Resources for Autism Spectrum Disorders

What is an Autism Spectrum Disorder? 
- Link: What is Autism? 
- Link: Facts about Autism
- Link: Formerly Known as Aspergers' 
- Link: First Signs Red Flags
- Website: The Autism Helper 
- Website: The Help Guide for Autism 
- Website: The Autism Support Network 
- Website: National Center for Learning Disabilities 
- Link: Family Grant Opportunities at Autism Speaks 
-Link: ADHD and Autism: Could Your Child Have Both?

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Autism Spectrum Groups or Camps for Kids 
Camp Firefly (day camp and sleepaway) through JCFS
- advertised on Autism Speaks 
Group Firefly Weekly Therapy Group, Northbrook, IL 

Specialized or Alternative Educational Placement Options in Illinois & Chicagoland area

Soaring Eagle Academy, Burr Ridge, IL
Challenger Day School, Niles, IL 
New Hope Academy, Niles, IL 
Little Friends, Naperville, IL 

Educational Info Parents & Educators 

Link: Best Practices in Autism Intervention
Link: 10 Things Autism Parents Wish You Knew 
Link: Secret Agent Society - A Social Skills Classroom Software for kids
Link: The Child Behavior Guide - Child Behavior Problems 
Request for Special Education Cover Letter Samples
- Click here: SPED Cover Letter Sample 
- Click here: LD Online Sample Request for Evaluation
- Click here: SPED Request Templates
Link: National Center for Learning Disabilities: Autism Spectrum
Link: NCLD Accommodations for Education 

Resources from ISBE 
Special Education Parent Rights Handbook by Chapter
En Espanol Derechos y Responsabilidades en materia de educacion: analisis de la educacion especial

SPED Letter Templates for School Advocacy
ISBE Sample Forms for Parents & Request for Due Process

Information on Research Studies & Clinical Trials 
- FirstWords Project, FSU 

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Autism Assessments: What to do?  

What to expect? 
Link: Diagnosis & Treatment 
Link: The Importance of Early intervention 
Link: Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist
Link: Getting Help from your local School district 

Screening Tools: 
- Link: Modified Checklist to Screen your child 

Local to Chicago: Places to Go for an Autism Evaluation
Primary Care Psychology Associates, LLC  Diagnostic Testing 
JCFS Autism Assessments 
Pediatric Developmental Clinic (PDC) at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital 
The Autism Treatment Program at Advocate 

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Assistive Technology

Autism Apps from Autism Speaks 

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Occupational Therapy, Sensory Integration, & Related Processing Issues

Sensory Processing Disorder
- Link: About Sensory Processing Disorder 
- Link: Sensory Processing Disorder (Tuesday's Child)
- Link: Tactile Defensiveness 
- Link: Proprioceptive Dysfunction 
Ask me! about The Sensory Processing Disorder Checklist

Central Auditory Processing Disorder
NCLD Website: Auditory Processing Disorders 
Link: Child Behavior Guide - Auditory Processing 

Vestibular Processing Disorder 
Website: Pediatric Vestibular Disorders & Symptoms 
- Link: Child Behavior Guide - Vestibular Dysfunction
- Link: What is vestibular processing? 
- Link: Sensory Processing Made Simple 

Visual Processing Disorders 
NCLD Website: Visual Processing Disorders 
Link: Visual Processing Disorders by Age Group 
 

Local OTR-L Occupational Therapy Providers:
- PDC at Advocate Illinois Masonic
- Kids in Sync (Northfield & Chicago)
- North Shore Pediatric Therapy 
(Glenview, Des Plaines, Chicago, Highland Park)
Link to RUSH Resource List: Occupational Therapy Providers

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