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Autism - lnternet Resouces
BASICS of ASD
 
 
  • Autism Fact Sheet
    A great resource that includes a basic definition, common signs, diagnosis and causes, role of genetics, change over time, treatment, and links.

  • What is Autism?
    From Autism Society of America (ASA).
    An excellent overview of autism and related disorders, including information on the prevalence of autism
    links to discussions on common characteristics, causes, diagnosing, working with professionals,
    a free online course on autism.
General 

   
 
  • Autism-INFO
    Created in 1998 by Jenny and Brad Middlebrook
    this site offers news, links, and information on autism for parents, teachers, therapists and doctors
    One of its stated goals is to provide balanced information for families of recently diagnosed children
    Sections of this site include: quick facts, medical issues, diet, books, news, applied behavior analysis (ABA) resources, action plans for newly diagnosed children, and conferences

  • Autism Page of Patient Centered Guides
    A list of printed material, online resources, and organizations
    taken from Appendix A of Mitzi Waltz's excellent book, Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Finding a Diagnosis and Getting Help (O'Reilly & Associates, 2002)
    This resource is valuable, albeit a bit old
    The main page of those resources,www.patientcenters.com/autism/ is also valuable and includes experts from the book.

  • Autism Resources
    Excellent general information resource on autism.
    Of note are the links to other sites, book listings, and "Advice to parents who discover their child is autistic"
    This includes messages from parents on what they would have liked to know when their child was diagnosed with autism

  • Autism: The Hidden Epidemic?
    Links to articles and videos from the series of special reports from NBC News and MSNBC in February 2005
    Included are numerous stories and personal accounts of the hope, dreams, success, and realities of living with ASD
    (Another good source for media reports is National Public Radio at www.npr.org.)
N A R R A T I V E S     K E Y   F I G U R E S
   
 
  • Autism Real Stories and Tips
    From the University of Kansas Beach Center on Disability
    includes narratives collected by staff or through WEBSITE users
    stories are brief and help provide the many different faces of autism and related disorders
    also includes links to other ASD resources on the Beach Center site and elsewhere

  • Temple Grandin's Website
    In the ASD community, Temple Grandin is a rock star
    She is one of the most well-known adults with autism in the world
    Diagnosed with autism is as young girl, Grandin went on to get her Ph.D. and became one of the leading figures in the study of livestock behavior and the design of humane cattle slaughter facilities

  • Tony Attwood's WEBSITE
    Tony Attwood is one of the leading figures working with ASD and has presented on the subject all over the world
    Includes many resources on Asperger's Syndrome high functioning autism, including paper: has delivered experts of current article workshop notes, links to Web resources and other information

GOVERNMENT     S I T E S
   
 
  • Center for Disease Control Prevention
    The CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental diseases is a very good resource on autism
    These pages have a number of resources that are useful, including a page describing autism, updated list of ASD projects at CDC, list of governmental projects at other federal and state agencies, resources, a great kids' page (geared to children about ASD
    Excellent introductory section entitled "About Autism"

  • Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
    This committee coordinates autism research and other efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services
    The National Institute of Mental Health at the National Institutes of Health has been designated the lead for this activity
    Includes links to numerous reports of the activities of the committee and other government agencies

  • National Institute of Mental Health
    As excellent basic source of information on ASD
    Gives a nice overview of the condition, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and local services
    Provides a link to the online document "Autism Spectrum Disorders)" (2004)

S C I E N T I F I C     M E D I C A L   I S S U E S

 
  • Autism Network Resources for Physicians
    Aimed at physicians, this site is valuable for parents and others looking for medical research on autism and ASD.
    This site includes links for autism research, medical treatment options, articles, reports, hearings, conferences, message boards and others.
    The "Autism Research and Related Links" section of the site has extensive resources for finding research being done in a number of areas on ASD, university-based programs, and who's who of autism research.

  • Cure Autism Now
    CAN is an organization of parents, clinicians, and researchers working to promote understanding about autism and to fund research.
    The site includes a large number of links to other WEBSITEs and resources that are valuable for people studying autism.
    The "Science News" section will be of interest to people wishing to view the latest scientific research.

  • National Alliance for Autism Research
    Founded in 1994, NAAR raises funds to support and accelerate biomedical research focusing on ASD.
    NAAR also publishes the "NAARRATIVE" newsletter, with updates on funding and research undertaken with their support.
    Current and back issues can be viewed don the WEBSITE.
M M R     V A C C I N E S   C O N T R O V E R S Y

   
 
  • Autism Research Institute
    ARI has been a leader in exploring the association between the MMR (Measles, Mumps, German Measles [Rubella]) vaccine and other drugs are the possible cause of autism.
    ARI is led by Bernard Rimland, one of the founders of the Autism Society of America and one of the most respected voices in the field.
    This site includes links to their case that the vaccine has a part in the spread of autism along with other strong information on autism.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - (Vaccines and Autism Theory)
    CDC has been an active proponent for the safety of the MMRI vaccine and has conducted studies to examine the hypothesis that vaccines have a part in the cause of autism in children.
    While many organizations see this group as supporting the establishment view that there is no connection between the MMR vaccine and autism, they have produced a useful WEBSITE for people examining this potential connection.
    This page includes many links to research papers, statistics, and other sources that examine the connection between the two.
ORGANIZATIONS    

   
 
  • Autism Society of America
    ASA is one of the leading organizations in the United States for promoting awareness and developing support for the autism community.
    ASA was founded in 1965 by a small group of parents working on a volunteer basis out of their homes and now has more than 20,000 members with nearly 200 chapters.
    See the section titled "Living with Autism," with sections on siblings, stress, and other demands on the family.

  • Autism Society Ontario - Canada
    ASO (Canada) has 29 chapters and provides information and advocacy for people with ASD throughout the Providence of Ontario.
    The WEBSITE is valuable for looking at services offered and available in Ontario.
    Of particular interest are the resources pages that offer sections on behavior, communication, diet, education, health, medication, Ontario services and agencies, publications, and research as well as a full listing of "1001" sites in alphabetical order.

  • Center for the Study of Autism
    CSA is advocate for biomedical interventions for children with autism.
    CSA works closely with the Autism Research Institute (Bernard Rimland) in San Diego, California.
    The site has many links to informational pages on definitions and different treatments.

  • Ontario Adult Autism Research and Support Network
    A WEBSITE specifically designed to address the needs of adults with ASD, the OAARSN is a unique resource.
    The site has five basic sections: autism information, organization/services, communications, autism-related WEBSITEs, and unique resource documents.
    Of primary note are the unique resource documents.
    Of primary note are the unique resource of documents that provide full-text resources, including regional organization newsletters, review of services, and excellent personal narratives of older children and adults with ASD in Ontario.
    These accounts are primarily in a section entitled "From the Front LinesLiving With Autism" and provide an exceptional complementary online resource to personal narratives available in print.
* Source:     C & R L News, October 2005, pp. 646 - 649

Updated October 23, 2008

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