If you’re a parent, I also highly recommend you check out the Newly Diagnosed?, favorite blogs list, advocacy sites, and info sheets/created resources pages too!

Information and Parenting

• The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
  • http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/ 

• OlliBEAN
  • https://ollibean.com 
    

• Respectfully Connected
  • https://respectfullyconnected.com

• Parenting Autistic Children with Love & Acceptance
  • https://www.facebook.com/ParentingAutisticChildrenWithLoveAcceptance

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IEP Help

Here’s my Beginner’s Guide to the IEP post! It also includes a sample IEP that I made, along with an overview of the critical parts of an Individualized Education Program. Make sure to scroll to the bottom for a very long list of extra resources as well.

• TN STEP; this website has a lot of great information on navigating the special education setting. While based in Tennessee, the information is helpful for other states as well.
  • http://www.tnstep.org/training/

• A helpful page describing aspects of the IEP and help for famlies.
  • https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/ieps/playing-a-role-in-the-iep-process

• A FAQ list over IEPs
  • http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.index.htm

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Meltdowns and Emotional Regulation

I posted much more in-depth regarding meltdowns on my Managing and Preventing Meltdowns post, as I presented on it in a conference last year. It also has some printables and visuals you can use as well!

Here are some great resources in addition to the post:

• Understanding Autism, Aggression and Self-Injury: Medical Approaches and Best Support Practices
• 5 Point Scale
• ASAN: Color Communication Badges
• ASAN: Autism and Safety Toolkit
• Judy Endow, MSW, LCSW
• https://wearelikeyourchild.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-checklist-for-identifying-sources-of.html?m=1

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Financial and Services Supports

• The Arc (often does family grants, respite, etc)
  • https://www.thearc.org/find-a-chapter

• Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)
  • https://www.tn.gov/education/early-learning/tennessee-early-intervention-system-teis.html
  • Information on TN’s early intervention program
  • Note: I do not personally endorse nor recommend any form of ABA.
• Employment and Community First CHOICES
  • https://www.tn.gov/didd/employment-and-community-first-choices.html
  • State-run Medicaid-based program that helps provide home and community-based services
  • Tennessee is currently working on a Katie Beckett waiver for families who need help but don’t currently meet requirements for CHOICES or TennCare. I will update the list when this gets finalized.