Finding clear, reliable information about autism can feel overwhelming. Below is a curated list of trusted organizations, tools, and educational resources to help families, caregivers, and professionals access meaningful support.
These links cover early intervention, education, advocacy, community connections, and evidence-based approaches.
Web-Based Tools & Learning Platforms
Autism Navigator – A collection of online tools and video-based courses designed to bridge the gap between research and real-world practice. The platform uses footage from federally funded research projects to help families and providers understand early signs of autism and effective interventions.
Autism Research Institute – Focuses on the causes of autism and safe, effective treatments. Offers research updates, webinars, and educational materials for parents and clinicians.
Autism Society – A grassroots organization dedicated to increasing awareness, advocating for services, and supporting individuals across the autism spectrum.
They also partner with AMC Theatres to offer sensory-friendly movie screenings nationwide.
Disability Scoop – A leading source of news about disabilities, including autism. Their email newsletter keeps families informed with easy-to-read updates.
MyAutismTeam – A free social network where parents can connect with other families based on location, diagnosis, and age. Features include parent-to-parent support, shared tips and experiences, a crowd-sourced directory of autism-friendly providers. The platform is the official social network for Autism Speaks.
Organization for Autism Research – Uses science to address real-world social, educational, and treatment needs.
They offer guides, research summaries, and programs that improve quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.
Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children – Sesame Workshop created Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, a nationwide initiative aimed at communities with children ages 2 to 5. Developed with input from parents, people who serve the autism community, and people with autism, See Amazing in All Children offers families ways to overcome common challenges and simplify everyday activities. The project also fosters an affirming narrative around autism for all families and kids.
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy– A great site for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Early intervention is invaluable because it links parents to services in the community, but it can be hard to find services without a long waiting list. Families can search on their own for providers using the Wrightslaw Yellow Pages for Kids With Disabilities.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)– The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) serves as a central resource of information and products to the community of Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and the Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs). The Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) found in every state are a rich source of information and training tailored for parents, including parents whose primary language is not English or themselves have special training needs. In addition, Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRC) throughout the country serve targeted, underserved communities. To find the PTI or CPRC that serves your community, go to the Center on Parent Information and Resources.
The Center on Technology and Disability– The Center is designed to increase the capacity of families and providers to advocate for, acquire, and implement effective assistive and instructional technology (AT/IT) practices, devices, and services. Research-based technologies have great potential to help infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities participate fully in daily routines; have increased access to the general educational curriculum; improve their functional outcomes and educational results; and meet college- and career-ready standards.
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)– The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA), located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, supports the strengthening of state and local service systems to ensure that children with disabilities and their families receive high-quality, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and family-centered support and services.
IRIS Center– The IRIS Center, funded by the Office of Special Education Programs and based at Vanderbilt University and Claremont Graduate University, creates and disseminates resources about evidence-based instructional and intervention practices for preservice preparation and professional development programs. See the Autism Spectrum Disorder self-guided training modules for teachers.
National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders– The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC) has worked to develop free professional resources for teachers, therapists, and technical assistance providers who work with individuals with ASD. Resources include detailed information on how to plan, implement, and monitor specific evidence-based practices.
The U.S. Department of Education– When your child enters public school, he or she has rights under federal and state laws. The U.S. Department of Education has information about federal laws and state laws. The Department’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) supports projects that provide information and technical assistance to families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. Families can also find a wealth of information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at OSEP’s IDEA website. The website contains the full text of IDEA and the regulations, as well as guidance documents and a wide range of other resources.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/about-autism/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bwBJuMGgLPmgKJ6kZ3_CWyh7uKmy1uL9OHItOgCzPMg/edit?usp=sharing
Autism Acceptance Welcome Book:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MbDoZAOTjBXdMYUDF6XEB4LuLJe0Qd9S/view?usp=sharing
https://autismacceptance.com/resources/
https://www.andnextcomesl.com/p/resources.html
EmbraceASD
https://embrace-autism.com/
Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN)
Welcome Packet
https://awnnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/AWNNetworkWelcomeautisticadultspacket.pdf
Parent Packet: https://awnnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/AWNNetworkParentPacket.pdf
NYC for adult women with Autism: https://felicity-house.org/our-mission/
http://www.nyautismcommunity.org/general-autism-resources
ASD positivity!
https://autismpositivity.wordpress.com/
Books: (written by people with ASD)
What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew by Inc. Autism Women’s Network
Connecting With The Autism Spectrum: How To Talk, How To Listen, And Why You Shouldn’t Call It High-Functioning Paperback by Casey “Remrov” Vormer
Videos helpful in Explaining ASD to children:
1.Amazing things happen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezv85LMFx2E
Introduction to autism that aims to raise awareness among young non-autistic audiences, to stimulate understanding and acceptance in future generations.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZYtA26fbFCYIecm-WsEaeQ/videos
2. Listen to children from different backgrounds share their unique experiences of the autistic spectrum in their own words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBkiIHWybV4
https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2019/04/how-to-explain-autism-to-a-child.html
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