Family, Educators, and Support Groups

Family Support Groups for Autism


There are thousands of support groups around the world. Finding a support group in your location is now made easy with a quick Google search. Simply type “autism support group” followed by your city or location. Autism Empowerment provides a worldwide listing of resources

There is no one institution that manages autism support groups in the various countries. However, some large groups can have several “branches” or “chapters” in different locations across the country.

Kinds of autism support groups

There are many kinds of support groups, and this applies to autism support groups as well. Groups can vary in purpose which is usually determined by the group leader.


1.Peer-led support groups. These groups are led by parents of children with autism. They are often formed for giving and receiving advice, as well as getting emotional support.


2.Education support groups. These are groups that focus on providing the latest information to its members. Some groups meet and encourage members to deliver a presentation about a certain topic regularly.


3.Professionally-led support groups. These groups are usually led and funded by organizations who pursue autism as advocacy. Groups like these are often run by psychologists, social workers, or school personnel.

4.Family support groups for autism

CareClinic makes caring for a child with autism a lot easier as it offers a daily diary where you can input notes about your child’s medication, health issues, and more. Aside from regular monitoring, CareClinic also lets you set goals for your child’s activity, mood, and health. This function conveniently lets you track your progress over time. Your CareClinic data can also be shared with a team of specialists you’re in regular contact with, like speech therapists, psychologists, doctors, and more.

Download CareClinic on iOS or Android


MyLife Meditation:

Mindfulness — Invites You to Take a Break With Breathing Exercises

MyLife Meditation: Mindfulness app taught me practical breathing techniques I use in my daily life. Through calm guided practice, you’ll be asked to practice staying in the current moment to calm heightened emotions. So while your children are enjoying their screen time, you can take 3 minutes to just breathe. That way, you may find yourself more ready to tackle the rest of the day.

Download MyLife Meditation: Mindfulness on iOS or Android

ASDetect

ASDetect guides parents through the assessment questions using specially produced videos. There are videos of both autistic and non-autistic children.

ASDetect is a free app that empowers parents to assess their young children for early signs of autism.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.edu.latrobe.asdetect

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/asdetect/id1058669141?ls=1&mt=8

Qustodio Parental Control App

Lets You Control How Your Children Use Technology

Qustodio gives you full control over what apps your child can use, the time of the day they can be on their devices, and for how long. Though you have to download the app on all of your child’s devices, only you will be able to access the dashboard with your login details. Qustodio also records your child’s activity and sends you regular reports through emails.

Download Qustodio Parental Control App on iOS or Android

Autism Parenting Magazine

Provides Specialist Advice and SupportAutism Parenting Magazine is one of the most popular subscription-based magazine apps that offers educational articles and parent support. I found that Autism Parenting Magazine is much more than a virtual newspaper — it’s a welcoming community to support your journey. It’s a great choice for keeping up with the latest research on autism or seeking professional help, and you can also chat with like-minded people facing the same obstacles. The app is filled with parents sharing their real-life struggles as well as adults on the spectrum keeping you inspired with their stories of hope.

Download Autism Parenting Magazine on iOS or Android

Birdhouse for Autism


One of the most recommended apps for parents who have children with autism, this app offers several ways to track a child's daily struggles and progress Created for caregivers to help them keep track of daily living tasks, health, and behaviors, Birdhouse for Autism is an incredibly invaluable tool. Thousands of parents from all over the world use the app to stay organized and prepared to address the needs of their children with autism. Birdhouse for Autism maintains events and activities on one simple timeline. Parents and caregivers are able to easily organize and track things like:

Behavior notes

Nutrition

Medical, health, and doctor information

Therapies

Schedules

Interventions

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=smartgr.bird.house&hl=en_IN&gl=US

Rama has also started a support group for parents called ‘LIFESMART Families’, a WhatsApp group that keeps buzzing with conversations about the subject. D. Rama came to India to seek help for her son through Bharatanatyam; now, she is helping other parents who face similar challenges

D. Rama, an academician, came to India primarily to help her autistic son find therapy through Bharatanatyam.

Seeking help for her child has helped her reach out to other parents facing similar challenges.

To join the group, write to rama.dasaratha@gmail.com

ASD App

This app is solely for research purposes and not for commercial use. The app contains Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tests to enable parents, care givers, and academic researchers access them. These tests are not diagnostic tools rather they are behavioral tests that just pinpoint to autistic traits. The app can be freely downloaded and distributed but cannot be used for financial gain.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asd.asdquiz&hl=en_US&gl=US

6 Types of Materials and Resources for Autism Parents and Educators

These content helps provide free tutoring to children in academic and financial need.

1) Free Social Stories

Social stories are a research-based method used to help children prepare for real-life events. They can help ease anxiety or set expectations for behavior in a certain situation. Here are four social stories on the following topics: behavior in school, behavior in a restaurant, preparing for a doctor’s appointment, and accepting the word no.

2) Helpful Articles:

How to Use (Visual) Schedules to Improve Children’s Behavior

15 Behavior Strategies for Children with Autism

12 Ways Schools Can Support Children with Autism

A Highly Effective Strategy to Teach Academic Concepts to Students with Autism

3) Sample Visual Schedules Click here for the PDF version, which you can print out for your use. For another visual schedule idea check out Sample After-School Visual Schedule for Kids with Sensory Needs or Impulsive/Hyperactive Behaviors See How to Use (Visual) Schedules to Improve Children’s Behavior for information on the use of Visual Schedules.

4) 3 Recommended IPAD/I Phone Apps:


1.Choiceworks – The Choiceworks app was created to help children complete daily routines (morning, day, & night), understand & control their feelings and improve their waiting skills.

2 . First/Then Visual Schedule App – The First/Then Visual Schedule App can be utilized to demonstrate what will happen first/next (e.g., first take a bath/then put on pajamas) or to relay what a child can earn for complying with an expectation (e.g., first clean up your dishes/then watch tv). This is helpful to release uncertainty for what is coming up and to relay expectations. With the First/Then Visual Schedule App you can also create visual schedules just like you can with the Choiceworks app.

3 . ChoiceBoard-Creator -With the ChoiceBoard-Creator you can offer your child/student choices of what they want for lunch, snack, an activity, etc. The pictures are customizable


5) First/Then Template

Just like the example above of the first/then visual app, you can make your own first/then board. For example, if you want your child to get dressed first and then play a video game for 15 minutes, you can go to Google Images, type in the name of the pictures you are looking for, cut them out, and put them on your template, or take your own pictures of your child doing the activities and print them out. Below is a free template that you can print out for your use, along with sample pictures that I got right from Google Images.


6) Visual Timers

Visual timers are a great way to help a child see how much time is left before they will switch from one thing to another (e.g., in five minutes we will turn off the computer and get ready for bed, you have three minutes left before it is time to leave for school). Some children do better with transitions when they have time to mentally prepare for the change. Using a visual timer can give a child a sense of time if a traditional clock or number timer is difficult for them to understand. Here are some examples of visual timers:

Special Learning House

AUTISM LEARNING RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS.FREE AUTISM RESOURCES FOR TEACHING SELF-HELPS SKILLS TO AUTISTIC LEARNERS

This step by step infographic will help you teach your child to effectively FREE SIGN LANGUAGE TOOLS FOR AUTISM FAMILIES

FREE AUTISM RESOURCES TO HELP YOU SET UP A HOME PROGRAM

Have you been thinking of starting a home program for your child with special needs? Get started by creating the perfect space to help your child learn

https://www.speciallearninghouse.com/free-autism-resources/

https://speciallearninghouse.lpages.co/membership-free-trial/

Indispensable Websites for Parents of Children with Autism

According to the latest statistics, 1 in 88 children are on the autistic spectrum, including 1 in 54 boys. It’s a disorder that’s still not entirely understood, and even within the community of parents of children with autism and educators who work with them, there are still disagreements about what therapies and treatments work best.

For parents, finding ways to help with everything from diagnosis to coping is vital. Here’s a list of 15 great resources that parents of children with autism should be aware of

Autism on the Seas

Parents of special-needs children know how difficult it can be to plan a vacation. This site is dedicated to helping parents of children with autism map out their getaways, whether they’re cruises or camping trips.

https://autismontheseas.com/

Autism Support Groups

It is very important for families dealing with autism to have an outlet, such as other parents who are going through the same thing. This site connects them to groups both online and in their area that can offer that type of support.

https://nationalautismassociation.org/family-support/find-a-support-group/

Think Safety

Think Safety, a project led by the Organization for Autism Research! This website is a place where members of the autism community can interact with other parents, family members, friends, educators, and law enforcement officials to build a sense of community and knowledge-sharing centered on the individuals with autism in their lives.

https://www.thinkautismsafety.org/

Forum For Autism

Forum for Autism (FFA), set up formally in 2002, is a parent support group which caters to the needs of families touched by Autism Spectrum Disorder. The primary aim of setting up FFA was to create awareness about Autism and to empower parents. Over the last two decades, along with the primary goals, FFA has widened its horizons to work towards protecting the rights of the person with Autism and their families, self advocacy and providing financial assistance to un-affording families.

https://www.forumforautism.org/

Autism Speak

The most critical roles family members play in the lives of their loved ones with autism is that of an advocate. Parents, siblings and other caregivers are often the best advocates for children and adults with autism.

Autism Speak want to arm you with the information and tools you need to be the strongest advocate you can be.

Our Advocacy Tool Kit provides basic information about advocacy skills and ways to apply these skills in different situations.

https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-support-family-help

Baby Centre

Autism Support Group For Parents

This group is a support group for parents having Autistic/ ADHD/ASD child .Group members can share their experiences and learn from others with therapies , diet, medical treatments given to their child.

Join this group .See group details

https://www.babycenter.in/g25036424/autism-support-group-for-parents-

SOPAN

SOPAN is an NGO which provides education and therapeutic intervention to children with autism and developmental disabilities. Our mission is to empower persons with autism and developmental disabilites and their families. SOPAN (Society of Parents of Children with Autistic Disorders) is a registered NGO working for autism and related developmental disabilities.

http://sopan.org/

ASHA

Parent TrainingWe believe in empowering the parents to work with their child at home for overall development. We provide monthly workshops, training courses and question and answer sessions.

https://www.ashaforautism.com/programs-page

AutismNOW

AutismNOW should be the first place you look for the latest news, research and information on autism.

https://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fautismnow.org%2F&sa=D

Autism Child Development Centre

Family Counseling

Caring for Caregivers

Autism is a condition which affects every family member of the person on the autism spectrum disorder. Often a diagnosis of Autism is associated with a strong emotional reaction from the parents and family members.

Family Counseling: Family counseling session could prove to be very helpful as it helps the entire family to understand the needs of a special child and cope with the changes in lifestyle. https://www.autismcdc.com/family-counseling

Dads 4 Special Kids

This is a group for fathers of special-needs children, who can share their stories with others who understand the challenges they’re facing.

http://d4sk.org/

Umeed

Online Resources for parents ,Teachers and caretakers, Educators.

https://ummeed.org/resource-library/

OAR

Autism is a life-changing event. It opens a phase of life that raises many often-difficult questions. As time passes, questions continue to rise and often seem to outnumber the answers. The good news is there are answers in the form of proven intervention methods. Through informed action and the use of appropriate treatments and interventions, you can continue to enhance your child’s quality of life today and across their lifetime.

https://researchautism.org/how-we-help/families/

National Autistic Society

There volunteer-led branches and online community offer peer support. You can also use our Autism Services Directory and online advice and guidance to find the answers you are looking for. And our dedicated casework and specialist helpline services can support you with specific challenges. Find out more below.

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance

Marcus Autism Center

Marcus Autism Center is committed to supporting families through every step of their autism journey

understand that caring for a child with autismspectrum

disorder (ASD) may present

challenges for families. They

help you as you navigate this journey.We offer families a variety of support services and resources online, at our center and through community partnerships.


https://www.marcus.org/autis


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