Resources for Autistic Individuals and Their Caregivers
Listed below are resources that are designed to assist both developmentally disabled individuals and those who care for them. These resources are divided into seven sections:
- Links to the websites of autism-related organizations.
- Autism-Related Facebook Groups.
- A selection of “The Best Autism Apps” (published in Autism Parenting Magazine in 2023).
- Guides for coping with COVID and resources for remote learning.
- Printable DIY sensory activities for all ages.
- A description of the Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices available at the Brick, Little Egg Harbor, and Stafford Branches of the Library.
Adult Autism Diagnosis
Autism Speaks → Offers a tool kit that contains information about how to get a diagnosis, therapies that are available, state and federal services, tips for self-advocacy, and more
Autism Research
Organization for Autism Research (OAR) → Funds Studies on Subjects Such as Education, Communication, Parent and Teacher Training, Social Skills, Employment, etc.
Caregiver and Individual with DD Support and Assistance
Autism New Jersey → Information About Autism, Education and Training, Caregiver Support and Referral to Specialists
- Hotline: 1-800-428-8476
Canine Companions → Service Dogs
The Color of Autism Foundation → Provides Support to African American Families with Autism
Mom2Mom Helpline → Peer support to caregivers
- Hotline: 1-877-914-6662
New Jersey Autism Warriors → Facebook group that provides peer support to caregivers
Ocean County Family Support Organization → Peer support, family training
Employment Training and Assistance
Allaire Community Farm → Provides PreEmployment Training, Therapy Farm Animals
Community Options → Employment Training for High School Students, Employment, Housing
New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services → Employment Assistance
Water & Sims → Provides Supported Employment Services
Government Resources
The Americans with Disabilities Act → The ADA Law, first enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination based on disability
New Jersey ABLE → ABLE accounts allow disabled individuals and their caregivers to save private funds to supplement benefits provided through Social Security and Medicaid
New Jersey Department of Health → The New Jersey Autism Registry enables families to be referred to organizations that will assist them
New Jersey DHS - Division of Disability Services → Housing Resources
New Jersey DHS - Division of Disability Services → Information on College Resources and Financial Aid
New Jersey DHS - Division of Disability Services → Resources for Financial Assistance
New Jersey DHS - Division of Disability Services → Transportation Services
New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families → Works with disabled individuals and their caregivers to obtain services
New Jersey Family Care → Health Insurance for Those Who Don’t Have Employer Insurance
Hobbies and Interests
The Art of Autism → Provides a forum for displaying and promoting the works of autistic artists, film producers, singers, and writers
Information and Referral
Autism New Jersey → Information and Referral, Public Policy
- Hotline: 1-800-428-8476
New Jersey DOE – Office of the Special Education Ombudsman → Provides Information and Support to Students, Caregivers, and Educators Regarding Special Education Rights and Services
New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families → Works with disabled individuals and their caregivers to obtain services
Ocean County DHS – Children’s Inter-Agency Coordinating Council → Consisting of Parents, Service Providers, and Others, CIACC Oversees Behavioral Health Services in Ocean County
Ocean County DHS – Office for Individuals with Disabilities → Information and Referral
Ocean County Health Department → Information and Referral
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network → Information and Referral, Caregiver Support and Resource Center
Toms River Mayor’s Advisory Council on the Americans with Disabilities Act → Advocacy and Assistance
Toms River Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Developmental Disabilities → Advocacy and Assistance
Legal Services
Community Health Law Project → Legal and Advocacy Services
Freeman Law Offices → Special Education Law, Estate Planning, Adult Services
Hinkle Prior & Fischer → Special Education Law, Estate Planning
Mack Rosenberg Law, LLC → Assists Families in Obtaining Health Insurance Coverage for Disability Services
The Matus Law Group → Estate Planning, Guardianship, Special Needs Trusts
Sussan Greenwald, & Wesler → Special Education Law, Estate Planning
Medical Specialists
Children’s Specialized Hospital → Developmental Pediatricians, Neurologists, Psychiatrists
Children’s Wellness & Developmental Center → Developmental Evaluations, Holistic Evaluations, Nutritional Counseling, Individual and Family Counseling
Community Medical Center → Autism-Friendly ER
Developmental Pediatrics of Central NJ → Developmental Pediatrics
KidZdent → Special Needs Dentistry
The Milestones Center → Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
New Jersey Family Care → Health Insurance for Those Who Don’t Have Employer Insurance
NeurAbilities Healthcare → Diagnostic Services, Neurological Testing, Developmental Pediatricians, ABA Therapy
Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates → Special Needs Dentistry
Multiservice Organizations
Bancroft → Services for All Ages: Diagnostic Assessments, ABA Therapy, Assistive Technology, Severe Behavior Day Treatment Program, Residential Treatment
Beacon Specialized Living New Jersey, Inc. → Services for Adults: Housing, Support Coordination, Supported Employment
Community Access Unlimited → Services for All Ages: ABA Therapy, In-Home Respite, Support Coordination, Day Programs, Housing, Employment Services
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health → Summer Camp for Ages 6+, Behavioral Health Services, Residential Services, Day Programs, Supported Employment
Disability Allies → Services for Young Adults and Adults: employment training, afterschool program, respite, day hab, and more
Easterseals NJ → Summer Camp for Ages 6+, Behavioral Health Services, Residential Services, Day Programs, Supported Employment
Eden Autism → Services for All Ages: School for Ages 3 – 21, Home-Based ABA and Speech Therapy, Adult Employment Training and Housing
Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled → Services for Adults: Residential Services, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy
Ladacin Network → Services for All Ages: Early Intervention, Child Care, School, Therapy, Day Programs, Vocational Therapy, Housing
MOCEANS Center for Independent Living → Independent Living, Support Coordination, Youth Transition, Education & Advocacy
New Jersey Institute for Disabilities → Services for All Ages: Early Intervention, School, Day Programs, Employment Services, Residential Services, In-Home Supports, Life Skills Development
PCDI → Services for All Ages: Early Intervention, School for Ages 3 – 21, Adult Life Skills Program, Housing
SERV Behavioral Health System, Inc. → Services for All Ages: In-Home Services, Vocational Training, Residential Services
21 Plus, Inc. → Services for Adults: Residential Services, Vocational Services, Supported Employment
New Jersey State and Ocean County Services
- If you live in Ocean County and you have concerns about the development of your child who is under the age of 3, contact the Ocean County Special Child Health Services and Early Intervention Program here or by calling 732-806-3930.
- If you live in New Jersey, but outside of Ocean County, and have concerns about the development of your child who is under the age of 3, contact the state’s Early Intervention Services here or by calling 1-888-653-4463.
- For behavior therapy and respite for children under the age of 21, contact PerformCare (the New Jersey Children’s System of Care) here or by calling 1-877-652-7624.
- To inquire about home and community-based services for individuals 21 and older, contact the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) here or by calling 1-800-832-9173.
- To download the NJ Office on Autism’s publication Autism: A Family Guide to Navigating the NJ Service Systems for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities, click here.
Ability Advocates of New Jersey → Transition from Children’s System of Care to Adult Services, Support Coordination for Adults Through the Division of Developmental Disabilities
Assisting Hands Home Care → Services for Adults Through the DDD; Community-Based Support, In-Home Care, Respite
A Bright Tomorrow → Support Coordination for Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
A Care Connection of New Jersey → Support Coordination for Adults through the Division of Developmental Disabilities
Equal Opportunity Support Services → Support Coordination for Adults Through the Division of Developmental Disabilities
Ocean Partnership for Children → Care Management and Service Planning for Children with Behavioral and Emotional Challenges (accessible through PerformCare)
Owen Health Care → Children’s Behavior Therapy through PerformCare, Support Coordination for Adults through the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Respite, Summer Camp, Supported Employment
PrimeTime Center → Adult Day Programs (Life Skills, Recreation, Social Skills, Vocational Skills, and More) (admission through DDD)
Prism Support Services → Support Coordination for Adults Through the Division of Developmental Disabilities
SPWA Services → Support Coordination for Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
Public Policy
Autism New Jersey → Public Policy
New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities → Public Policy
Safety Agency
Ocean County Sheriff’s Office → Safety
Schools and Educational Resources (refer to “Multiservice Organizations” for additional schools)
The Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey → An Organization Consisting of Private Special Education Schools in North and Central New Jersey. Provides a School Directory, and Offers Advocacy Support and Resources
The Alpha School → School for Ages 5 to 21
ASAH → A Nonprofit Organization Consisting of Private Special Education Schools in New Jersey. Offers a Toll-Free Parent Assistance Line, A Private School Placement Toolkit, and a School Directory
The Center School → School for Ages 5 to 21
Children’s Center of Monmouth County → School for Ages 3 to 21
Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center → School for Ages 3 to 21; Adult Program for Ages 21+ That Focuses on Employment Training
The Gateway School → School for Ages 5 to 21
The Harbor School → School for Ages 5 to 21
Hawkswood School → School for Ages 3 to 21
New Jersey DOE - Office of the Special Education Ombudsman → Provides Information and Support to Students, Caregivers, and Educators Regarding Special Education Rights and Services
New Jersey DOE – Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities (In-State) → List of Private Special Education Schools That Have Been Approved by the State of New Jersey
New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education Special Education Ombudsman → Provides Information and Support Regarding Special Education Rights and Services
Ocean County College → Education (Disability Services) and Summer Camp
The Shore Center for Students with Autism → School for Ages 3 to 21
Social/Recreation
By Design Social Skills → Social skills groups for children and teens; counseling for all age groups
Camp Jaycee → Summer Camp for Adults
Camp Fatima → Free Summer Camp for Children; Free Sleepaway Weekends for Adults
Daniel’s Music Foundation → Music Classes (Including Free Online and In-Person Group Classes) for disabled individuals
Easterseals NJ → Summer Camp for Individuals Ages 6+
Encouraging Kids Family Resource Center → After School, Evening, and Weekend Programs for Disabled Students
The Friendship Circle of Central Jersey → Social and Respite Programs
HorseSense Therapeutic Center → Equine Therapy
Mosaic Music Therapy → Music Therapy
Music for Autism → Free Concerts for Disabled Individuals and Their Caregivers (in-person AND virtual)
Ocean County YMCA → Adaptive Swimming and Exercise
POAC Autism Services → Recreational and Support Services, Family Training
Rising Treetops at Oakhurst → Summer Camp, Respite, After School Program
Special People United to Ride (SPUR) → Equine Therapy
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym → (Indoor Play
Therapy (ABA, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, DIR/Floortime, Occupational, Physical, Speech)
Autism Spectrum Diagnostics and Consulting → Evaluation and Diagnosis, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Social Skills Groups
Bierman Autism Center → Diagnostic Assessments, ABA, Speech, OT
Brain Builders → ABA, OT, Speech, Social Skills Groups
Brett DiNovi & Associates → ABA Therapy
Caring Family Community Services ABA Therapy
Children’s Specialized Hospital → Speech, OT, PT, Feeding Therapy
Connect Plus Therapy → ABA Therapy, Social Skills Groups, After School Programs, Parent Training
Elevate Health & Therapeutic Services → ABA, Speech, OT, PT, Feeding Therapy, and More
The Family Resource Network (includes the affiliate Autism Family Services of New Jersey) → ABA Therapy
Graham Behavior Services → ABA Therapy
Helping Hands Family → ABA Therapy
Hybridge Learning Group → ABA, Speech, OT
Kaleidoscope ABA Therapy Solutions → ABA Therapy
Links ABA Therapy Solutions → ABA Therapy
Mastermind Behavior Services → ABA Therapy
Positive Development → DIR/Floortime
Professional Therapy Associates → ABA Therapy, Speech, OT, PT, Social Skills
Proud Moments ABA → ABA Therapy
The Puzzle Place Center for Autism → Intensive Early Intervention, Speech, OT for Young Children
Rainbow ABA → ABA Therapy
Seashore Pediatric Therapy Center → Speech, OT, PT
Sensory Playground → ABA, OT, PT, Speech
Social Behavior Learning Solutions → Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, School Readiness, Social Skills Groups for Young Children
Speech Pathology Solutions, LLC → Speech Therapy
Step Up Family Services → ABA Therapy
Sunny Days Sunshine Center → ABA, OT, PT, Speech, Social Skiills
Unlocked Potential → ABA Therapy
Weisman Children’s → OT, PT, Speech, Feeding Therapy
- Autism Parents Support Group (for caregivers)
- Autism Society Southwest New Jersey Affiliate 532 (for caregivers)
- Autism Support Group for Teens, Young Adults, and Parents (for autistic teenagers and their caregivers)
- Autism Teens and Adults of NJ (for autistic teenagers and adults)
- Autistic Adults Jersey (for autistic adults)
- Autistic NJ Neurotribe (for autistic adults)
- New Jersey Autism Warriors (for caregivers)
- New Jersey Autism Moms (for mothers, grandmothers, and female legal guardians of autistic children)
- NJ Special Needs Connection (for caregivers – provides resources)
- Parent to Parent NJ (for caregivers)
- Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Other Support Needs (for caregivers of adults)
- Parents of Sensory Kids (for caregivers)
- A REAL Autism Support Group for Teens, Adults, and Parents (for autistic teens, adults, and caregivers)
- Sib20 (for siblings of disabled individuals; geared toward ages 18 – 30)
- SibNet (for adult siblings of disabled individuals)
- SibTeen (for teen siblings of disabled individuals)
- SIBS NJ (for adult siblings of disabled individuals)
The apps listed below are free to download, although they may offer in-app purchases.
Attention
I’m On It: Focus Timer for ADHD & ASD (Android Only)
→ Helps individuals stay focused on tasks by allowing the user to set a timer for specific activities.
Caregiver Support
Autism Parenting Magazine (Apple and Android)
→ Helps caregivers get the latest solutions, news, and research every month.
MyAutismTeam (Apple and Android)
→ Caregivers can meet other people in similar circumstances, make friends, and get practical tips.
Education
Aiko & Egor: Animation 4 Autism (Apple and Android)
→ Uses simplified animations and interactive characters to teach. Best watched with caregivers.
Autism Read & Write Pro (Android Only)
→ Helps autistic individuals learn the basics of reading and writing.
Cuedin (Early Intervention) (Android Only)
→ Works on academics, social skills, and daily routines. Contains visual cues, tactile tracing, and audio information.
MouseTrial Lite (Android Only)
→ Aids in the child’s concentration, recognition, and cooperation skills.
Otsimo (Apple and Android)
→ Teaches letters, numbers, colors, animals, and more.
Functional Life Skills
Daniel Tiger for Parents (Apple and Android)
→ Develops areas such as sharing, trying new foods, and coping with emotions.
Sensory and Calming
Infant Zoo: Games for Babies (Apple Only)
→ Provides visual input through high quality illustrations, animal sounds, and stimulating bubbles.
Magic Fluids Lite (Apple and Android)
→ Promotes calming and relaxation by allowing users to create a dynamic wallpaper.
Speech and Communication
Avaz AAC (Apple and Android)
→ Provides assistance for those who struggle to interact with others. It can create a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) book.
- Autism NJ
- Provides guidance on preparing autistic individuals for the vaccine and other topics. Autism NJ also has a hotline: 1-800-428-8476.
- Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School
- An article containing tips for helping autistic individuals cope with taking a COVID test and adjust to wearing masks.
- The Arc of New Jersey
- Contains COVID resources for disabled individuals and their caregivers – including an article about taking a COVID test.
- Autism Speaks
- Has a wide variety of resources geared toward families and toward autistic adults. There is an Autism Response Team (ART) available to answer questions by phone, email, and live chat (1-888- 288-4762). Also contains tips for discussing COVID-19 with your child, a social story about wearing masks, guidance if your child needs to be hospitalized, behavioral resources, coping with stress, and parental training and support resources.
- Echo Autism
- Contains information about how to do ABA, OT, and speech therapy at home, how to teach at home, social stories, and parenting tips.
- Education.com
- Contains free printable worksheets on a wide variety of topics for children in preschool through fifth grade. Also has online games, songs, activities, and stories. Must create a free account to use.
iPads preloaded with apps: LAMP Words for Life, Tobii Sono Flex, & My First AAC are available for in-house use at the Brick, Little Egg Harbor, & Stafford branches.
Patrons with library cards in good standing will be able to trial the apps before making the purchase for their home devices or to trial for students or patients.
AAC devices are augmentative/alternative communication systems that allow a person to communicate with those around them without speaking. There are many different types of AAC but the most common are high-tech AAC Devices that allow a person to push a button to speak a message. These are helpful for children or adults who have either lost the ability to speak or who are not able to speak well enough to clearly communicate everything that they want to say. This includes some children with conditions such as autism, childhood apraxia of speech, and other types of speech/language delays. These devices are sometimes called “communication devices” or “talkers.”
These devices are supported in full with funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the New Jersey State Library, award number LS-252474-OLS-22.
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