and news stories. The magazine is available both online and in print, and readers can get their first issue free.

This organization helps individuals on the autism spectrum with social groups and provides coaching for employment, independent living and other teen and adult related needs (ages 14+).

A monthly Asperger’s Adult Support group is available for adults with Asperger’s to socialize and discuss pertinent issues in their lives. Meetings are held at the Rocky River library and Beachwood library. The group also organizes occasional social events. They also host a monthly mindfulness event for individuals with autism. Each event will take place at a different location. Reservations are required to attend.

In addition, Autism Personal Coach offers a PARENT support group, dates and topics vary. Reservations are required to attend.

Visit the ASPIES website or search our Event Calendar for upcoming meeting dates.

A downloadable guide offering tips, products and strategies to help families keep children safe. Topics include water safety, elopement (running away), fire safety, firearms safety and poison control.

The Autism Safety Roster is a project in partnership between the community members of Lakewood and the Lakewood Police Department. This online roster promotes communication and enables the police department to have quick and relevant access to important information about a person with Autism.

The goal is to help ensure the safety of an individual with Autism or any other, related, Autism Spectrum Disorder.

To qualify for this scholarship, you must fall into one of the following three classifications:
1) You’re a recent high school graduate.
2) You’re a current undergraduate.
3) You attend an Autism School.

You must also be enrolled in or have been accepted by an accredited school, must be a US citizen, and must be diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder.

Visit the Iconic Displays website for more details on this scholarship application process.

NOTE: All applications must be mailed, and they do not accept questions via phone or email about the application process.

Knapp & Roberts is offering a $2,500 scholarship for college-bound kids who have a sibling with autism. Their firm wants to raise awareness for not only the children with autism, but the supporting family members as well.

Review web page for application requirements.

Participate in a research study about your thoughts and feelings about autism services.

They are looking for people with autism and their families to take an online survey about how you think and feel about different services you may have used. If you would like to participate, please click on the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N2LZ5J5. The survey can be completed in English, French, Italian, or German.

To thank you for taking part in this survey, you will be given the opportunity to enter your email into a drawing for one of five 100$(CAD) Amazon gift cards. Your email address will not be linked to your survey responses and they will not keep your email address after the drawing has been completed – it is only going to be used to select gift card winners.

Chapter of the Autism Society of America.

Offers support and information for families from diagnosis to adulthood through family support, seminars, community training and social opportunities for those affected with ASD. They also hold monthly parent support groups.

Offers a summer camp called S.T.A.R. (Students Together Achieving Respect), that serves all individuals with any type of disability. Camp is staffed with intervention specialists, a movement specialist and college interns. It blends academic, recreational and social skills lessons to promote individual camper growth. The camp is for individuals aged 3 to 22. Offers ESY opportunities as well.

The Autism Society of Ohio is a chapter of the national Autism Society and has it’s 501c3 non-profit status under the umbrella of the national Autism Society.

It is dedicated to improving the lives of all affected by autism in Ohio through information and referral, family support, advocacy, professional development, raising awareness and resource development.

Outline of several grants offered through Autism Speaks.

AutismSpeaks Cares provides support for families affected by autism during natural disasters and other catastrophic life events. The grant program helps families to cover costs associated with critical expenses related to the well-being of the family member with autism on a case-by-case basis. Please note, they DO NOT fund monthly recurring costs such as rent, mortgages, utilities, or car payments.

To learn more and complete an application to determine final eligibility, families must first speak with a representative from the Autism Response Team. Contact them directly by calling 888-288-4762, or en Español 888-772-9050, or emailing familyservices@autismspeaks.org

Sleep is a major issue for many adults and children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This article discusses why this is so, and results of current studies on the issue. Tuck Sleep Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on sleep and sleep-related issues.

The program provides access services for autistic students that can lead to successful academic outcomes while providing educational opportunities that increase self-knowledge in the areas of executive functioning, self-regulation, social interaction, self-advocacy and career preparation.

Program components include regular meetings with a peer mentor, a Career Prep class every academic period with other ASN students, meetings with parents each quarter per the student’s approval, campus awareness training, and events with other members of the program.

The Autism Wandering Awareness Alerts Response and Education (AWAARE) Collaboration is a working group of six national non-profit autism organizations whose mission is to prevent autism-related wandering incidents and deaths.

Support network website that offers information, a blog, social network opportunities and online support for women with autism and their families.

Website that offers a comprehensive guide for transitioning teens to adulthood.

Dozens of free autism social skills lessons, games, card activities, worksheets, wall displays and more. This site is updated regularly.

Advocacy group that organizes an online community of adults and youths with autism.

The aViation study will test an investigational medicine for ‘high-functioning’ autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The investigational study drug blocks a hormone receptor in the brain that is linked to the control of socialization, stress, anxiety and aggression.

Participation lasts for up to 39 weeks. For 24 of those weeks, participants will take daily doses of either the investigational study drug or a placebo (a look-alike) that contains no medicine. Both the investigational study drug and the placebo are small tablets that can be swallowed whole or dissolved in liquid.

Participants and their parent or guardian will visit a study clinic at OSU in Columbus around once every 6 weeks (about 7 times in total). This will allow the study team to assess their general health, social communication skills and social interaction skills.

Please be reassured that participants would not have to pay for any study-related treatments, lab tests or assessments. Also, reimbursement for travel is available.

Lorain County

Lorain County

Summit County

Cuyahoga County

Cuyahoga County

Cuyahoga County

Special Education advocate

Smart phone app that allows you to collect behavioral assessment data.

Cuyahoga County

Offers parents in the Berea City School District supportive advocacy and education resources, while maximizing their children’s potential for success.

They have a Facebook page called Berea PEAK (Promoting Education and Advocacy for our Children).

Visit the Berea PEAK website or search our Event Calendar for upcoming meeting dates.

Geauga County

Set in the inclusive university environment of Concordia University of Wisconsin, Bethesda College is a two-year program designed to meet the higher education needs of students with intellectual, developmental, and other complex disabilities. It gives students with disabilities the ability to experience the full range of college learning and life and provides a “blended” model of instruction centered on the intellectual, vocational, social, personal, and spiritual growth of students. Our goal is simple: to prepare students for independent adult living.

Beyond Words Foundation for Autism provides three opportunities a year for families to receive scholarships for research-based therapies. Students must be a resident of Ohio and under 22 years old. Applications can be submitted online.

Toilet training specialist who wrote the book “Teach Toileting: A Revolutionary Approach for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Special Needs”.

She will do phone and in-home consultations as well.

An online guide for family members to help protect a loved one with autism. This kit offers lots of advice and tools, as well as additional resources.

A kit specifically for First Responders is available here.

Teachers can apply for a specially-designed kit for educators and aides here.

All parents need help staying organized, but parents of children with autism may have even greater needs. With Birdhouse, parents and caregivers can keep track of behavior, medical information, schedules, nutrition, and more. You can track your child’s diet and sleep cycles, too. The app also lets you track changes in their medication and notes from their therapy sessions as well.

A personal learning tool that offers free access to tens of thousands of flashcards and carefully curated lessons across dozens of languages.

Mike is an associate teacher at the Monarch School for Autism and is just about to finish his masters in special education. He is large and very strong and can handle teens and adults with behaviors. He is available for private pay work during non-school hours as an aide and job coach.

Cuyahoga County

The Bridges to Adelphi Program offers individualized comprehensive academic, social, and vocational services that are designed to make that transition easier.

An online interest form is available at bridges.adelphi.edu/inquire

Free membership website that is a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston. It provides information about and access to educational and therapeutic tools for mobile devices. The site provides caregivers and professionals with the best resources for choosing apps to enhance everyday life for people with disabilities.The site was created by parents and therapists who began using the iPad with children who have special needs.

Speech language pathologists and occupational therapists created an app review system for the site that focuses on skills rather than age, diagnosis or developmental level to help improve outcomes for a person with a disability.

Cuyahoga County

Medina County

Medina County

This resource guide provides links to organizations, programs, publications, and resources focused on bullying prevention. It is
divided into seven sections: (1) Organizations and Websites; (2) Data, Definitions, and Research; (3) Programs, Campaigns, and Toolkits; (4) Policies, Laws, and Legislation; (5) Publications and Resources; (6) At-Risk Populations; and (7) Bullying and Co-Occurring Issues.

Each item in this resource guide includes a short description and a link to the resource itself.

Also known as the Bureau for Children with Developmental and Special Needs.

They offer services, evaluations, connection with community resources and financial assistance for families of children with autism needing medical assistance for a secondary diagnosis, such as GI issues or physical disabilities. Note that they are the last payer after insurance and Medicaid.

Toll Free phone number: 1(800)755-4769

Geauga County

Caregiver Homes is a services that provides full-time care for family members who are unable to care for themselves. Their Structured Family Caregiving model is a high-quality alternative to full-time models of care that rely on facilities or in-home workers such as personal care attendants (PCAs). Structured Family Caregiving offers guidance, financial assistance and overall support.

A downloadable guide that can assist caregivers dealing with the stress and anxiety of caring for a child on the spectrum.

A free tool for professionals working with transitional teens and adults with ASD that assesses the behaviors and competencies youth need to achieve their long term goals.

Assists with mediation services to resolve special needs education problems

Offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary care focusing on evidence based treatment, education, research and advocacy for children with the diagnosis of an ASD, from first diagnosis through age 22.

Services include:
Intensive Behavioral Intervention (ABA)
Behavioral Consultation
School Support Services
Asperger’s Counseling Services
Asperger’s Social Skills Groups
Parent Training

In addition there are therapy, diagnosis and counseling services available through other hospital departments.

Accepts all commercial insurance, waivers, Autism Scholarship, private pay, Medicaid and Medicare insurance.

Cuyahoga County

They offer three core residential programs in the REACH, Asperger Syndrome Adult Transition (ASAT) programs, and at Chapel Haven West in Tucson, AZ. We also offer day programming, weekend recreation, social communication therapy, structured day programs and a host of other options, both for our own graduates and for those outside the Chapel Haven community seeking services.

Applicants are:
— 18 years of age and older, with cognitive disabilities/autism spectrum disorders
— High school graduates or still completing high school credits through their IEPs
— Emotionally and behaviorally stable
— Motivated to eventually transition into independent and productive lives

Geauga County

Provides consultation services and technical assistance to child care providers in Cuyahoga County and support for families with children experiencing difficulties in the child care setting.

They support children, adults, and families who face abuse, grief, neglect, trauma, and mental health challenges. Specialties include early childhood, trauma, ADHD, mood/anxiety disorders, co-occurring disorders, sexual behavior problems, and adult services.

Services include: Individual, group, family therapy, and services for younger children. Respite, case management, intensive home-based therapy, assessments for children, 24-hour emergency services for clients, F.I.R.S.T Program for older adolescents and young adults with early onset psychosis.

If a family member is in crisis, you can text the keyword “4HOPE” to 741741 and expect a reply from a trained Crisis Counselor within five minutes. The message is confidential, anonymous and secure.

Several locations available throughout Summit County.

A team of volunteers who offers support and emotional assistance. The team can be requested in a catastrophic event or a death or dying experience affecting an individual, family member or employee involved with the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Cognitive behavioral therapists and solution-focused therapists are on staff. Services are available to children, adolescents, and young adults who are in school up to age 22. They also offer group therapy and community support.

They offer autism assessments, but cannot diagnose.

Accepts Medicaid and CareSource insurance.

This app creates daily schedules and waiting picture boards. It will help children complete daily routines (morning, day, & night), assist in understanding & controling their feelings and improve their waiting skills (taking turns and not interrupting). Appropriate both for use at home and at school, and it offers many ways to customize.

It includes an image library with 180 common images, each accompanied with audio. You can also add and record your own images.

Parent Mentor #1 of 2 people available

Parent Mentor #2 of 2 people available

The KAP Circle of Support provides four major areas of assistance: private room, study tables mentoring and socials. The theoretical framework for KAP is Social Information Processing Theory and Executive Function Skill Development.

Lorain County

The Clinic Center encompasses a variety of services for individuals with autism in their state-of-the-art autism facility. It is dedicated to treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, young adults and families dealing with autism spectrum disorders and is uniquely integrated within the healthcare system and housed in the Debra Ann November Wing at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation Campus.

Outreach and consultation services are available for children as young as 3 for initial diagnosis or second-opinion autism evaluations.

Functional behavioral assessments are offered for families to increase a child’s functioning and independence to the fullest extent possible.

The Outpatient Center in Rocky River includes a variety of therapies available on an outpatient basis.

Offers a diagnositic clinic, functional behavior assessments and outreach/consultation. Speech/language assessments are also available.

The Lerner School for Autism serves students from preschool to age 22.

Social SPIES Programs for children with high-functioning Autism/Asperger’s Disorder offers a social skills program in conjunction with a parent training group.

The Center for Autism – Rocky River is a newly configured 20,000-square-foot center with several individual rooms for behavior, occupational, and speech and language therapy, plus waiting and conference areas. Families have free access to the Don Umerley Civic Center during and after patient therapy sessions.

Parent training is available and considered a key component to successful intervention. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluations and functional behavioral assessment are available as well.

Accepts patients from age 18 months through 7 years for outpatient therapies.

Accepts all insurance, Jon Peterson and Autism scholarships, private pay. No waivers.

Offers neuropsychological assessments and speech and language therapies for children and adults.

Satellite offices located in Lorain, South Euclid, and Broadview Heights. Westlake satellite office to open Fall, 2018.

Accepts Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and private pay.

Cuyahoga County

Cuyahoga County

One of two mentors for Cleveland schools.

One of two mentors for Cleveland schools.

Provides advocacy, mediation and legal assistance for people in Ohio who are working with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities’ Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) or Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) in pursuit of an employment goal.

Medina County

One-on-one tutoring in the student’s home. All subjects available, from pre-K through adult. College test prep programs also available.

Locations available throughout the US and Canada.

Akron Contact:
Tammy Esmaili, (330) 722-7890
PO Box 582
Sharon Center, OH 44274
tesmaili@Clubztutoring.com

A support group for adults ages 18-25 with Asperger’s or high functioning autism. The group is typically held at the Kent Student Center or the group will go out to a restaurant in the area. The group follows the university calendar, so it is closed during school breaks. Contact the phone number to learn about meeting dates.

Support groups are also available for caregivers in Kent and Ravenna, as well as a support group in Medina for families.

Services include family-focused therapies for children birth-10 years on the East side of Cleveland.

She is an autism scholarship provider and a Jon Peterson scholarship provider.

Database website that allows you to search for colleges by state, area of study, level of degree, cost, and several other factors. The site also offers statistics on individual schools for informational purposes.

This site was created by the US Department of Education.

The College Success Program for Students Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder provides targeted support, practical knowledge, and cultural awareness to students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is designed to maximize students’ potential as they live and learn within a caring Christian community.

A comprehensive online guide to college support services for students with LD, AD/HD, and Autism Spectrum disorders. It offers profiles of over 400 colleges and postsecondary programs. This is a subscription-based service – trial subscriptions are available.

Offers a comprehensive list of two-year, four-year and secondary support programs for students with autism spectrum disorders.

An online guide for college-bound students about finances and budgeting, as well as how to apply for grants.

Informational website that offers information specifically for students with special needs. It discusses a student’s rights, how to acquire scholarships, and preparing for college. It also offers advice for families on choosing the right school and the keys to a student’s success.

Lorain County

Provides the following:

– Comprehensive Speech-Language & Educational Services (Preschool through Adulthood)
– Diagnostic Evaluations for all ages
– Individual & Group Therapy
– Socialization & Literacy Book Clubs
– Assistive Technology
– College Success Planning
– Communication Based Behavioral Interventions
– Educational & Agency Consultations & Professional Training

Community Fund Management Foundation is a foundation that develops and makes available several types of trusts, educational programs, and related services that enable individuals who are disabled to use private funds to enhance their quality of life while attempting to safeguard their eligibility for government benefits.

Connecting for Kids is a nonprofit with a mission to provide education and support to families with concerns about their child. They serve families in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties with children younger than 13 years of age.

They have hands-on family training programs, music therapy classes, in addition to several different kinds of family support programs and groups.

Internationally recognized clinician, author, and public speaker in the fields of early child development, early language development and autistic spectrum disorders.

Dr. Coplan’s website has quite a bit of information and advice, and he will also address individual questions submitted through the site.

Summit County

The largest Community Action Agency and Head Start provider in Ohio. Their mission is to invest in Cuyahoga County residents.

Besides a robust Head Start program, CEOGC offers a Personal and Family Development Program and a Job and Career Training Center.

Summit County

Portage County

Special needs law firm with several national offices, including Cleveland. They specialize in trust and estate planning, special education law, guardianships, and other legal needs, especially low-income assistance.

An hour-long video that address the importance of using visual schedules and how to customize and implement visual schedules for individuals with autism.

The Cuyahoga Campership Program, operated by CCBDD, assists individuals with the cost of attending summer camp. Any individual who is eligible for CCBDD services and who is not enrolled in the Family Support Program or one of the DD waivers (Level 1, Individual Options or SELF) is eligible for the campership program based on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum campership amount is $700 per individual for the camp season.

If you are interested in camp and enrolled in the Family Supports Program, contact NEON at 1-800-237-6828 or www.neoncog.org.

Summit County

Learn strategies to address challenging behaviors. In some instances, outbursts can be handled within the family; that is, the parents’ intervention may be enough to keep the child stable and the family secure. But in other cases, the behavior can be so extreme that parents need additional support. They developed this guide to help families get the support they need.

The Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DDBP) has programs for specific developmental needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (The Kelly O’Leary Center). They also partner with sub-specialists in child psychiatry, child neurology, and pediatric gastroenterology to ensure children receive quality care in a coordinated manner, with specialists who have expertise in seeing children with different developmental profiles.

They offer evidence-based care for individuals from birth through transition to adulthood.

Theraputic hand exercises that helps improve fine motor skills and handwriting readiness for children and adults.

A one-stop shop for autism spectrum resources and teaching materials. Over 600 products supporting the social, academic and communicative development of children on the autism spectrum through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behavior interventions.

The Disabilities Inclusion Learning Center is made possible by a partnership between the Union for Reform Judaism and the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Reform professionals, lay leaders, youth, clergy, educators and congregants are invited to use the study sessions and resources on this site to develop additional skills, strategies and understanding to make possible the full participation of people with disabilities in early childhood education, B’nai Mitzvah, youth group, congregational trips, worship and every other area of congregational life.

At meets, race distances, groupings, and competitive rules are adapted to meet an individual disabled athlete’s needs, and according to U.S. Paralympics rules. Ongoing Adaptive Swim Clinics are now taking place in: Wooster Ohio and Twinsburg, Ohio

University Hospitals Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists:
Dr. John Hertzer
Dr. Molly McVoy
Dr. Nora McNamara
Dr. Marcie Hall
Ph: 216-844-3881

University Hospitals Adult Psychiatrist
Dr. Stephen Ruedrich
Ph: 216-844-2400

In addition to seeing patients, doctors in the center perform educational outreach by going out into the community and giving talks about different psychiatric disorders including autism.

For more information about their current autism study, read this brochure.

Drive Team offers driving lessons for teens aged 16-18 with a performance-based Driver Education program licensed by the state of Ohio. Students advance through each level of the 46-hour program at their own pace. They are required to demonstrate proficiency at each level before progressing to the next.

Adult students are evaluated on a case by case basis before enrollment.

They provide driving evaluation services for drivers with acquired disabilities. They evaluate the ability of the physically or visually impaired driver to obtain a driver’s license and safely operate a vehicle, including those affected by stroke, brain injury and other conditions.

Provides organizing and time management techniques for parents, adolescents and young adults. Hands-on organizing and coaching consultations for managing possessions, papers and time.

Cuyahoga County

Offerings include:
Therapy services, including speech/language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and early intervention; child care for children 6 wks to 6 yrs; adult day programs; In-home respite care; and a Skills Development Center specifically for teens with autism to help them transition to adulthood.

Read this document for more information about Easter Seals’ services.

Offers include respite services; speech and language therapy; and in-home respite care. There are also summer camps for children with disabilities in Alliance and Ashtabula.

For children younger than 3, Easter Seals offers speech and language therapy.

Read this document for further information about Easter Seals’ services.

Lorain County

Empowering Epilepsy is a non profit 501c3 public charity organization promoting the empowerment of people with epilepsy and their families. Their mission is to enable people with epilepsy to take charge of their lives. Thus, their goal is to create a caring community based in Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio to help enrich the lives of people who have experienced epilepsy and positively focus on their mind, body and spirit.

They hold monthly support groups in both the Cleveland and Akron areas, conferences and awareness events to bring people with epilepsy together and discover ways to live well with epilepsy. Their main goal is for people with epilepsy to realize that they do not have to go through this alone. There are many others who experience epilepsy and understand the trials and tribulations people with epilepsy have experienced. They want to help you learn what you can do while living with epilepsy and empower your life.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing employment among Americans with disabilities. The organization works with job seekers and employers ranging across all forms of business.

Available to Jewish students ages 6-18 with various special needs. The classes will teach Jewish history, culture, holidays, blessings, Israel and bible stories. Hebrew will be taught by ability, and the program is run by special education professionals along with teen aides.

Cuyahoga County

Lake County

Cuyahoga County

Serves Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky Area.

Helps families by offering free or reduced cost family-friendly events. They also offer an annual expo for resources throughout the area.

The Family Advisory Council provides an opportunity to exchange information about programs, services, and options available to people who have family members with developmental disabilities. The primary goal for the Council is to use the resulting family network to reach as many families in Ohio, and provide them with information and education.

To become a part of the Family Advisory Council and to get the most updated information and announcements, join their newsletter:
Newsletter signup: Family Connections

Offers behavioral health services to children, adolescents, adults and their families. Their services include applied behavioral analysis (ABA), adult behavioral health, children’s behavioral health, autism services and early childhood services.

Additionally, clinicians travel to homes, schools, foster homes, residential programs, child care programs, adult health settings and shelter programs.

The Ohio office also offers BCBA training and development opportunities.

They have 30 additional office locations throughout Pennsylvania.

A discussion listserv (online confidential email distribution group) for families to offer support.

Parents and grandparents are invited to attend an evening educational program about creative ways to help the child with ASD. (Ages 3 to 16). The program is sponsored by the Case Western Reserve University Autism Center. The project involves:
· Participation in a 60 to 90-minute educational session
· Resource materials to take home related to ASD
· Completion of two surveys
· Receive a $20 gift card for completing each survey ($40 total)
· Refreshments will be served.
· Parking is FREE

Dates: Sunday, February 11th @ 3:00 pm Or Tuesday, February 21st @ 6:30 pm
Shaker Heights Public Library, Room G
16500 Van Aken Blvd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120

Registration is requested to the contact listed below.

CCBDD’s Family Supports Program is administered by the North East Ohio Network (NEON). Interested families will need to contact them to access services and resources available through the program. This program can help supply funding for a variety of supports a family may need, such as:

Incontinence supplies, specialized nutrition, special equipment, therapies and classes, training and conferences, camp assistance, respite care, and home modifications.

The Family Supports Program is only available to persons eligible for CCBDD services who are living at home with a family member. Individuals who live in their own apartment, who are enrolled on a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (Level 1, Individual Options, or Self-Empowered Life Funding), who live in an intermediate care facility (ICF) or who live in foster care are not eligible for services from the Family Supports Program. If you have a Support Administrator, please contact him/her. You may be eligible for similar services.

FARE-Cle believes transportation is essential to allow all adults access to a variety of community activities. By providing individuals ages 14 and older (diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability) the opportunity to find a trained and vetted driver, our clients move towards independence, community integration, and self-empowerment.

They will work with you to develop a transportation plan that is best suited for your family’s needs.

This free app provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your children so that it’s all at hand if you need it. You can show the pictures and provide physical identifiers like height and weight to security or police officers on the spot. Using a special tab on the app, you can also quickly and easily e-mail the information to authorities with just a few clicks.

The app includes tips on keeping children safe, as well as specific guidance on what to do in the first 48 crucial hours after a child goes missing. Links to additional resources for families and victims are also provided.

Portage County

This downloadable guide is intended to help students with ASD become better prepared for college life and academics. This guide addresses challenges that are both universal and unique to college students with autism by providing information, guidance, and resources that address them. Finding Your Way offers practical advice from autism experts; powerful narratives from self-advocates; and relevant resource tools. It is intended to help readers anticipate and improve their academic and social situations by advocating for themselves.

An app that teaches counting to children by using their fingers.

Lorain County

Designed for caregivers to offer visual support to individuals with communication needs, developmental delays, autism or for those who benefit from a structured environment.

A reading game app, offering the chance to learning letters and words.

Support groups are based in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

This manual is to help people with disabilities increase community membership and belonging and for promoting relationships
with community members. It is written for agency staff but can be used by anyone such as individuals receiving services, families, and support coordinators, etc.

Many strategies were developed with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, but the strategies are useful for anyone.

This app is designed to provide a fun and engaging way to practice listening, following directions, colors, spatial concepts, auditory memory and auditory processing. It is appropriate for a toddler or preschooler, or any young child who need practice following directions.

Functional Behavioral Assessments help determine why an individual engages in challenging behaviors and how the behavior relates to the environment. The Functional Behavioral Assessment can provide information to identify when the individual is most likely to demonstrate the behavior and when the behavior is least likely to occur. Following the assessment, intervention recommendations will be provided.

Bellfaire does not provide medical diagnoses, only behavioral assessments.

Insurance: for counseling, private insurance (Medical Mutual and Medicaid); for residential, public funding or school placement. Accept private pay.

Offers books, videos, and other teaching material geared to help the needs of teachers, therapists, and family members who face the challenge of autism.

The center provides occupational, speech-language, physical, and behavioral therapies, an early start autism program, educational supports with intervention specialists and teachers, individual counseling, and support from paraprofessionals.

In addition, they offer sensory processing solutions, mealtime management and school tutoring services.
Services available for children from infant through age 18.

Social Skills Group opportunity for Winter 2019 for ages 9 and up. Sundays, January through March. A pre-screening is required prior to participating.
For more information, download this form.

Payment options: Check and credit, Autism and Jon Peterson scholarship, some insurance (except for Aetna, Cigna, Medicaid, or BCMH).
Accepts CareSource insurance plan.

Galvin Therapy Center also has a West Side location:
38530 Chester Road
Avon, OH 44011

Cuyahoga County

Dr. Ruth Milanaik is a developmental pediatrician at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York. She is asking your assistance with an important research study related to gender identity development in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In order to examine the impact of gender identity development in children and adolescents with ASD on social relationships, researchers at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York have devised a short anonymous questionnaire for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Your responses to this questionnaire are instrumental to better understanding how gender identity develops in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and help us to better assist individuals with ASD who may have gender-related concerns and their families.

You will find a link to a short, completely anonymous and confidential questionnaire below. It takes 10-15 minutes to complete this questionnaire, and completion is voluntary.

Link to the Questionnaire

Aimee specializes in special education law.

Software and smartphone app that offers a text reader, in addition to the ability to check grammar, definitions of words, and translations. There is also a “personal trainer” which can help teach proper grammar.

Portions of this software is available by paying a fee, other parts are free.

The Give A Voice program is to provide Apple iPad Minis to individuals with autism who are non-verbal or minimally verbal, and whose communication challenges put them at increased risk of injury or harm.

This program is intended for families who are in dire need of financial assistance and are otherwise unable to attain a communication device.

Personal shopping services, including grocery delivery, dry cleaning drop off and pick up, prescription pick up, returns and exchanges, auto maintenance, and more. Specifically for the Cleveland area.

Offerings include:
Speech and hearing therapy services, offered on a sliding-fee scale; employment skills training; vocational evaluations; transitional work services; and job coaching services.

Additional offices located in Cleveland, Carrollton, New Philadelphia and Wintersville.

Online site that features over 1000 adaptive, therapeutic, educational and sensory solutions for the autism spectrum, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder and other learning and behavioral differences.

Through the Roof Ministry offers a special service called Take A Break, which is a respite event for the families of a child (ages 6+) or adult with disabilities. Take A Break provides 4 hours of free time for families to do whatever they want – whether taking in a movie, going shopping, or going out to dinner – providing these families with a way to rejuvenate and recharge their batteries. Call the contact phone number to be placed on the waiting list.

Meets on one Saturday each month from 5 PM to 9 PM in the Activity Center. See dates below.

This evening event at Grace Church is for children, teens and adults ages 6 and over with disabilities.

Dates for 2018
January 13 May 5 September 8
February 3 June 2 October 6
March 3 July 7 November 3
April 7 August 4

Located in Allendale, Michigan, Grand Valley State University’s Office of Disability Support Resources (DSR) offers the Campus Links program, which matches ASD students with a peer mentor, usually an upperclassman, who will assist them in surviving the transition to college. The program is designed to offer students on the spectrum support in the classroom, in social interactions, and academics.

Our Military Kids supports children, school ages in 5-12th grade, of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members and children of wounded warriors from all service branches. Grants pay for participation in activities that help children cope with stress and anxiety while their parents are recovering or absent.

ACT Today! grants are designed to provide access to individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. Grant payments will be made directly to pre-approved treatment providers, assessors or materials vendors.

Grants are awarded quarterly.

The Different Needz Foundation helps individuals with developmental disabilities obtain the necessary equipment and medical services they need to have the best quality of life. Grant applications are made available in January of each year. Grant awards are announced each year in May.

The Foundation considers future needs and provides payment for medical services or equipment directly to the provider.

Eligible applicants for this grant should be children or adults with special needs living in Northeast Ohio. The grants will be awarded on a quarterly basis. Families may only apply for this grant once within a calendar year.

Small Steps In Speech is a non-profit organization which provides grants on behalf of children with speech and language disorders for therapies, treatments, communicative devices, and other services aimed at improving their communication skills. Deadlines for applications are: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.

The organization was created in memory and in honor of Staff Sgt Marc J. Small who was killed in action in February of 2009 while serving his country in Afghanistan.

UHCCF grants provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan. The Foundation aims to fill the gap between what medical services/items a child needs and what their commercial health benefit plan will pay for.

A free Facebook group where parents can safely arrange play dates for their kids, share information and support and explore resources. The group also hosts occasional meetings, usually in Parma.

Two parent mentors available at the listed phone number:

Rebecca Instinet and Kevin Groen

Summit County

Guardianship takes away a person’s ability to make choices. Because the appointment of a guardian takes away a person’s ability to make decisions about his or her life, other options which place fewer restrictions on the person with a disability can be considered first.

This document identifies these less restrictive options and defines how they work.

A brief but comprehensive, nonlegalistic overview of guardianship in Ohio, especially for families who have a child with mental disabilities. Much of the information is also relevant concerning someone with mental illness or concerning someone who has lost competence as the result of an injury or the effects of aging.

Powered by the Notre Dame Academic Center, this tutoring program for high school or college students is available as a one-on-one tutoring program in a collegiate setting. The HAND program focuses on academic subjects and ACT/SAT tutoring only.

Over 37 professionals are available in a variety of subjects, and this program is appropriate for students with learning differences.

A flat fee of $1,125 gives students 4 hours of tutoring a week for a semester at the Notre Dame campus in South Euclid, OH.

Hattie Larlham is a nonprofit organization that provides medical, residential, recreational and work training services to 1,800 children and adults with developmental disabilities. The organization provides services to children and young adults at the Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities in Mantua, Ohio, and to adults at community-based homes throughout Ohio.

A team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and therapists tend to the complex health requirements of Hattie Larlham residents, whether they live at the Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities or in community-based homes throughout Northeast Ohio.

Other programs include:

The Hattie Larlham Toys and Technology Library is a free community library of toys and communication, mobility and learning devices adapted to meet the physical needs of children and young adults with developmental disabilities.

Foster care program for people with disabilities.

Summer camps through The Play Center at Hattie Larlham.

Offers a medical center and home for children and young adults with developmental disabilities.

Offers residential services for adults with developmental disabilities with 24-hour medical support.

A tool kit for primary care providers, this website offers assistance with diagnosing common health ailments for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It offers health watch tables for several disabilities, including autism, as well as general advice for assisting this population.

Comprehensive toolkits for parents to use when teaching their adolescent children about the changes in their bodies.

Healthybodies Toolkit for Boys

Healthybodies Toolkit for Girls

Heartstring Melodies specializes in providing quality music therapy services to children and young adults in the Northwest Ohio area. They offer individual and group music therapy sessions, using music as the therapeutic medium.

There are summer camps available, in addition to therapy sessions.

During the summer, HEART offers programs for parents as well as help with referrals and resources.

SibShop groups for sibling support are available year-round as requested. Open to residents of Medina and surrounding counties.

Helping Hand is a financial aid tool that can help fund autism services not covered by insurance. It provides grant funding for medical treatment, lab testing, medications and supplements. Funding for this program is limited, and will be awarded only to families who are in dire need of financial assistance. Applicants must be under 21 years old.

Hickman & Lowder can help with Special Education (IEPs and Medication); Special Needs Estate Planning; Medicaid Planning; Guardianships and Conservatorships; and Public and Private Agency Representation.

Medina County

Julie A. Wagner is an attorney experienced in working with adults and children on the spectrum, Ms. Wagner focuses on special needs estate planning and guardianships. She has represented adults on the spectrum in a wide variety of legal matters. She is a professional who “gets it” in a world that sometimes does not seem to get it at all.

This guide was created by MortgageLoan.com to help individuals living with disabilities and their family members in the process of buying a home of their own.

Summit County

Advocacy tool for parents of students with disabilities working collaboratively with a school team to improve their child’s education.

Assistive technology for what to wear in conjunction with the weather outside.

Guide from Autism Speaks written by Goodwin Procter LLP with checklists, a timeline and tips for navigating the IEP process. Includes a very detailed summary of the IEP process, sample letters for parents to send to educators, and how to handle disputes.

Offers personal wearable QR Codes that immediately alert the public that “Here is a person that needs help” & how to help them. They provide a place where the multitude of information about a person with special needs can be kept in one place. This information can be accessed by whoever needs it at the time.

Individuals profiles can be accessed manually from any web browser or via scanned QR Codes. QR Codes can be read quickly by any smartphone. QR reader Apps can be downloaded for free from App stores.

This is a new online resource designed to provide hands-on training guidance and support for camp staff seeking to create or expand inclusion programs.

It is designed for use by camp directors, inclusion specialists, directors of a disabilities camping program, counselors, or activity specialists. It offers basic information on the history of disabilities camping, models of camping for people with disabilities, benefits of camping for both campers with disabilities and the typical camp community, overviews of various disabilities, and many useful tools and program ideas for day-to-day work with campers.

InclusiveU is an initiative of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, committed to individualized and inclusive higher educational opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a comprehensive college experience for students with intellectual disabilities including individualized coursework, person-centered planning, professional internships, and social and extracurricular activities.

The Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education is committed to individualized and inclusive higher educational opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Cuyahoga County

A road map guide for families helping to guide transition-aged child towards their future living plans. A comprehensive guide that includes finding a home, support services and guardianship and advocacy.

This website offers a full description of IDEA and offers updates, and links to more information concerning legal and medical questions.

This guide includes strategies to help youth and their families access the full range of support available to prepare them for successful transition into integrated, competitive employment.

A treatment and training center specializing in assisting individuals with autism and their families. They offer the comprehensive assessment, treatment and education of children with autism spectrum disorder using “The S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Approach”.

Services include direct care, parent/professional training, consulting, mentorship and support.

National site with information and research findings about autism. Members can participate in research studies being conducted around the country.

The goal of IAT is to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment for children and families. IAT, which is designed to provide local access to high-quality care, is made up of professionals from multiple agencies who meet each month to evaluate children and families. The IAT meets families on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Ohio University Hearing, Speech & Language Clinic in Grover Center.

Integrating Professionals for Appalachian Children (IPAC) has existed since 2002 and gained nonprofit charity status in 2006. The network is comprised of multiple agencies in the Southeast Ohio region, including several Ohio University departments and clinics.

IPAC accepts CareSource and Medicaid, as well as private pay.

The mission of the International Center for Autism Research and Education is to coordinate basic, clinical, translational and interdisciplinary research across a consortium of institutions. It supports the development of multi-center research programs at CWRU, Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth and affiliated community resources.

A community-wide, public/private partnership administered by the Cuyahoga County Office of Early Childhood. The Partnership is comprised of individuals, private organizations, including government agencies, community-based service providers, and philanthropic and private organizations, all working together to help increase the development, funding, visibility and impact of early childhood services in Cuyahoga County.

Danny’s Wish iPads for Autism applications will only be accepted September 1st through December 31st of each calendar year. Applications received and approved will be acknowledged by email and submitted to lottery for the next allocation of iPads awarded. iPads will be awarded each April of each calendar year.

This app’s design is based on peer-reviewed scientific research. It’s funded by the U.S. Department of Education. iPrompts is used by special educators and therapists in the treatment of children with autism. It allows users to design visually based daily schedules for their children. The app includes a timer and voice and video prompts.

Spanish and English versions of this popular book available. This guidebook is written to assist high school students and their families when considering college as a future option. The guidebook
contains basic information, tools, and resources to help students make informed decisions about whether or not college is for them.

Spanish download available here.

A photo social story for individuals who need help and support in understanding going to the beach.

Portage County

An experienced attorney in disability and accident cases, as well as personal injury and social security disability issues.

Licensed psychologists working with children, adolescents and adults.

They offer the following services:
15 different social skills groups ages 6-26 (ongoing — join any time)
Alternative Education Program- Perspectives Academy
Advocacy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In home services
Individual, group and family therapy
School Consultation
Testing

Also offers a weekly social club for ages 8-18. Parents can drop off and leave their child for 3 hours. Kids will be divided by age. Reservations preferred by calling the main number listed below.

Note that this resource offers some therapies that are not evidence-based. Milestones only promotes evidence-based therapies, and we encourage anyone who is not familiar with what those therapies are to contact our Helpdesk.

Additional Mentor location: 7200 Center Rd Suite 204, 44060

Insurance is accepted: Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Cleveland Clinic EHP, Humana, Medical Mutual, Sumacare, United Behavioral Health, Oscar. Autism and Jon Peterson scholarship provider.

JFSA is guided by traditional Jewish values of communal responsibility and social justice. They offer several programs to assist teens and adults with disabilities with residential services, employment services, community inclusion, and family advocacy.

The Horvitz YouthAbility program offers volunteering and job training opportunities for disabled and at-risk youth and young adults.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services help people prepare for employment based on their skills and interests.
Adult Day Program offers group and individual day respite activities.

Therapies and guidance for children with a variety of special needs from kindergarten through high school.

Services include: individualized assessment of students’ learning styles, teaching functional learning strategies, development of self-respect and self-advocacy skills, and creating home strategies for parents. School consultation is also available.

Additionally, Kaki’s Learning Solutions offers an in-school dog therapy program, where students work with therapy dogs while developing sensory integration, emotional growth, improved communication and social skills, and improved reading and writing skills.

Provides a state-of-the-art diagnostic program, treatment services and support services, in addition to parent education, group therapy and training programs that enhance the lives of individuals with ASD and their families. Note that some appointments may require a physician referral.

Diagnostic Services — a comprehensive multidisciplinary diagnostic battery that follows the Autism Speaks- Autism Treatment Network diagnostic protocol

Medical Collaborative Care — on-going follow-up care by Developmental/Behavioral Pediatricians, Nurse Practitioners, and Child Psychiatrists

Therapeutic Programming Session — children can undergo a Therapeutic Programming Session with a speech therapist, occupational therapist, and psychologist, all of whom have expertise in autism spectrum disorders.

Therapy Services — staff provides individual and group therapy models in the areas of speech therapy, occupational therapy and behavior therapy

Early Intensive Behavior Intervention — The Center offers intensive programming based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for preschool-aged children with ASD.

Geauga County

Portage County