Autism Resource Guide Offered to Assist Families

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From the University of Arkansas Project Connect.

The newly released Autism Resource Guide from the University of Arkansas Project Connect assists parents and guardians of a child with autism, as well as the professionals who work with them, in navigating the autism service system.

“Research supports early and intensive intervention using evidence-based strategies for people with autism spectrum disorders,” wrote Peggy J. Schaefer Whitby in the introduction to the guide. “However, many times parents and guardians are overwhelmed with navigating the autism service system.”

The Autism Resource Guide is a starting point for families and professionals. It includes three charts to assist families in navigating the service delivery system in Arkansas by defining and clearly presenting the sequence of services needed to support a child with autism in a range of ages. The guide offers contact information for a wide variety of service providers, all of which use evidence-based practices, including diagnostic and screening services, early intervention services, therapy, and school and support groups.

Of special help to parents who are not autism professionals, the guide offers an extensive glossary of terms and explanation of acronyms and abbreviations. It also includes an explanation of established, emerging and un-established treatments in a list developed by the National Autism Center to help parents chose the most effective treatments for their child.

Schaefer Whitby is associate professor of special education and program coordinator for the graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders at the University of Arkansas. Hollie Lawless is program coordinator for Project Connect, and Laura A. Reynolds is the parent liaison for the project.

For more information or for assistance in accessing autism services, families can contact Project Connect at projconn@uark.edu.