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Key Links
• U.S. Dept. of Special Education
• CA Dept. of Education
• DDS - Early Start
• Diagnostic Center, Northern California
• SELPAs
Region 6
• PTAC Members
Links to National Organizations
for Specific Disabilities
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder (includes Asperger Syndrome)
Birth Defects
Communication Disorders
Down Syndrome
Emotional/Behavioral Issues & Mental Health
Learning Disabilities (includes non-verbal, processing disorders)
Other/More on Specific Disabilities
Rare Disorders/Diseases
Visual Impairments
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADDA National Attention Deficit Disorder Association.
A.W.A.A.R.E. Working to prevent wandering incidents and deaths within the autism community.
C.H.A.D.D. Children and adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is the largest national ADD/AD/HD organization.
National Research Center on AD/HD
This site answers many of your questions about AD/HD, and directs you to other reliable sources online. New material is regularly added. The Center is a program of CHADD.
autism spectrum disorder (includes asperger syndrome)
ASA Autism Society of America. ASA also now has a convenient online referral database.
ASPEN of America, Inc
Asperger Syndrome Coalition
Autism Community Team -- a collaborative group providing local information and resources for families and professionals working with individuals with and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Sonoma, Solano, and Napa counties.
Autism, Epilepsy, and Seizures: How to Recognize the Signs and Basic First Aid When You Do
Center for Social Thinking, Inc. & Think Social Publishing, Inc.
Workshops, Training, Consultation, Assessment & Therapy For Persons with Social Thinking Challenges.
FEAT Families for Early Treatment of Autism
HELPGUIDE.org: Helping an Autistic Child. Site includes tips for choosing treatments and finding support.
Insurance Support Groups for ASD -- these groups can help you learn how to get key services covered by your insurance provider. To join, send an email to: ASDInsuranceHelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
(If you have Kaiser as your HM O group, join the group Kaiser Spectrum Kids at: kaiserspectrumkids-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Interactive Autism Network Community
The Maternal and Child Health Library at Georgetown University
www.myaustismteam.com Connect with other parents all over the United States. See providers that other parents use and recommend, ask questions, and share tips.
Securing Health Insurance Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Stanford School of Medicine - The Autism Project
TalkAutism - A communication service shared by many organizations to access a common database of resource directories, distance learning library, and special message boards.
birth defects
Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc.
communication disorders
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
Apraxia Kids The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA)
Center for Social Thinking, Inc. & Think Social Publishing Social Pragmatics
National Coalition on Auditory Processing Disorders
National Association of the Deaf
Selective Mutism Group - Childhood Anxiety Network
down syndrome
Disability Solutions (a.k.a. Creating Solutions)
Down Syndrome Information Alliance in Sacramento - host of the 2008 National Down Syndrome Congress Convention.
National Down Syndrome Congress
National Down Syndrome Society
emotional/behavioral issues & mental health
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
Center for Effective Collaboration & Practice
Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders
Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Foundation for Children with Behavioral Challenges
Juvenile Bi-Polar Research Foundation
NAMI National Alliance for the Mentally Ill | NAMI Blog
National Mental Health Association
National Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
NATSAP National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs
Project Reach is a National Center, funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, to work with students with intensive social, emotional, and behavioral needs. They've taken the most effective interventions from the research and translated them into easy step-by-step directions for implementing them in the home setting.
The Reach Institute - The Resource for Advancing Children's Health
Strength of Us -- An online community for young adults living with a mental health condition and family members and friends who are young adults.
learning disabilities (includes non-verbal, processing disorders)
All Kinds of Minds - Mel Levine
Great Schools (formerly Schwab Learning) - A comprehensive on-line resource for parents of children with learning difficulties.
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is an international, non-profit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia. IDAs' Fact Sheets on Dyslexia and Related Language-Based Learning Differences are particularly helpful.
The Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) is a national, non-profit organization, whose purpose is to advance the education and general welfare of children and adults of normal or potentially normal intelligence who manifest disabilities of a perceptual, conceptual, or coordinative nature
The Learning Disabilities Council offers free downloadable materials for parents.
LD Resources was created by Richard Wanderman, master teacher of students with learning disabilities and creative Macintosh guru.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities
NLD on the web - website on Nonverbal Learning Disorders
NLDline - detailed information about Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
National Association of Cognitive Behavior Therapists
National Center on Response to Intervention
Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association
Project Eye to Eye - Empowering students with learning disabilities through the power of mentorship
Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic
other/more on specific disabilities
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The ARC The Arc is a national voluntary organization committed to the welfare of all children and adults with mental retardation and their families.
Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice
CECP focuses on "improving services for children and youth with emotional and behavioral problems."
Charge Syndrome -- The Charge Syndrome Foundation, Inc. has created an informational packet for professionals and families.
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically under served individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
Creating Solutions was established in 2005 as the entity to publish, Disability Solutions, established in 1995.
Easter Seals provides services to children and adults with disabilities and other special needs, and support to their families.|
Exceptional Parent Magazine is an ongoing resource for families with children with any disability.
Family Village
A host of resources for parents of children with any disability.
IMPACT - a statewide organization that supports families with deaf and hard of hearing children.
Martindale’s Language & Translation Center Sign language databases online.
Sotos Syndrome Support for families and individuals who have Sotos Syndrome.
Supported Life Institute Advocating Inclusive and Dynamic Communities
TASH TASH is an international membership association leading the way to inclusive communities through research, education, and advocacy. TASH members are people with disabilities, family members, fellow citizens, advocates, and professionals working together to create change and build capacity so that all people, no matter their perceived level of disability, are included in all aspects of society.
Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc.
Uniquely Gifted -- a website for intellectually gifted children with special needs such as AD/HD, Learning Disabilities, Asperger Syndrome, etc.)
United Cerebral Palsy Association UCP's Mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
rare disorders/diseases
National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD)
NIH Office of Rare Diseases Research -- includes the Genetic Alliance Against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD).
Helpful websites for connecting with other families coping with diagnoses of rare disorders:
Mums National Parent to Parent Network
Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group
NORD's Parent Support Community
visual impairments
Wonder Baby -- Infants/toddlers with visual impairments
Perkins -- Online resources for visual impairments
Please note: Matrix does not endorse or recommend any provider, treatment, or philosophy that families may encounter from the resources, events, or websites listed. Matrix encourages you to obtain more information about any resource prior to selecting a provider.
