April marks Autism Awareness Month and the tri-state area has several resources to help families with children with autism.
Both New York State, New Jersey and Connecticut have a list of resources to help those families and individuals with special needs.
Here we provide you with some resources that can alleviate or help answer any questions related to autism.
NEW YORK
- The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD):
OPWDD is responsible for coordinating services for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, Prader-Willi syndrome, and other neurological disabilities.
The services offered by OPWDD are free and available to people ages 3 and up and are designed to help a person with a disability lead an independent life and reach their full potential.
People who want to receive information in Spanish about the most convenient resources depending on their residence and situation can call OPWDD at 866-946-9733 and press the number 2 for Spanish. You can also email questions to info@opwdd.ny.gov
For more information visit this website.
You can also go to this website.
INCLUDEnyc is the leading provider of training and information for young people with any disability, from birth to age 26, for their families and the professionals who support them in New York City.
The organization told Telemundo 47 that they can cover different types of questions such as:
“INCLUDEnyc’s free, personalized online support, online workshops, and resources speak directly to the needs of Spanish-speaking families. More Spanish-speaking people live in New York City than in any other US city, and nearly 50% of New York City students with disabilities identify as Latino. Many families are unfamiliar with disability issues, educational rights, and child developmental milestones,” said Barbara A. Glassman, executive director of INCLUDEnyc.
“With the expertise of our bilingual staff, INCLUDEnyc responds to the challenges Spanish-speaking families face, such as fear that special education advocacy could jeopardize their immigrant status,” Glassman added.
At INCLUYEnyc there are special programs for adolescents and young adults (14-26), there are no requirements to receive assistance, immigration status does not matter and all services are free. To view the brochure in Spanish visit this site.
Parents, caregivers and professionals can call the Helpline at 212-677-4668 and the intake team will assist them in Spanish.
For more information about the organization and the help it offers can be found on this website.
ANOTHER RESOURCES IN NEW YORK:
NEW JERSEY
- New Jersey Autism Registry:
New Jersey is one of the few states in the country that has a state registry of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Registry was created to better understand autism or ASD in New Jersey and to link families to available services and supports.
Once the child is registered, the person will receive a letter and information explaining that their child has already been registered and about the services that may be available to their family.
A person from your county’s Special Children’s Health Services Case Management Unit would contact the family and inform them of family-centered services available in your community.
County Case Management Units help families of children with special health care needs from birth to 21 years of age.
For information and how to register your children in Spanish click here.
- Resources for children under 3 years old:
HELP FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HIGHER SERVICES (DHSS) AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES (EIS)
DHSS provides early intervention services and assistance to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other special health needs. Families with developmental concerns about their children under age 3 can request help from the Early Intervention System.
What will the Early Intervention Assessment tell me about my child?
During the evaluation, the early intervention team will obtain information about your child to answer specific questions about his or her development. An Early Intervention evaluation will give both parents and the Early Intervention team information about the child’s development and will help them decide if there is a need for continued Early Intervention services. The Early Intervention assessment will examine gross and fine motor skills, communication, speech, language, sensory, social-emotional development, cognition, and adaptive and self-care skills.
Who qualifies for Early Intervention services?
In New Jersey, infants and toddlers are eligible for Early Intervention services if they are under three years old. The child must demonstrate delays of at least: 2.0 standard deviations less than the mean in one area of development or 1.5 standard deviations less than the mean in two or more areas of development or has a medically diagnosed physical or mental condition that may result in developmental delays (Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, etc.).
For questions about or how to access early intervention services, more information can be accessed in Spanish by clicking here or call (888) 653-4463 and press number 2 to receive help in Spanish.
- Resources for students up to 21 years old
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF) and THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM (CSC)
The Child Care System offers a wide range of services for students up to age 21 with behavioral health needs or developmental disabilities. These services include community-based services, in-home services, out-of-home residential services, and family support services.
For questions about or to access behavioral health or developmental disability services for children and youth you can call the toll-free 24-hour Access Line at (877) 652-7624 and press the 2 key for Spanish.
For more information also you can visit this website.
- HELP FOR ADULTS OVER 21 YEARS OLD
DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (DDD)
DDD specifically funds services and supports for people with developmental disabilities who meet the criteria.
If you have questions you can call (in English) 800-832-9173 or visit also this website.
- OTHER AID IN NEW JERSEY
Autism New Jersey: is a nonprofit agency committed to ensuring safe and fulfilling lives for people with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them.
People can call the helpline 800.4.AUTISM for questions about resources for their children.
You can also send an email to information@autismnj.org or visit this page website for more information.
Autism Speaks:
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and across the lifespan, for the needs of people with autism and their families. The group offers information on different topics from financial help until relationship with the community.
To see some of the aid in Spanish visit this website.
You can also call the Autism Response team in Spanish at 1-888-772-9050 or email help@autismspeaks.org with any questions.
There is also an Autism Speaks Voces Latinas Facebook group for more help for Spanish-speaking families with children with autism. visit him here.
CONNECTICUT
According to the Connecticut Department of Health, in 2000, 1,377 or 1.86% of children ages 3 to 21 who received special education services in Connecticut had autism. In 2014-2015, 8,278 or 11.3% of children with disabilities ages 3 to 21 who received special education services had autism. For many people with ASD and their families, daily life is not easy. However, finding resources and planning for the future can help families improve their quality of life, the department said.
The Child Development Information (CDI) Line:
For more information about ASD resources and supports across the state or to speak with a CDI Care Coordinator, call CDI toll-free at 1-800-505-7000 and press 2 for Spanish Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Clinical features:
FOCUS Center for Autism operates an Extended Day Treatment Program in Canton, CT for children and adolescents, men and women, ages 5-18. The program is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. They also offer consultation and assessment services, community education and a range of family supports. Monthly peer groups and social clubs are also available.
The Autism Center at Hospital for Special Care offers a variety of diagnostic, evaluation and consulting services for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. The Center offers a full range of psychological and academic evaluations. From these assessments, we can provide treatment plan development and caregiver training as requested by parents or school systems.
The Connecticut Department of Health offers a comprehensive list of local, state, and national resources that can help. Here the list.
2024-04-09 16:34:33
#Resources #Parents #Children #Autism #Spectrum #Disorder
