**StarNet** is an agency
funded
by the Illinois Department of Education which offers ìFamily
Fellowshipsî
of $300 to families to enable them to attend workshops and conferences
in the area. StarNet also has a free, very extensive circulating
library
of books, audio and video tapes, a large percentage of which deal with
autism. It is very up to date and you can always request that they
purchase
an item if they do not have it. They have a very small parent
membership
and a very large professional one and are striving to increase parental
use of their services. There are different locations depending on your
area: Northwest/Central Regions I & III (Macomb and
surrounding):309-298-1634;
Northern Region II (DesPlaines and surrounding):847-803-3565: Southern
Region IV (Belleville and surrounding):618-397-8930; Region V
(Chicago):773-553-3413;
South Suburbs are Region VI 708-957-7010. I do recommend calling the
StarNet
nearest you and getting on their mailing list - they also sponsor MANY
workshops for parentís of children with soecial needs on all
sorts of
useful
topics.
**Illinois Early Childhood
Intervention
Clearinghouse** provides a similar program. The phone number
for information on this program is 800/852-4302. The program provides
up
to $400 per individual (disabled, parent, guardian or immediate family
member of a disabled person) to attend conferences on disability
issues (does not have to be local conference - I used one stipend to
attend
a conference in Maryland!) or $600 per family every 2 years. They
also have a huge library of books to loan, and articles (copies
are
free). [Most of the articles listed in this packet are available
via the Clearinghouse or StarNet.]
As a vital part of the continuum of services for families, respite helps prevent out-of-home placements and possible abuse and neglect situations, preserves the family unit, and supports family stability.
National Respite
Locator
Service
helps
parents,
caregivers, and professionals find respite services in their state and
local area. The service is also useful when a family travels or must
move
to another state.
--------------------------------------
There seems to be two different kinds of respite care
available;
the first is funded by the United Way that pays for respite workers
(you
usually have to find your own worker but they will be paid) and the
second
is unfunded so you pay -at Clearbrook $50 per month for a volunteer who
will come into your home each week for about 4 hours usually in the
evenings
to care for all your children or at Easter Seals you pay $8 per hour
and
there is no limit. Some families use the first (free) kind to
hire
ABA therapists. With an autism diagnosis your child is probably
eligible
for about 15 hours per month of paid respite. There are different
agencies to contact for the funded type depending on your region. One
knowledgeable
agencyiss Glenkirk, call and they will direct you to the
appropriate
agency for your location. They are at 847/394-2171. Other contacts are:
Clearbrook Center at 847/634-2420, Easter Seals
847/501-3921.
Or contact any social worker or social services ageny - if they do not
provide respite they jolly well should be able to tell you who does in
your area.
Autism Resource Network - has a quarterly newsletter full of up-to-date information, and a wonderful mail order book store of the best literature on autism (also some educational toys etc.) You will want to contact them for a **free book store catalog** and sample newsletter. Write the Autism Resource Network, 5123 Westmill Rd., Minnetonka, MN 55345. (612)988-0088.
Autism Research Review - Another quarterly newsletter! Summarizes a lot of the medical research that is going on regarding autism, so you donít have to read dozens of pithy technical journals. Published by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., parent of an adult child with autism, and head of the Autism Research Institute. ARI also has accumulated collections of articles on related topics that can be requested for only a nominal zeroxing fee.
4182 Adams Ave.,Advocate - national newsletter of the Autism Society of America. Includes information on conferences around the country, parents stories, etc.
San Diego, CA 92116
619-281-7165
Promise -
quarterly
newsletter
of Illinois Autism Society - good on relating activity in
Springfield
that may affect local education law, etc. Contact:
**Autism Society of Illinois**
2200 S. Main St., Suite 317
Lombard, IL 60148
to join ASA, subscribe to Advocate/Promise, and learn whereabouts of
local chapters. ASA / ASI also has lotsa info for new parents!
PEAK Parent Center
An advocacy organization that creates curriculum and materials focused
on including students who have disabilities as active members of their
schools and communities has compiled a wonderful collection of
materials.
To get you own list of PEAK resources write:
PEAK Parent Center, Inc.
6055 Lehman Drive, Suite 101
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Mothers from Hell 2
P.O. Box 19
German Valley, IL 61039
phone 815-362-5303
www.mothersfromhell2.org
Mothers From Hell2
Exceptional Parent
Is a monthly publication for parents of children or young adults with
a disability or special needs. I have been reading Exceptional
Parent
for about five years, now, and although not every issue has an article
specific to autism, the overall information I have gleaned on
insurance,
special education laws and inclusion practices, advocacy, etc has more
than justified the subscription price ($32/12 issues). To
subscribe
call 1-800-562-1973 - or look for the magazine at local Borders
Bookstores.
**Different Roads to Learning**
Has a great catalog chock full of stuff useful to the parent of a
special
needs kiddo. Toys, photo cards, books, computer games - and most
everything particularly geared towards the needs of the child with
autism.
Small wonder - it is another mom of a kid like ours who has formed this
company and sends out this catalog! I highly recommend you call
1-800-853-1057
and request a free catalog today!
Retts Syndrome - If your daughter has been thus diagnosed, please contact the Rett Syndrome Association of Illinois at 847-342-9105. They will be a lifeline of support and information.
The Morning News
contains useful articles each issue that can be used to help
more advanced children with autism/Aspergerís correctly
interpret, and
appropriately use social language. The Morning News
is
an excellent publication, largely written by Carol Gray, creator of
Social
Stories. To subscribe send $18 for four big quarterly issues to:
The Morning News, Jenison Public Schools, 2140 Bauer Rd., Jenison,
MI
49428. Or - just write and ask for a list of all Grayís
publications
on Social Stories (including several useful books.)
20 E. Jackson Blvd, #900Publishes a newsletter on disability rights and benefits. Provides up-to-date information on SSI (Social Security Income - some of you may find your children qualify as autism is a covered disability.), Medicaid, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), etc. Lots of information on your childís education rights, how to deal with your local school and write an appropriate Individual Education Plan (IEP) and more ( they keep their eye on the antics in Springfield!). A great resource. They will also train you to participate in an IEP meeting.
Chicago, IL 60604
312/939-3513
National Information Center for Handicapped Children and
Youth
(NICHCY)
your federal tax dollars at work providing free general
information
on disabilities, including Autism/PDD, education rights, and more:
National Information Center fortop
Handicapped Children and Youth
Box 1492
Washington, D.C. 20013-1492
(800)999-5599
