When my youngest daughter was diagnosed at age 3, I found it difficult to find resources that I could use to understand the diagnosis better and to find guidance on how to approach the new life change overall. Although I was initially given some booklets about Autism, I still had many question unanswered. I was looking to find websites and articles about:
- Diagnosis Information
- Day-to-Day Life
- Dietary Advice
- Parents Chats & Communities
- National and International Societies
- Education & Work
- Strategies
- Therapies
- Games & Play work
- How to access Grants
- Charities & NGOs
- Family Support Hotlines
- Links to further help
Then after hours and hours of research I felt that it was a pity that there wasn’t a list or directory at the time that I could access instead. As each child is so unique in its own right and methods and strategies which are available today vary so much, I find that having a wide range of options to be the key of success in terms of finding support for your child and family.
Having a child affected by ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome, can be challenging for your child’s social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour, but also everyone involved, therefore I hope that the following list of websites allow you to find resources that can be helpful for you and reduce the strain of searching around the internet yourself.
Please note: The list of supportive websites is categorized alphabetically by country. I do not endorse or recommend any website, product or treatment in particular. This list is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult with experienced professionals to determine the most effective treatment for your own child as each child and situation are unique.
AUSTRALIA
Amaze online at: http://www.amaze.org.au/discover/about-autism-spectrum-disorder/useful-websites/
Autism Awareness online at: http://www.autismawareness.com.au/index.php
Australian Government Department of Social Services online at: https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/program-services/for-people-with-disability/helping-children-with-autism
Autism Spectrum Australia online at: http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/
CANADA
Autism Canada Foundation online at: http://autismcanada.org/
Autisms Ontario online at: http://www.autismontario.com/
Autism Society Canada (ASC) online at: http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca/
Autism Speaks Canada online at: http://www.autismspeaks.ca/
Canadian National Autism Foundation online at: http://www.cnaf.net/
Society for Treatment of Autism online at: http://www.autism.ca/
UNITED KINGDOM
Autism Action Partnership online at: http://www.autismaction.org/
AutismBeacon.com online at: http://autismbeacon.com/home
Autism Society online at: http://www.autism-society.org/
Autism Speaks online at: https://www.autismspeaks.org/
Disability Grants Ltd online at: http://www.disability-grants.org/grants-for-the-disabled.html
Essex Sussex County Council online at: http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/childrenandfamilies/specialneeds/
NHS online at: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Autism/Pages/Parentsguidetoautism.aspx
Pasda online at: http://pasda.org.uk/
Peach online at: http://www.peach.org.uk/
The National Autistic Society online at: http://www.autism.org.uk/
USA
Autism New Jersey online at: http://autismnj.org/
Autism Support Network online at: http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/resources/autism-grants-united-states
Autism Research Institute online at: http://www.autism.com/
Disability Scoop online at: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/
National Institute of Mental Health online at:http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/a-parents-guide-to-autism-spectrum-disorder/index.shtml
The Arc of the United States online at: http://autismnow.org/
SOUTH AFRICA
Autism SA online at: http://www.autismsa.org.au/
Autism South Africa online at: http://www.aut2know.co.za/
Autism Western Cape online at: http://www.autismwesterncape.org.za/
The Association for Autism online at: http://www.afa.org.za/node/38
HOBBIES & TRAVEL
Exploring Hobbies with your Child online at: http://www.autism-community.com/exploring-hobbies-with-your-child/
10 Hobbies and Activities to Enjoy with Your Autistic Child online at https://www.verywell.com/hobbies-activities-autistic-child-260365
Travel Tips for Children with Autism online at http://www.parents.com/health/autism/resources/travel-tips-children-with-autism/
Travelling with Your Child with Asperger’s online at http://www.yourlittleprofessor.com/traveling-with-your-child-with-aspergers/
SENIORS
Special Needs Seniors – Planning for the Future online https://www.onereversemortgage.com/blog/2017/03/special-needs-seniors-planning-for-the-future-of-this-vulnerable-population/
Elderly with Autism online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3324697/
Adaptive Equipment Buying Guide online at https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/assistive-technology-buying-guide.html
Home Organization for Seniors online at http://www.yourstoragefinder.com/home-organization-for-newly-disabled-seniors
Legal Guide online at https://www.justgreatlawyers.com/legal-guide-for-newly-disabled-and-disabled-seniors
All the Best,
Naomi x
P.S.: The update to the list (Hobbies & Travel and Seniors) came to happen thanks to Susan W. from Getting To Wellness, as she thanked me for the extensive list, but was kind enough to suggest that children stay children even when they get older, hence I have added the list for seniors.
I hope the list is helpful for you and I would appreciate if you share it! Thank you 😉
P.P.S: Did you know that my daughter inspired me to write ‘Judy no need to be scared!’, it is available via Amazon and is based on Judy who is scared of many things; noise, water and insects are some of them. Her mother helps her, to get over her fear by pointing out the nice side of the situations. Children on the Autistic Spectrum with anxieties and phobias benefit greatly from this engaging story! Includes 2 Pages of Info & Activities for children with fears and phobias.
