Autism Help in Florida
Florida Autism Doctors
Here is a list of autism research doctors, mental health specialists and Neurology (Brain/CNS Specialists). Florida Autism Doctors.
Autism Treatments
Several treatments for autism are available. Research has shown that very intense behavior and language therapy may help some children. There is no medicine that treats autism itself, but medicine may help with some of the symptoms of autism, such as aggressive behavior or sleeplessness. Talk to your doctor about what kind of treatment is best for your child. Autism Treatments.
Florida Autism Support Groups
ACE (Autism Committee for ESE)
ACE is a parent-driven group that meets regularly with school administrators to support Autism programming in Broward County schools. By working collaboratively at the school and county level, we pledge to promote reasonable student-teacher ratios and proven teaching techniques so that each child on the autism spectrum may achieve his or her potential. ACE is a subcommittee of the Exceptional Student Education Parent Advisory Council of Broward County that operates under School Board Policy 1.22. Meetings are open to all that are interested in attending and are focused on systemic issues and concerns. The ACE meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00am at The Baudhuin School in Davie. Click here for more information.
SPEC (Support for Parents of Exceptional Children)
SPEC is a support group for families of children on the autism spectrum. The format is simple: we get together to talk about our kids, share information and ask questions of more experienced parents. On a typical night we might talk about schools, issues with extended family, recent accomplishments, difficult behaviors, effective interventions, and upcoming events in the community. We also have an info sheet with a glossary of terms and resources for families of newly diagnosed kids. Everyone is welcome! Our meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month (excluding December and summer months), at 7:00pm at the Dan Marino Center in Weston. Call 954-577-4141 for additional information.
CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities)
Please contact the CARD Center directly at 1-800-9-AUTISM and register to be added to their mailing list. CARD hosts many informative workshops and conferences, addressing a variety of issues and needs. Click here for more information.
The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.
a non-profit organization providing protection and advocacy services in the State of Florida. Their mission is to advance the dignity, equality, self-determination and expressed choices of individuals with disabilities. Click here for more info.
ARC of Broward.
ARC Broward is a private, not-for-profit organization providing supports and assistance primarily to children and adults with mental retardation, autism, Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities. Incorporated in 1956, ARC Broward provides a continuum of supports to over 650 children and adults with disabilities and employs over 400 health-care, educational, and other professionals. For more information, please visit their website at www.arcbroward.com
Autism Society of Florida
P.O. Box 970646 Coconut Creek, FL 33097 Phone: 954-349-2820 Fax: 954-571-2136. For more information, please visit their website at www.autismfl.com
The Transition and Adult Support Group
For additional information, call Eileen Roth at 954-474-5333
Exceptional Student Education
Broward County Schools Exceptional Student Education Website In the state of Florida, Exceptional Student Education, or ESE, is the designation for special education. At this site, you will find out about the services provided to the over 28,000 students with disabilities in the Broward County school system.
Coalition For Independent Living Options, Inc. (CILO)
Their mission is to increase advocacy efforts with public & private entities to promote independence for people with disabilities. Click here for more information.
Denise's List
A source for Autism related information in South Florida! E-mail Denise at deniseslist@yahoo.com to subscribe. This Listserv contains autism information of particular interest to the South Florida area and is distributed daily. This is a very active list generating 10-20 postings per day. Members exchange information on news, therapies, resources, advocacy, on just about anything concerning autism.
The Dan Marino Foundation
The mission of The Dan Marino Foundation is to support integrated treatment programs for children with chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities, so they can lead healthier and happier lives.
Family Care Council (FCC)
This web site is for people in the developmental disabilities community. It provides information for individuals and their families about requirements, procedures, and services affecting their lives. Their goal is to inform and educate; helping families and consumers to be better self advocates. With information accessible on this web site, the Family Care Council (FCC) enhances the partnership between the state, region and district with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP) and the people they serve. Click here for more information.
(FND) Family Network on Disabilities of Florida, Inc.
is a statewide network of families and individuals who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs. Their mission is to ensure through collaboration that Floridians have full access to family-driven support, education, information, resources and advocacy. To visit their website, please go to www.fndfl.org
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology, Inc. (FAAST)
FAAST envisions a seamless supportive partnership between Florida business and government to provide assistive technology products and services which will enable persons with disabilities to participate in independent living, education, work and recreation from birth to death. To visit their website, please go to www.faast.org
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
encourages and advocates opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to enhance their quality of life within their communities. To visit their website, please go to fddc.orgFlorida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
FDLRS is a statewide program that provides services to special education students, their teachers and parents, and the community agencies serving them.
Florida Independent Living Council, Inc. (FILC)
FILC's purpose is to promote independent living opportunities for persons with disabilities throughout the state of Florida. This includes the promotion of a direct service philosophy that is consumer controlled and directed.
Florida's Voice on Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (FVDD)
incorporated in Florida in March 1995, is a statewide all volunteer, non-profit organization comprised of family and friends of persons with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. FVDD advocates for a full continuum of educational, medical, programmatic, recreational, residential, therapeutic, and vocational options based upon individual needs and choices.
Florida Yellow Pages For Kids With Disabilities
A wealth of information designed in an intuitive way that helps individuals quickly find resources related to their specific interests.
Future Planning Information
For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities This Web site was created to give information and guidance to individuals and to families of people who have lifelong or developmental disabilities. The information on this site is divided into seven areas: five life topic areas and two information and resource areas. To visit their website, go to www.miami.edu/futureplanning
GRACA (Grandparents and Relatives of Autistic Children and Adults)
Grandparents and other relatives and friends of individuals with autism who wish to participate in this group can contact Roz Bellman (abell64@juno.com) or Sylvia Cohen (Alsylco@aol.com) at (954) 577-4141
Gluten Free / Casein Free (GF/CF)
Specific Carbohydrate Support Group Contact Susan Wallitch at 954-349-0609
Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options, Inc. (JAFCO)
is a nonprofit agency established in April 1992. Nothing is more tragic than a family torn apart. When a child is removed from his family, he leaves behind what he has known and takes with him his fears, anger, hurt and insecurities. We believe that we can provide one less obstacle in the healing process by providing a child with a familiar cultural and religious environment. We believe every child deserves a safe and loving home. To visit their website, go to http://www.jafco.org/
Living Inclusively for Everyone, Inc.
(LIFE) is a non-profit organization started by a group of parents with more than 30 years of experience advocating for children with developmental disabilities. LIFE was originated in 2003 with the vision of full community participation and integration for individuals with disabilities. Our MISSION is Inclusion, Employment, Education and Enjoyment.
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
ODEP is an agency within the U. S. Department of Labor. ODEP provides national leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities while striving to eliminate barriers to employment.
South Florida Fragile X Resource Group
Fragile X Syndrome is the #1 inherited cause of mental retardation. Symptoms of Fragile X include mental impairment, attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity, anxiety and unstable mood, autistic-like behaviors, and long face, large ears and flat feet. If your child exhibits some of these characteristics, you may want to have your child checked for Fragile X Syndrome. Support group meetings for families affected by Fragile X Syndrome take place a few times a year. For more information, please call Randy Green at (954) 433-5413 or email her at mathmattx123@yahoo.com
Spanish Speaking Support Group
GRUPO DE APOYO para padres y familiares de ni�os con Autismo e incapacidades relacionadas con el autismo. El grupo se reunir� el primer M�rtes de cada mes, empezando el M�rtes 1 de Septiembre a las 7pm en el centro Dan Marino, en Weston. Para informaci�n visite nuestra pagina web, www.asabroward.org
Special Olympics Florida
Special Olympics is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people eight years of age and older with developmental disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
The Autism Autoimmunity Project (TAAP)
TAAP is a non-profit charity dedicated to obtaining funding for independent research into the cause, treatment and prevention of autism and other autoimmune disorders. TAAP supports prominent medical and natural practitioners, who are working diligently to understand the biomedical and immunological causes. They work to provide information on the latest and most successful treatments. TAAP's vision is to financially support independent doctors and researchers, who will not only re-define autism, but will lead to new treatments for our children, with the focus on prevention.