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Autism, Aspergers Spectrum Coalition for Education, Networking and Development
AASCEND is focused on the needs of adults on the spectrum. AASCEND hosts monthly general meetings, special events, and community-building special events in San Francisco. The AASCEND Job Club (First Saturdays) is an employment initiative for adults of all ages on the autism spectrum who want to prepare for a job search and employment. www.ascend.org
Early Support Program for Autism
A joint program between Stanford Children’s Health and Children’s Health Council to provide supportive services at no cost to families of individuals with suspected or diagnosed autism.
Services Available in English & Spanish
Clinical Care Coordinator
Sharing resources and information about providers
Helping families navigate the educational and healthcare systems
Parent Education
Individualized education
Help families get started with strategies to interact & play with their child
Achieving Independence — Educational Videos from the Dale Law Firm
The Dale Law Firm is dedicated to applying our legal knowledge and expertise to assist individuals and families with various aspects of estate and special needs planning. We are committed to educating and empowering persons with disabilities, their families and the professionals supporting them, to ensure that they thrive personally and financially, and achieve the best possible quality of life..
Connecting Bay Area Residents with Health & Human Service Programs in their Local Community
211 Bay Area is a free and confidential service available 24/7 that can help you connect with service providers, health and human service programs, and specialists including attorneys. They will even set up free phone consultations for you with someone who can help. Available in multiple languages. Dial 2-1-1 from your phone or visit 211bayarea.org.
Autism Health Insurance Project
Helps families, providers and others secure health insurance and other coverage for autism related interventions such as direct assistance and advocacy for families, provider and employer consulting, and educational presentations and training. The idea for the Mental Health and Autism Insurance Project came about when parents came together and realized that their health plans were providing few, if any, services for our children with ASDs. A non-profit was formed in 2009. Our mission is to assist families with children with autism spectrum disorders (and later other mental health conditions) to obtain medically necessary treatments through their health plans.
Central Valley Regional Center
Central Valley Regional Center’s mission is to help individuals with developmental disabilities, and children at risk, to reach their goals.
We accomplish this by:
Coordinating resources, and collaborating with other agencies to develop the best services for clients and families.
Valuing Diversity.
Respecting individual rights and choices.
Committing to excellence, honesty and cost effectiveness in service delivery.
We respect, support, and cooperate with each other to carry out this mission. CVRC is a private, nonprofit corporation, funded by the State of California to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities
Ability Path, Palo Alto
Provides a variety of programs for kids and adults with disabilities, including aquatic therapy, education and therapy services, socialization and basic skill learning, occupational training, and adult day programs.
AchieveKids Schools
AchieveKids is a non-profit that operates two highly specialized schools to meet the needs of the most complex learners in special education.
Through collaborative multi-disciplinary teams, we help students find learning for success beyond our doors, creating inclusive communities.
Angels on Stage, San Jose
Children and teens with disabilities interact, grow, and have fun through musical theater. Participants sing, dance, act, and work with props and costumes in workshops and performance.
Achilles International - San Francisco Chapter
Achilles International empowers people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream running events in order to promote personal achievement. The SF chapter of Achilles International hosts bi-monthly runs for people of all abilities and fitness levels (usually – first Saturdays at Embarcadero and third Saturdays at Ocean Beach). Athletes are paired with a trained guide, and you can run, jog, or walk as long as you want to. Can’t make it to the SF workouts? Achilles SF has guides throughout the Bay Area (it’s free!). Email [email protected] with questions and to confirm dates (or check our event calendar.
Anova, Marin County
Anova is a non-profit organization serving children with autism and related social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. In addition to three K-12 campuses in Santa Rosa, San Rafael, and Concord, CA, Anova provides innovative educational and behavioral services, early intervention, and paraprofessional support throughout 15 counties across California.
Arizona State University Autism/Asperger's Research Program
Our research group is dedicated to finding the causes of autism, how to prevent autism, and how to best help people with autism. Our research team and collaborators includes many physicians, nutritionists, biochemists, scientists, and other staff. Our focus is primarily on biomedical issues, including nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and bacterial/yeast overgrowths in the gut. However, we strongly recommend that a combination of biomedical, behavioral, therapy, and educational interventions be used to best help children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Visit the autism research page for Professor James B. Adams and his research team at Arizona State University here.
Ascendigo
Offers a fun, rewarding, and challenging day and overnight sports program allowing kids and adults with autism to progress in active sports.
Aspen Network
Comprehensive programs for teens and young adults with Asperger’s/HFA, including residential camp and living support. Located in Orinda.
Autism Center of Northern California
ACNC supports families learning to live with their child’s autism from diagnosis to adulthood. We are a community of professionals experienced in autism diagnosis, treatment, and education. We provide clinical assessments, parent training, behavior consultation and education consultation.
Autism Families Bay Area
Autism Families focuses on organizing recreational, arts and cultural events for autism/dd families in the Bay Area. Frequent (free) activities include local hikes, concerts, and weekly drum circles. Join and/or follow the group on the Autism Families Bay Area Facebook page for information about upcoming activities.
Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (AFIRM)
AFIRM offers free online modules to guide application of evidence-based practices with learners from birth to 22 years old. They teach the key components and approaches, behaviors and skills that are addressed by the practice, a process for applying, and resources to download and customize using case examples, multimedia presentations, and interactive assessments. Each module also offers the option to earn a free professional development certificate, if desired. Click the following links for: a list of their modules, more about their educational technique, and guidelines for selecting a module.
Autism Navigator
Autism Navigator is aimed to early intervention providers, educators, and families. Current research has been utilized in creative an interactive platform using mainly video clips and print materials to share. The courses “About Autism in Toddlers” and ASD Video Glossary are currently free, though other resources and courses require payment. View all courses and pricing here.
Autism Speaks
This national organization provides an Autism Response Team (ART). Its members are specially trained to connect families with information, resources, and opportunities. They are available to answer calls and emails from 9am to 1pm local time. Call ART at (888) 288-4762 or email them at [email protected]. The Autism Speaks website includes toolkits, and a diverse resource list with books, educational manuals, magazines, software, and more. You can also find apps for developing many different skills on their site.
Autistry Studios
Builds independence in teens and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences through pre-vocational workshops, a Model Employment Program, and college support workshops. Visit their website or contact Autistry for more information about their summer and ongoing programs for teens and adults. Topics include education, vocational skills, life skills, and physical fitness.
Please note this is a partial list of resources and does not purport to include all organizations serving people with autism. Inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. Organizations are listed at the discretion of Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area. The information is gathered primarily from public sources and is not guaranteed to be accurate. To suggest additions, please email [email protected].