Website: National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center Resources

The resources provided on this website provide information that can be applicable to the transition process of a student with a developmental disability, including autism. Resources included discuss subjects like including careers and technical education; college planning; data relating to transition; employer-related information; federal resources; technical assistance and related service providers; parent organizations; resources for youth; professional organizations; communities of practices relating to transition; postsecondary education; and school to work programs.

View the Website – National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center Resources.

Website: National Inclusion Project

The National Inclusion Project is an organization that partners with communities and inclusive programs in the community to help raise awareness about the possibilities and expanded opportunities brought about through inclusive programming.

View the Website – National Inclusion Project.

Fact Sheet: Questions and Answers About IDEA – Parent Participation

This document describes the rights and opportunities that IDEA laws provide parents and families to participate in and help develop, identify, and evaluate the special education services received by their loved one. This informational sheet also provides further information about developing strong partnerships between schools and families.

Download the Fact Sheet – Questions and Answers About IDEA: Parent Participation (PDF).

Website: All about the IEP

This website provides information about what an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is; what information a typical IEP contains; who is involved in writing and developing an IEP for a child; what occurs during IEP team meetings; and what considerations and decisions need to be made by the IEP team.

View the Website – All About the IEP.

Website: All About the IDEA

This website, put in place by the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, not only provides the text of the IDEA act and related education laws that impact children with disabilities (including No Child Left Behind) but also includes step-by-step guides, fact sheets, links to state resources, and descriptions of effective practices for parents regarding inclusive education. This material is available in both English and Spanish.

View the Website – National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities – IDEA—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Multimedia: National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services

This website lists the contact information and website for each state’s intellectual and developmental disability agency. If a state does not have its own website, the link takes you to the state’s human services departmental site.

View the Multimedia Database – National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services – Member State Agencies.

Website: Military Child Education Coalition

This organization focuses on promoting quality educational opportunities for military-connected children. These children are often move frequently during early years and are affected by family separation. The MCEC performs research, develops resources, implements training, and publishes resources to help children, their families, and educators about education. They also have developed family support training programs for military families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

View the Website and organization – Military Child Education Coalition.

Multimedia: Family Resource Centers List

This annotated list presents national organizations that can connect families to local support networks. The Maternal and Child Health Library lists national organizations involved in maternal and child health activities.

View the Multimedia Database – Family Resource Centers List.

Book: Developing Cross-Cultural Competence

Lynch, E.W. and Hanson, M.J., (1998). Developing cross-cultural competence: A guide for working with children and their families. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing

This book, geared toward professionals, describes how professional staff can work with young children and families to deliver high-quality, cultural competent services. This books helps readers examine their own cultural values and beliefs and how this shapes their professional practices and how provides can more effectively communicate with families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

View information on the Book – Developing Cross-Cultural Competence at the Brookes Publishing website.

Academic Research: Behavioral Treatment and Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Autistic Children

Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), 3-9.

This article describes the result of intensive behavior treatment (applied behavior analysis) for a group of young children with autism spectrum disorders. The group that had behavior treatment appeared to a greater ability to function in school settings than a control group which received no treatment.

Download the Academic Research – Behavioral Treatment and Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Autistic Children (PDF).