RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Below is a 60-resource guide for autistic individuals, families, educators, and professionals. It includes reliable information, self-advocacy organizations, intervention and communication supports, educational resources, peer groups, transition services, employment supports, and North Texas options.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects social communication, interaction, sensory and information processing, and patterns of interests, routines, or behavior; autistic people have highly individual strengths, support needs, communication styles, and goals. There is no one-size-fits-all “autism program”—use supports that improve access, autonomy, well-being, communication, and participation.cdc+1

Reliable Information

1. CDC Autism Spectrum Disorder Resources — National information on autism signs, screening, diagnosis, services, research, and family resources.cdc+1
2. CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. — Developmental milestone checklists, videos, and guidance for discussing developmental concerns with a healthcare provider.cdc
3. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Autism Spectrum Disorder — Plain-language information on autism traits, evaluation, diagnosis across the lifespan, and available supports.  nimh.nih
4. Autism Navigator — Research-informed online courses, videos, and tools for families and professionals, with examples of evidence-based strategies in everyday settings.parentcenterhub
5. Autism Navigator: About Autism in Toddlers — Free introductory course using video examples to explain early signs, developmental differences, and early supports.parentcenterhub
6. Autism Navigator: How-To Guide for Families — Family-oriented course with strategies for supporting learning and communication during ordinary routines and play.autismnavigator+1
7. Autism Navigator: 16 by 16™ Lookbook — Resource for supporting early social-communication skills during the first years of life.autismnavigator
8. Autism Navigator: Social Communication Growth Charts — Family tool for observing and supporting social-communication development from approximately 9–24 months.autismnavigator
9. Autism Navigator: ASD Video Glossary — Video examples illustrating diagnostic features and possible intervention approaches.autismnavigator
10. Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM) — Evidence-based practice modules and resources for families and professionals supporting autistic learners.eita-pa
11. National Autism Center — Information on evidence-based autism interventions and the National Standards Project.
12. Autism Research Institute (ARI) — Research, webinars, educational materials, and community resources related to autistic people across the lifespan.
13. Organization for Autism Research (OAR) — Practical guides for families, educators, self-advocates, and professionals, including school, safety, transition, and adult-life resources.
14. Autism Speaks Tool Kits — Topic-specific guides related to diagnosis, school, transition, employment, healthcare, safety, and daily life.  Review resources alongside autistic-led sources and individual preferences.  childrensnational
15. Autism Society of America Resource Directory — National and local connections to support groups, service navigation, and autism resources.childrensnational

Self-Advocacy and Autistic-Led Resources

16. Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) — Autistic-led disability-rights organization providing accessible resources, advocacy, and community connections.autisticadvocacy+1
17. ASAN Affiliate Groups — State and local disability-advocacy groups that can connect people with local autistic-led communities and advocacy opportunities.autisticadvocacy+1
18. ASAN Resource Library — Collection of accessible resources and tools related to autism, self-advocacy, healthcare, education, and rights.edredesign
19. GRASP—Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership — Autistic-led organization providing peer-support groups, resources, and referrals for autistic adults.
20. Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) — Autistic-led community and resources centering autistic women, girls, and nonbinary people.
21. Autistic Girls Network — Community and resources supporting autistic girls and women, including families and professionals.
22. Autism Women’s Network — Peer-centered community, advocacy, and resources for autistic women and gender-diverse individuals.
23. NeuroClastic — Autistic-led digital publication featuring autistic voices, essays, resources, and perspectives.
24. Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism — Autistic- and parent-informed articles, books, and resources grounded in acceptance and practical support.
25. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s “Nothing About Us Without Us” resources — Disability-rights learning materials that foreground autonomy, representation, and informed choice.

Communication and Daily-Life Supports

26. Speech-language pathology services — An SLP can support functional communication, language, self-advocacy, social interaction, literacy, conversation repair, and AAC when appropriate.
27. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) — Communication supports such as picture systems, communication books, sign, speech-generating devices, keyboards, and text-based systems; access to AAC does not prevent speech development.
28. Assistive Technology Act Programs — Every state and territory has a program that can provide information, demonstrations, short-term device loans, and other assistive-technology supports.
29. AAC Institute — Education, resources, and advocacy related to communication access and AAC.
30. PrAACtical AAC — Online educational resource with articles, strategies, and materials related to AAC and communication support.
31. Autism and AAC resource collections — Explore ASHA and AAC-focused organizations for individualized communication supports that honor the person’s existing language, gestures, typing, sign, device use, and preferences.
32. Visual schedules — Use words, pictures, symbols, or a phone-based list to make routines, transitions, and expectations visible.
33. First–then boards — Clear visual or written format that shows what happens now and what happens next, reducing uncertainty without using threats or coercion.
34. Social narratives — Short, respectful explanations of unfamiliar situations, choices, sensory experiences, and self-advocacy options.
35. Sensory toolkit — Personalized collection that may include noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, chewable jewelry, movement breaks, preferred snacks, communication cards, or a comfort item.
36. Regulation plan — Collaborative plan identifying early signs of overload, sensory needs, helpful supports, recovery time, and preferred ways others can offer help.
37. Executive-function supports — Visual task steps, timers, body doubling, predictable routines, reminders, calendars, and smaller next actions can reduce planning and task-initiation demands.
38. Self-advocacy scripts — Prepare short phrases such as “I need written directions,” “Please give me time to process,” “The room is too loud,” or “I communicate better by typing.”

Education and Family Support

39. Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) — Federally funded centers in every state that help families understand special education, evaluations, IEPs, Section 504 plans, accommodations, and advocacy.
40. Center for Parent Information and Resources (Parent Center Hub) — National directory to locate a state PTI or Community Parent Resource Center.
41. Wrightslaw — Special-education law, advocacy, training, and document resources for parents and professionals.
42. Understood.org — Family-friendly information on learning differences, school accommodations, behavior, executive functioning, and collaborative problem-solving.
43. Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) — Professional learning, special-education resources, and advocacy information for educators and families.
44. National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) — Resources and professional information for special-education professionals and families.
45. Family Voices — Family-led network that helps families of children and youth with disabilities or special health-care needs navigate services and systems.
46. Sibling Leadership Network — Resources and peer connection for siblings of people with disabilities, including self-advocacy resources.siblingleadership
47. The Arc — Nationwide network of local chapters that may offer advocacy, service navigation, family support, transition programs, and community participation opportunities.
48. Parent to Parent USA — Family-to-family support and matching with trained parent mentors.

Transition, College, and Employment

49. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) — Every state has VR services that may support eligible individuals with career exploration, job training, education, assistive technology, job placement, and supported employment.
50. Project SEARCH — Employer-based transition-to-work program that provides workplace immersion, internships, and job-development support for young adults with disabilities.
51. College Autism Network — Information and resources related to autistic students in higher education, including campus support programs and transition considerations.
52. College Autism Spectrum — Directory-style information about college programs and supports for autistic students.
53. Think College — Postsecondary education resources for students with intellectual disability and families exploring inclusive college options.
54. College Internship Program (CIP) — Postsecondary support program emphasizing academics, executive functioning, independent living, and career preparation for autistic and neurodivergent students.
55. Neurodiversity in the Workplace — Employer and jobseeker resources related to inclusive hiring, workplace accommodations, strengths-based management, and career development.
56. Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — Free, confidential guidance on workplace accommodations, disability disclosure, employment rights, and practical accommodations under the ADA.
57. Workplace accommodation planning — Useful supports can include written instructions, advance notice of changes, a quieter workspace or remote-work option where feasible, predictable check-ins, sensory supports, and task deadlines broken into smaller milestones.

Peer Groups and Local Support

58. Autism Society local affiliates — Local affiliates may offer family groups, autistic-adult groups, social events, resource navigation, and referrals.  childrensnational
59. ASAN state and local affiliates — Autistic-led groups and disability-rights communities listed by state.  autisticadvocacy
60. GRASP online support groups — Peer support and information/referral resources, particularly for autistic adults.
61. Psychology Today support-group directory — Search by location for professionally facilitated autism, neurodivergent, caregiver, social-communication, or transition groups.
62. Public-library and community groups — Libraries, recreation departments, museums, and community centers may offer sensory-friendly events, hobby groups, game nights, maker spaces, and volunteer activities.
63. Adaptive recreation programs — Inclusive sports, martial arts, arts, theater, dance, and outdoor programs provide opportunities for participation and interest-based relationships.

North Texas Options

64. Autism Society of Texas — Statewide resource connection, advocacy, and support network for autistic Texans and families.
65. Autism Society of Greater Dallas — Dallas-area autism information, family support, community programming, and local referrals.
66. UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders — Evaluation and treatment services, including social communication and young-adult support programming.  calliercenter.utdallas
67. Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services — State VR services that can support employment, training, college transition, and workplace participation for eligible Texans.
68. Transcend STEM Education — Dallas–Fort Worth programs and community opportunities focused on STEM learning and employment pathways for autistic and neurodivergent individuals.
69. DFW Autistic Support Group — Community connection for autistic adults and adolescents in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.arisespecialneeds
70. ARISE Special Needs Community Resource List — DFW-area listing of neurodivergent adult groups, executive-function programming, recreation, independent-living supports, and local services.  arisespecialneeds

Selecting Supports

Start with the autistic person’s goals, communication preferences, sensory needs, interests, culture, and definition of a good life. The most useful supports increase meaningful participation while reducing distress, unsafe situations, barriers to communication, or burnout; they should not require someone to suppress harmless autistic traits solely to appear more typical.mayoclinic+1

If concerns arise about development, communication, mental health, safety, sleep, feeding, regression, school participation, or daily living skills, seek an individualized assessment from appropriate licensed professionals.  Autism assessment relies on developmental history and observation rather than a single medical test, and early, individualized support can improve access to communication, learning, and daily life.