As we work with other parents and groups we learn about new organizations and their offerings. We know every family has different needs, we hope some of these are helpful to you. We have not worked with each of these organizations so it is the family’s responsibility to research the links/organizations carefully before utilizing their services.

Summer Fun Ideas

A compiled list of summer fun ideas with the kids.

Organizations that are focusing on providing support to parents, children, and adults with ASD
AZ Assist – Teen Group Meetings and a great email list of upcoming local events
www.azassist.com
Arizona Autism Coalition – great statewide information and details on Steven’s Law
www.azautism.org
Raising Special Kids – great general information on special needs and educational assistance
www.raisingspecialkids.org
Melmed Center – provides a variety of therapy and social opportunities.
www.melmedcenter.org
Autism Society of Greater Phoenix – good general autism information, also details on Steven’s Law
www.phxautism.org
SARRC – Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center – lots of good information
www.autismcenter.org
Asperger Parent Network – serves families raising children affected by Asperger Syndrome and related autism spectrum disorders K-12 and beyond into adulthood. Supports and services include: Medical treatment referrals, Education advocacy and Transition services (middle to high school, high school to college, college to the workplace)
www.theautismexchange.com
The Autism Exchange, information about autism from a variety of authoritative sites and experts. It makes it easy for parents and caretakers to find all the information they need in one place!

Respite and Habilitation/Behavioral Therapies:
AZA United
www.azaunited.org
A Caring Heart of Scottsdale
www.acaringheartllc.com
Trumpet Behavioral Health
www.tbh.com

Consultants
Young Mind Center
www.youngmindcenter.org
Basic in AZ
www.basicAZ.com
All Schools Considered- assisting Families on the Move to Arizona
www.AllSchoolsConsidered.com

Information:
Parent Information Network. Arizona Dept of Education Special Ed Parent Information.
www.azed.gov/special-education/deputy-associate-superintendent/parent-information-network/
Diagnosis and Support
www.autismcenter.org
Autism Speaks – 100 day kit helps new parents through the process
www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/100_day_kit.php
Autism News and Views – links to a wide variety of web sites that will provide you with information on Education, Health, Safety, Advocacy, Service Providers and much more.
autismnewsandviews.blogspot.com/
Disabilities: Guide to Autism – Arizona guide from ADA office
Guide to Autism
AZ Developmental Disabilities Planning Council – state agengy designed to assist parents regarding many topics including guardianship, new legislation and more.
AZ Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
Emily Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital – on site children’s health information center open to public
www.theemilycenter.org
Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Childrens Hospital – developmental behavioral pediatrics website
www.phoenixchildrens.com/dbpeds
LIFE – Lauren’s Institute For Education – location for learning and therapy
www.laurensinstitute.org
Help Guide – resource on mental health, physical health, children and aging health. Child section has tab for Autism.
www.helpguide.org
Wise Old Sayings – great resource for communicating with autistic child. Many additional links with good topics.
www.wiseoldsayings.com
Suggestions on coping mechanisms for Anxiety and ASD
Coping Mechanisms
The Well Travel Guide for Parents of Autism Spectrum Children
Travel Guide
Let’s Have Fun: Activities for Children with Autism
Fun Activities

Post High School Education:
ASU, Polytechnic Campus, Disability Resource Center
www.campus.asu.edu/polytechnic 

Inspiration:
Kids with Autism Can – organization that provides hope through website and social events tailored to meet the sensory needs of children with ASD
www.kidswithautismcan.org

Scott James – a young adult with autism sings You Raise Me Up
www.godvine.com
Taylor tells her story about being autistic www.meettaylormorris.com
Autistic photographer shares his world www.msnbc.msn.com

Tutoring:
Experienced at tutoring children on the spectrum. We found them supportive in working with us www.sectutoring.com

Doctors and Dentists
Dr Richard Chaet – providing dental care for children with sensory challenges can be very difficult. He understands the child’s situation and works with family to ensure dental health. www.smilesbyapdo.com
Dr Raun Melmed – providing diagnostic, therapeutic and educational services, developmental pediatrics
www.melmedcenter.com
Dr Daniel Kessler – providing developmental and behavioral pediatrics (private pay)
www.swhd.org

Sports and Exercise
Fitness Propelled – providing structured exercise in small group settings is a niche that Geoff Rubin excels at. He has worked with kids on the spectrum for years creating more confident and healthy adults. www.fitnesspropelled.com
Hubbard Family Swim School – working with differently-abled children to teach swimming www.hubbardswim.com
Scottsdale Martial Arts – individualized instruction for behavioral and learning challenges www.smacus.com
Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for People with Disabilities – state of the art fitness center designed for differently-abled individuals. www.ability360.com
Miracle League Baseball – brings children with special needs the opportunity to experience the simple joy of playing baseball. Miracle League

Nutrition
Nutrition ideas for families with children on the spectrum. Nutrition

Arts
Seeds for Autism – MaryAnn LaRoche and other artisans work with young adults on the spectrum to create amazing art in a studio where structure and responsibility are combined with creativity www.seedsforautism.org
Garrison Mais – 13 year old boy with autism creates beautiful whimsical works of art
www.originalsbygarrison.com

On Going Events
Sensory friendly movies – monthly movie where theater provides atmosphere more condusive for children on ASD spectrum. www.autism-society.org
SARRC training – calendar of events with training events listed. SARRC Training

Other Cool Stuff
Creating stories to encourage each individual child. www.personalchildstories.com
Musical groups with the benefit of a music therapist www.azrhythmconnection.com
A great place to donate your musical instruments www.earcandycharities.org
Providers Search – nationwide search engine for doctor, dentist and therapists where you can enter the service you are looking for
www.providerssearch.com
Autism Products – company that sells sensory toys and therapy equipment. Owner is one our community members. Autism Products

Animal Assisted Therapies
AZ Power Paws – providing service dogs for a variety of different needs www.azpowerpaws.org
AZ Goldens – provide service dogs for children with autism www.AzGoldensLLC.com
Hunkapi Horse – provides therapeutic riding www.hunkapi.org
Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch – a whole life residential ranch setting providing services to adults with severe autism www.rmr.org
MacDonalds Ranch – they are not a therapeutic riding center, but since our event they have offered the opportunity for our families to call and stop by so they can experience the ranch setting and sit on a horse if they would like to www.macdonaldsranch.com

Religious Organizations
Joni and Friends – equips churches with information and support regarding differently abled individualswww.joniandfriends.org
MOPS and Moms Next – (not a special needs program) supportive bible based Mom’s groups www.lacasadecristo.com

Counseling
Gentry Pediatric Behavioral Services – behavioral evaluations and functional behavioral assessments www.gentrypbs.com
Niraja Patel – Psychiatrist working with children and adults www.valleyfamilypsychiatry.com