Parent Resources

Websites and Local Resources Master List

The Autism Society of North Carolina	http://www.autismsociety-nc.org Local office 239 S French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Family Support Network Web based	http://www.fsnnc.org/ FSN of Western NC 11 Vanderbilt Park Drive Asheville, NC 28803 Phone: (828) 213-0033 Tollfree: (888) 810-2800 ext. 2 Fax: (828) 213-0039 Roxann.colwell@msj.org
Let’s Talk	http://www.letstalksls.com/
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities	www.nichey.org
Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center	http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/Mission.aspx?sid=11&pid=2&red=yes
TEACCH Autism Program	31 College Place, Building D, Suite 306 Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: 828-251-6319 Fax:828-251-6358
The ARC of North Carolina	http://arcnc.org/ (828) 253-1255 50 S French Broad Ave, #257, Asheville, NC 28801
FIRST of WNC	http://www.firstwnc.org PO Box 802, Asheville, NC 28802 828-277-1315
Children and Adults with AD/HD	http://www.chadd.org/
Understanding Special Education	http://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/contact.html
EBLEN Charities	50 Westgate Parkway Asheville, NC 28806 Phone: (828) 255-3066 Fax: (828) 255-3775
North Carolina Public Schools	http://www.ncpublicschools.org/
Autism Speaks	http://www.autismspeaks.org/
My Child without limits	http://www.mychildwithoutlimits.org/?page=home
Eliada	www.eliada.org
Disability.gov	https://www.disability.gov/
LD ONLINE	http://www.ldonline.org/
Kids Can Dream	http://kidscandream.webs.com/main.htm
Education World	http://www.educationworld.com/special_ed/
North Carolina Assistive Technology Program	Local office Bonnie Lane, Sylva NC Contact-Mary Kay Dulin 828-631-9461 http://www.ncatp.org/index.htm

List of Parent and Student Resources

Autism Society of North Carolina

Local office

239 S French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
http://www.autismsociety-nc.org

(828) 236-1547

The Autism Society is a national organization with many State and local office across the U.S. They provide many services for parents and individuals who are affected by Autism. The Autism Society is the only Autism specific advocacy organization in North Carolina. They can help with finding resources, school issues; provide training and workshops and much more. One of the most important services is that they provide direct care to individuals with Autism. The service provides care for individuals with Autism in a variety of settings and activities like residential, vocational and community based services. The website which is listed above provides additional support like information on local support groups, research studies, strategies and services.

Family Support Network

http://www.fsnnc.org/

FSN of Western NC

11 Vanderbilt Park Drive

Asheville, NC 28803

Phone: (828) 213-0033

Tollfree: (888) 810-2800 ext. 2

Fax: (828) 213-0039

Roxann.colwell@msj.org

Family Support Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and informing families of children with various disabilities and special needs. Some of the many services they provide are one-to-one matching of parents with trained support parents, support groups, social gatherings, educational courses and workshops. The website is like a one-stop shop for information about national, state, and local resources.

Let’s Talk Home service

1611 Jones Franklin Road

Suite 109

Raleigh, NC 27606 Phone: (919)852-0702 Fax: (919)852-0742

http://www.letstalksls.com/

At Let’s Talk all of their therapists are certified Speech/Language Pathologists (SLP), Occupational Therapists (OTR/L) and Behavior Analysts (BCBA) with a passion for one or more specific disorders. They are based in Raleigh, North Carolina but they are expanding across the state. They provide many different types of service including Autism Diagnostics, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Intervention and Psychology Services. They have a great website with lots of information, rates and resources. Their therapy focus is on a play model which can lead to more interacts and build communication skills. Each person is a specialist in their given area.

www.Nichcy.org National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

nichcy@fhi360.com or phone 800.695.0285

For years this has been one of my favorite websites and a one stop website for basically any type of information you might need nationally or by state. The NICHEY website has listing by state for really any service you might be looking and includes all areas of disabilities. NICHCY offers easy-to-read information on IDEA, the law authorizing early intervention services and special education. The website is loaded with articles, research, one on one help and is developed for all including a section that is done in Spanish only. If you need an idea where to start this website should be a starting point. They have a section label Topics A to Z that will address many of the questions that a parent or a educator might have.

http://ecac-parentcenter.org/

Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center

Parent Info Line: 1-800-962-6817

The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center is a non-profit organization that is operated by parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. They provide many services like workshops, information on healthcare laws, online classes and so much more. Two of the many services they provide are the lending library and IEP Parents. The lending library is available to parents and educator and they have hundreds of items that can be borrowed. The IEP Partner program is a great assistance program. If you need help with an IEP or just someone to go with the ECAC will send a trained person to the meeting with you to help insure you child gets what they deserve. Another great piece of information is that you can change the language of the website to over a hundred different languages that will assist nearly every parent no matter what language they speak.

TEACCH Autism Program

31 College Place, Building D, Suite 306

Asheville, NC 28801

Phone: 828-251-6319 Fax: 828-251-6358

CENTER CONTACTS

Assistant Clinical Director:

Ann McGuire anne_mcguire@med.unc.edu

Office Manager:

Margaret Catalano margaret_catalano@med.unc.edu

The TEACCH Asheville Center serves individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the western region of North Carolina. Services include diagnostic evaluations, treatment planning and implementation, education, consultation, supported employment assistance, training opportunities and research. The TEACCH Autism Program provides services that are community-based and can include employment assistance and training. The TEACCH program provides training around the world and parents move to areas that have a center because of the high level of expertise in the field of Autism.

The ARC of North Carolina

http://arcnc.org/

(828) 253-1255

50 S French Broad Ave, #257, Asheville, NC 28801

The Arc of North Carolina has a local office located in downtown Asheville. They also have a great website with all the information you might need in regard to services. The ARC helps people with disabilities realize where and how they learn and live. Some of the many services they provide include guardianship, home and community support, and help with long-term planning. They provide a lot of different type of resources as well including educating parents on legal rights, budgeting and information on national and local resources and supports. One of the main ideas behind The ARC is self-advocacy and self-determination for all people with a disability.

FIRST of WNC http://www.firstwnc.org

PO Box 802, Asheville, NC 28802 828-277-1315

Outreach staff contact

tamiko.murray@firstwnc.org

FIRST of WNC is a great local resource that provides persons with disabilities and their families with programs and advocacy to support and foster healthy, inclusive and self-determined lives. FIRST provides many different programs including summer camps, education and IEP training, advocacy training, community connections and a lending library. Two projects they offer are the P.L.A.Y. project and the SUNSHINE project. The P.L.A.Y is an in home program designed to bring parents and children with Autism closer together building those must needed relationships. The SUNSHINE Project provides in home support and training for parents and children challenging social/emotional behaviors.

Children and Adults with AD/HD http://www.chadd.org/

Local Coordinators: Loretta Buckner

PO Box 690753

Charlotte, NC 28227-7013

Phone: 704.551.9120

This resource is designed to provide information on Attention Deficit/Hyper for parents, young adults and adults. The website gives a professional understanding of the causes, symptoms, evaluation and treatment of AD/HD. There are several offices in North Carolina including an office in Charlotte. One of the benefits of the website is that they offer a Virtual chapter. The virtual chapter provides live presentations on many topics and live support groups. The presentations are archived for later viewing. CHADD provides conferences around the United States that can benefit teachers and parents. If you are looking for a resource on the topic of AD/HD I would start here.

Understanding Special Education

http://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/

This is a parent built website that provides information on parent rights, IEP process, 504 plan and a special education term definition page. The wording during meetings and other activities can be very difficult for a parent to understand. Special Education terms are meant to protect the student but in the process those term can leave a parent in the dark. This website has a great section on the terms and how they are defined in the IEP process. Other great sections include success in school, parent comfort wall and a nice 504 handbook for parents that be printed out. If you would like to understand the special education process you should start here.

Eblen Charities -- http://www.eblencharities.org/

50 Westgate Parkway

Asheville, NC 28806

Phone: (828) 255-3066

Fax: (828) 255-3775

Email: eblenfound [at] aol.com

ELBEN Charities is a local organization that helps thousands of families each year. They provide many services which include providing medication, medical supplies, physician and dental visits, eye glasses, various health care needs, heating assistance, emergency assistance and tons of other services to help our local communities. If you have a particular need you can contact them directly and they will try their best to help. ELBEN does a lot in our schools like providing meals, coats and thousands of school supplies each year. ELBEN has a long standing relationship in our community of helping with the needs of students with disabilities. They can help with wheel chair, assistive technology or really any need you might have.

North Carolina Public Schools

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/

This is the link to the North Carolina Public schools website. This resource can keep you up to date on various school issues across the state. The website has links to all of the new Common Core standards and how they are being implemented in the classroom. This site provides school report cards, testing information and students with disabilities rules and regulations. The website will also let you know what is being taught to your child and how the new standards will affect every student. This is a one stop website for everything to do with North Carolina schools.

Autism Speaks

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Autism Speaks is the world’s largest organization dedicated to science, research and advocacy. They are dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism and to also increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. There site offers anything you would ever need in the field of Autism. The family resources are endless and the networking between families can the key to helping each other get through a difficult time. One of the best features is the hundreds of tool kits that are available to families. For example there are tool kits to help with toilet training, going to the dentist and thousands of other issues a family my encounter. You can also do a screening on your child with a professional format so you can have an understanding of what is going on and why. If you want information on Autism this is the site you need to visit.

My Child without limits

http://www.mychildwithoutlimits.org/?page=home

My Child without Limits was created in 2009 through a collaboration of parents, medical professionals and service providers with a common goal of providing important information to parents and caregivers. Several committees were created in the process where individuals gave their time and expertise to provide the information important to you. The website provides information on any type of disability and how to plan for the future starting with early interventions and ending with life planning. The site provides a great glossary of terms that is easy to use and easy to understand. There is a great section on assistive technology and how to get it your child’s hands. The site also provides links to thousands of resources.

http://www.enablemart.com/

This is a site filled with thousands of assistive technology products to fit any student’s needs. You can find daily living devices, keyboards, mouse, devices for low vision and communication. Along with education products that can be used in the home or at school. They offer products that are designed to improve the quality of life for any person with a disability. One of the best sections is the environmental controls section. These products allow people with severe disabilities controls things like lights and TV’s in their home.

ELIADA Homes

Eliada Homes, Inc.

2 Compton Dr.

P.O. Box 16708

Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 254-5356

www.eliada.org

Eliada’s services include Residential and Day Treatment for high risk children and adolescents; Child Development Center services, including Day Care, Summer Camp and School Age care; Foster Care and Therapeutic Foster Care. Eliada specializes in students with emotional and behavior issues that need more than just a school environment to improve on their overall quality of life. They provide after school care for students with various needs and maintain a 5 STAR license by the State of NC Department of Health and Human Resources Division of Child Development and they have an experienced staff that is qualified to take care of a child with needs. They also provide different summer camps and day events during the summer.

Disability.gov

https://www.disability.gov/

Disability.gov is the federal government website for comprehensive information on disability programs and services in communities across the nation. According to the site it can link to more than 14,000 resources from federal, state and local government agencies; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations. You can find answers to questions about everything you could ever image. The education link is a very useful tool for parents who have a child with a disability. You can learn about developing a IEP, teaching methods, local and state agencies and many more resources. This site can help you apply for various benefits that you are your child are entitled to and get you in contact with a local organization that can help you with the paperwork.

LD ONLINE

http://www.ldonline.org/

The website calls itself the world’s leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD and it just might be. You can start with the basics on ADHD and LD complete with a glossary and a questions and answers section. From that point on the website is endless when it comes to information both for parent and professionals. You can find advice and also get expert advice. You can find tons of resources that can be used in the classroom and in the home. The site features helpful articles, multimedia, monthly columns by well know experts and a very active forums section. The multimedia section is very nice because you can view videos and hear audio of various events so it makes it more user friendly.

Autism Social Stories

http://kidscandream.webs.com/main.htm

This is a great website for social stories. Social stories have been proven to help students with autism understand the social rules that they are unaware of. This website has lots of social stories ready to be used. This is a very simple and easy to use website designed by a sister who has two brothers with autism. It’s an easy sight to use with links to games, free social stories, information, and links to printable materials. Overall just a friendly no thrills easy to use website.

Education World

http://www.educationworld.com/special_ed/

Education World is a huge website that covers everything in the entire field of education. It has lesson plans, tips on technology, professional development, tools, templates, work sheets and just about anything you could image and to top it off they have a great section just for special education. In the special education section you will find information and tools, from Education World and other valuable sources, chosen specifically for the special education community. The website archives everything so that you can go back and read hundreds of articles. The site also has about ever forum you could every image.

North Carolina Assistive Technology Program

Local office

Bonnie Lane, Sylva NC

Contact-Mary Kay Dulin 828-631-9461

http://www.ncatp.org/index.htm

The best resource in the mountains of North Carolina for assistive technology needs. The local office is located in Sylva North Carolina and offers hundreds of different items that can be checked out by families or professionals. The center offers training for groups or individuals on various types of assistive technology. These is a nice place to go and try out an item before you spend tons of money on it and then find out it did not work as planned. These items can be checked out to classrooms so that teachers can match the equipment with the child then get something permanent in place. Most of the services are free like device loans, demos and training but they do offer other fee based services that would include different types of assessments.