Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Resources DFW

Care.com:
Care.com is an online services that connects families with special needs child-care sitters and nannies in their area. Care.com’s also let’s families post ads for child-care jobs on its online platform.

PROaupair:
PROaupair connects families of children with disabilities with professional special needs au pairs who provide live-in childcare services. PROaupair recruits individuals with degrees and/or experience in fields including pediatric nursing, occupational and physical therapy, and early childhood education.

Sittercity.com:
Sittycity.com is an online service that connects families with special needs child-care sitters and nannies in their area. Sittercity.com also lets families post ads for child-care jobs on its online platform.

Community Housing for Adults, Inc. (CHAI):
CHAI is a North Dallas community-based program offering services to individuals with disabilities. CHAI currently provides individuals connections to community resources, residential/group home, host home/companion care, and day habilitation services to individuals and their families. Moreover, CHAI’s Wolens Program offers life skills training, supported employment, and participation in social/recreational activities.

Community Council of Greater Dallas:
The Community Council of Greater Dallas provides individuals and families accessibility to healthcare enrollment in Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Children’s Medicaid, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act (ACA). They also offer community youth development programs for children and adolescents.

REACH of Dallas:
REACH of Dallas provides services, trainings, and programs to individuals with disabilities. All four REACH Center locations offer information and referrals, peer counseling and support, independent living skills training, advocacy assistance, transitional services for nursing home to community living assistance, and youth transitional services from highschool to adult life. REACH also provides ADA Consultation Services to private and public companies.

Texas Workforce Solutions via Texas Workforce Commission (TWC):
Texas Workforce Solutions is compromised of TWC and a statewide network of Workforce Development Boards that oversees and provides workforce development services to employers, jobseekers, and community and workforce partners in Texas. Texas Workforce Solutions provides vocational rehabilitation services for adults and youths with disabilities to help prepare for, obtain, retain or advance in employment or post-secondary education.

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) via US Department of Education:
The OSERS supports programs, policies, and legislation that serve the interests of children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities. Moreover, the OSERS offers online resources on education and employment transitions and rehabilitation services.

PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment:
PACER provides information and resources to individuals, parents, and professionals through a variety of services including there online website, technical assistance and training, and in-person and online workshops. PACER’s Learning Center and Resource Library offer a number of free online resources on topics including middle and high school transition planning, post-secondary education, employment, benefit programs and supports, independent and community living, laws and rights, and health and transition.

The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT):
The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) promotes safe, effective, and science-based treatments for individuals with ASD by disseminating evidence-based information, advocating for science-based treatments, and combating false information about ASD and its treatments. ASAT provides a free, quarterly newsletter, resources, and information about ASD and its treatments to individuals with ASD and their families, educators, medical professionals, and media professionals.

Autism Society of America:
The Autism Society of America provides information, resources, and support through their services and programs. The Autism Society provides individuals free access to their online services database (Autism Source), online courses and tutorials on ASD, and safety plans (Safe and Sound Initiative). Moreover, The Autism Society provides one-on-one assistance to individuals through their Contact Center. The Contact Center assists individuals with ASD and their families in making informed decisions by identify resources and supports in their communities.

Autism Speaks:
Autism Speaks promotes the development of solutions for the needs of individuals with ASD and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptable of individuals with ASD; and advancing research into the causes and development of better interventions for ASD and related conditions. Furthermore, Autism Speaks provides individuals, families, and professionals access to free Tool Kits that cover a range of topics from ASD treatments, health concerns, education, transition, employment, family-life, and community living. Autism Speaks also provides individuals a direct connection to resources and tools through their Autism Response Team (ART).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
The CDC offers free and accessible programs and online resources about ASD, science-based treatment options, and evidence-based research. The CDC’s free “Learn The Signs. Act Early.” Program encourages families and providers to learn the signs of healthy development, monitor a child’s development, and to take action if there is a concern.

National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine:
The National Academies Press (NAP) publishes independently-researched information on important matters of science and health policy related to ASD.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD):
The NICHD investigates human development throughout the lifespan and aims to ensure health, independence, and well-being of individuals through optimal rehabilitation. NICHD offers free online resources on ASD to individuals, families, and professionals.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) via NIDCD:

NICHCY is a national information and referral call center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues with a special focus on children and young adults to families, educators, and other professionals.

OASIS @ MAAP:
OASIS @ MAAP connects individuals, families, and medical professionals to local, national, and international resources and services for ASD.

Wrightslaw:
Wrightslaw offers parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys access to information and resources, seminars and trainings, advocacy, and a law library on special education law, education law, and disabilities.

Ability Connection Texas:
Ability Connection Texas (AC) provides a full range of services to families and individuals with a variety of disabilities, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds throughout Texas and New Mexico. AC offers clients numerous Medicaid Waiver services including adult day habilitation, residential services and care, group homes, case management, and in-home support. AC also provides clients with a number of non-Medicaid Waiver services including physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

The Callier Center for Communication Disorders UTD:
The Callier Center provides group and individual therapy, speech and communication therapy, and evaluation services to individuals with ASD and their families. The Callier Center offers services and programs to both adults (Young Adult Social Communication Groups) and children (Preverbal Communication Program, Early CLASS, and Summer Camps) with ASD.

Children’s Medical Center: Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD):
CADD is an interdisciplinary program offering comprehensive care and transitional medicine to individuals with ASD and neurodevelopmental disorders. CADD’s services include diagnostic evaluations for ASD, assessments in pediatric neurology, behavioral intervention, psychiatric care, speech and language evaluation and therapy, and educational assessments and support.

Children’s Medical Center: Our Children’s House:
Our Children’s House is a Dallas area treatment facility of Children’s Health that serves children with a range of conditions including communication disorders, developmental delay, traumatic injury, feeding disorders. Our Children’s House offers specialized inpatient services and pediatric therapy programs including a Day Neuro Program, Feeding Program, Pulmonary Services, and Rehabilitation Services.

Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC):
DCAC coordinates the investigation, prosecution, and medical and psychological services for child and their non-offending family members affected by sexual or physical abuse or exposed to violent crimes. DCAC houses the Child Abuse Unit of the Dallas Police Department, six units of CPS, and the Dallas County Assistant District Attorney and partners with Dallas County Southwestern Institute for Forensic Sciences, Children’s Health, and UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Department of Pediatrics.

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Metrocare Service of Dallas:
ECI is a state and federally funded program in North Texas that provides a home- and community-based program of supports and services for families and children up to three-years-old. ECI offers a number of services including family support and training, linking services, screenings and assessments, and developmental therapies.

Metrocare Services of Dallas:
Metrocare is a state and federally funded program in North Texas that provides a variety of services to children and adults with mental disorders and disabilities. Metrocare offers a number of medical and mental health services including behavioral health care, primary care centers, accessible pharmacies, housing and support social services, and therapy. Metrocare accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.

MOSAIC Family Services, Inc.:
Mosaic Family Services offers comprehensive and culturally sensitive services to individuals and families in North Texas. Their shelter, Mosaic House, offers emergency housing, comprehensive case management, legal services, immigration assistance, medical care, counseling, educational opportunities, and many others to women and children affected by domestic violence, human rights abuse, and human trafficking.

UNC School of Medicine’s TEACCH Autism Program:
TEACCH Autism Program offers a number of trainings and consultations to professionals who work with individuals with ASD. TEACCH also provides a number of clinical and adults services to individuals living in the North Carolina.

Personalized Family Solutions, LLC
Shannon DeVilbiss
Shannon@ShannonD.com

Therapeutic & Educational Consulting
School & Therapeutic Program Placement
Crisis Intervention
Case Management
Transition Support

The Helm ABA:
The Helm ABA provides in-home and center based ABA therapy targeted at improving communication skills, decreasing unwanted behavior, and improving quality of life for children and families affected by autism. Our centers are located in Lewisville, Allen and Dallas.

The Arc of Texas:
The Arc of Texas promotes, protects, and advocates for the rights and independence of all Texans with disabilities. The Arc of Texas’ aims to secure individuals with disabilities access to meaningful employment, SSLC reform, community services, education, and transitional services through policy reform and activism. Depending on community needs, local The Arc Chapters provide parent support groups, self-advocacy programs, recreational and social activities, and residential, vocational, and community-living support services.

Families for Effective Autism Treatment North Texas (FEAT-NT):
FEAT-NT is an organization of parents and professionals that provides education, advocacy, and support to individuals with ASD and their families. FEAT-NT’s Resource Center and Library hosts training opportunities, parent support groups, adult and teen social groups, sibling outreach programs, and an ASD library. FEAT-NT also presents during monthly and annual conferences on ASD in North Texas.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
NAMI is a national organization with a North Texas chapter that provides individuals, families, and local communities with access to resources and information on mental health, support groups, and educational groups and programs. NAMI also advocates the rights of individuals with mental health conditions in education, health care, and employment.

ACEing Autism:
ACEing Autism is a sport- and social-group for children, teens, and adults that meets and practices weekly at the University of Texas at Dallas. Each week participants learn the fundamentals of the game of tennis and practice social skills through playing, instruction, and teamwork.

Miracle League:
Miracle League of Frisco is a sports organization for children and adolescents with disabilities ages 5- to 19-years-old. The league currently offers baseball, soccer, bowling, football, basketball, and track.

My Martial Arts:
My Martial Arts is a Dallas area sports-facility that offers adaptive fitness and martial arts programs for children and adults with disabilities. My Martial Arts aims to help students grow physically and mentally through class increasing self-esteem, self-confidence, and discipline.

Special Olympics of Texas:
The Special Olympics provides a number of year-round physical activity, sports training and competitions, health, and inclusion programs for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities. The Special Olympics’ Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) offers individuals the opportunity to become committee members, council members, coaches, officials, and spokespersons within the organization.

Special Strong:
Special Strong is a Christian faith-based fitness training center open to all with locations in Dallas and Fort Worth. Special Strong offers boot-camp and private physical training options for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities.

Bubbl:
Bubbl is a North Dallas door-to-door transportation and delivery service for children and families that is staffed and operated exclusively by off-duty and retired law enforcement officers. Bubbl also includes options for special location information, sign-in/out procedures, queue lines, and parking.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Paratransit Services:
DART Paratransit Services is a curb-to-curb, shared-ride public transportation service for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use DART fixed route buses or trains. DART’s also offers a free Travel Training Program that teaches individuals the practical skills necessary to access and navigate the DART system independently.

Going My Way:
Going My Way is a Dallas area door-to-door transportation service for children and families. Going My Way is staffed by licensed drivers trained in first aid and CPR. Going My Way also provides riders access to booster and car seats.