Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
- Families First is a free program for caregivers of young children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The primary goal is to equip caregivers with practical tools to support their child and help them meet other parents with similar questions or concerns. Click here for free pre-recorded training videos.
- Click here to learn about Building a Home-School Partnership
Mind Institute
- ADEPT (Autism Distance Education Parent Training) Interactive Learning is an interactive, self-paced, online learning module providing parents with tools and training to more effectively teach their child with autism and other related neurodevelopmental disorders. Click here for online parent training modules.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is an organization dedicated to promoting solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Their goal is to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism and advance research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Follow the links below for helpful information:
- Challenging Behaviors Toolkit
- Sleep Tool Kit
- 100 Day Tool Kit For Families of Newly Diagnosed Young Children
- 100 Day Tool Kit For Families of Newly Diagnosed School Age Children
Mississippi Department of Education
The MS Department of Education has a resource page specifically for Special Education. There you can find information about your district, financial supports, online learning, articles written by parents, and more. Listed below are links to some of these resources.
- A Family Guide to Special Education Services - MDE
- Special Education Dictionary
- Welcome to the Special Needs Parents Club
- Frequently Asked Questions by Parents
Financial Resources
- Some families may qualify for Social Security Disability to help with expenses related to caring for their child with a disability
- Click here for information about ABLE Accounts (Tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities)
- Mississippi offers scholarship assistance to qualifying students who have special needs. Use this portal to determine whether your child is eligible for one of the scholarships, and to complete the application to obtain a scholarship award.
Mississippi Statewide Autism Training Initiative provides evidence-based services and supports to individuals with ASD and their families. The staff is made up of dedicated parents of children with disabilities, individuals with disabilities, and professionals who care about the future of all children in Mississippi. See resources are listed below:
- Child and Family Rights: First Steps to Early Intervention
- How to write a complaint regarding your child’s educational rights
- Guide to Early Intervention Mediation
- • Blank Complaint Form (Part C of IDEA)
Blogs & Other Online Communities
- The Mom Kind
- The Autism Dad
- Autistic and Unapologetic
- Austism Parenting
- Would you like to recommend a blog for this list? Email us at TIPPS@msstate.edu
