Below are links to some free autism resources I’ve found helpful as a parent to an autistic child. I want to emphasize that I am sharing these purely to assist autistic individuals and their parents/caregivers, not to make your busy life more difficult by implying you must do everything on this list. In other words, no pressure. (I have no affiliation with these groups and make no money from recommending them.)
Developmental information
- CDC milestones. More helpful than your cousin Brenda yammering on about “late bloomers.”
- M-CHAT. Screening for autism in toddlers; can provide a helpful basis to talk to your pediatrician about developmental concerns. NOT a diagnosis of anything (except being a caring, concerned parent).
- Pathways.org. Guidance on milestones with practical, low-key advice. Also available as an app–one of the few child development apps I didn’t feel personally attacked by.
Services and support
- Early Intervention directory. Find your state’s contact info and ask for a free developmental assessment for your child from birth to age three. They may also provide a range of therapy services if your child qualifies. Since it’s a government program, results may vary, but at least you know they aren’t in it for the money!
- Guide to the Individualized Education Program. Your child may be eligible for supports and services through their school district. Not gonna lie, it can be a confusing process with many rules–this guide from the Department of Education is dense but helpful.
- Family Voices. Network of organizations that provide support for families of children with disabilities. Because everyone could use a little extra help.
- Big Red Safety Box. The National Autism Association has a free safety kit to help prevent elopement and keep tabs on your Houdini.
- SSA Disability Benefits. Autistic individuals may be eligible for financial assistance.
- Children’s Medicaid waiver programs by state. Information for all fifty states, covering Medicaid waivers and similar benefits for children with medical needs. If you’re not familiar with waivers, they can offer financial assistance outside the usual income rules for Medicaid, but they usually have insane wait lists – so it’s better to apply before you think you need it.
- A Guide to Dental Care for Children with Autism. Because most people don’t LOVE the dentist, but autism can make it particularly challenging.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- ASDF iPad Program. If you’re thinking about an AAC app, you’ve probably thought about getting an iPad. ASDF provides free iPads to help nonspeaking kids communicate. The application period is usually in October, but check the website for details. Lina received an iPad from this group and uses it with Proloquo2go – – we’ve been super grateful (and, at times, amused).
- Apraxia Kids “Speech Tablets for Apraxia” Program. As you might expect from the name, this program is aimed at kids with apraxia, which often overlaps with autism. They provide free iPads based on an apraxia diagnosis and financial need. The application period usually runs from October through January. Bonus: the Apraxia Kids website has a lot of really helpful information and resources!
- Lilly’s Voice. This nonprofit is dedicated to providing AAC devices to those who otherwise cannot afford it. Even better, they help you set it up and teach you some tactics to use it…great for those of us who struggle a little with new technology, that is, most people!
Entertainment/Media
- National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass. Disabled individuals can receive a free, lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreation sites.
- Educational activities. The website Teachers Pay Teachers has a range of free autism resources, including sorting activities, visuals, and worksheets that actually look kinda fun!
- Loop. See my full review of Loop here. TL;DR it’s a compelling short animated film, showing the world through the eyes of a nonspeaking teenage girl in a canoe. (Free if you have access to Disney+)
- Uniquely Human: The Podcast. Dr. Barry Prizant collaborates with Dave Finch, an autistic writer, to cover a broad range of topics about autism. Bonus: you can listen and learn while your hands are otherwise occupied with a million other things.
- Apple Store “Autism Acceptance” apps. Apple has compiled a wide variety of apps that can be helpful to autistic individuals, from AAC to coloring and games. Some are free, some are paid. I don’t agree with everything on their list (looking at you, Speech Blubs), but some are definitely worth a try.
Books (possibly free depending on your library, otherwise low-cost)
- Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, by Dr. Barry Prizant. A Speech Language Pathologist/clinical researcher writes about how to support autistic individuals and their gifts.
- Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, by Steve Silberman. A fascinating account of autism throughout the ages, with a focus on the unique contributions that autistic people can make–and have made–to our society.
- Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism, by Temple Grandin. Written by one of the pioneers in the autism self-advocacy world, this book is a great peek into the mind of an autistic individual. Although no two people with autism are alike, there is a lot to learn from Dr. Grandin’s well-written and descriptive account of her early life and career.
- The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism, by Naoki Higashida. This book is not without controversy, including whether it was actually written by a nonspeaking autistic boy or by neurotypical adults who say they assisted him in writing and translating. I include it in this list because I have heard from other parents that they benefited from what they believe are insights into a nonspeaking individual’s mind. I can’t weigh in with any authority on the book’s authenticity, but I do know that nonspeaking individuals can have an active, rich inner world.
- An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn, by Drs. Sally Rogers, Geraldine Dawson, and Laurie Vismara. I love that this book provides solid, research-based examples of activities and communication to help parents connect with their children through play. Frankly it’s a great resource for any parent, as many of the tips could be helpful for play with neurotypical children, but they really resonated with me when I was struggling to share my daughter’s world.
Did I miss something? (I’m sure I did.) Please feel free to send me your recommendations for free autism resources to include on this list!
