Exceptional Needs Today
Directory of Resources and Services
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Abilities Workshop
Abilities Workshop works to enrich, improve, and empower the lives of children with autism through community-building programs and parental training so children obtain optimal success with health improvements and independence. They provide an educational platform and informational clearinghouse, mentoring, training, and support for parents, pastors, and teachers to empower families to successfully navigate their child's special needs journey for optimal success.
Website: www.AbilitiesWorkshop.com
Location: 631 Palm Springs Dr. #107 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Contact: Office@AbilitiesWorkshop.com
Phone: 407-951-6117
Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR) is a Maryland nonprofit corporation. Our mission is to inform changes in policy and practice to reduce and eliminate the use of punitive discipline and outdated behavioral management approaches and end the school-toprison pipeline. Our vision is safer schools for students, teachers, and staff.
Website: https://endseclusion.org
Location: Benedict, Maryland (Nationwide)
Contact: Guy Stephens
Phone: (866) 667-2576
Autism Moving Forward
We are educators, autistic adults, and professionals. We are neurodivergent and neurotypical. Autism Moving Forward is committed to supporting autistic individuals across their lifespans through online resources, consultation, book development, and hybrid publication. We consult with school districts and outside agencies and write, edit, and develop books and other materials for educators, parents, and the neurodivergent community.
Website: https://www.autismmovingforward.com/
Location: Online & Topeka, KS
Contact: Rebecca Silva, Ph.D.
Phone: 951-243-4424
Becoming RentABLE
Becoming rentABLE is a platform dedicated to advocating for and educating about creating accessible short-term rental properties for family members & individuals that need accommodations due to mobility, cognitive, hearing, sight, and aging accessibility needs.
Website: www.BecomingRentABLE.com
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Contact: Lorraine Woodward Lorraine@BecomingRentABLE.com
Phone: (919)426-4312
Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence
These pediatric specialty clinics focus on providing the Gold-Standard of evaluation for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder. Children can be seen at the centers up to their 21st birthday. The AAC is a nonprofit, evaluation‐only center providing a single, one-stop solution to a multi‐specialty evaluation process.
Website: https://www.autismassessment4ie.org/ Locations:
19314 Jesse Ln., STE 200, Riverside, CA, & 1499 S. Tippecanoe Ave., Bldg. A, San Bernardino, CA
Contact: info@ieaace.com
Phone: (909) 799-3777
SearchABLE
This unique search engine is designed to help parents and professionals find resources for the special needs community. You may search a geographic area and filter the results based on your desired service.
Website: www.SearchableNOW.com
Location: Orlando FL
Contact: Office@AbilitiesWorkshop.com
Phone: 407-951-6117
Supportable Solutions
For over a decade, we've developed professional development, audited districts, and supported schools through coaching, consulting, and evaluating students. Our commitment to fostering a conducive learning environment extends beyond classrooms. Through collaboration, we empower others to maximize their potential. Our goal is an inclusive educational system where every learner thrives.
Website: https://supportablesolutions.com/
Location: Wisconsin
Contact: Connie Persike
Phone: 608-333-4464 or connie@supportablesolutions.com
US Autism Association
The home of the World Autism Conference, the Autism Support Directory, and the world's largest autism-focused Video Streaming Library of world-renowned experts, the US Autism Association has been providing information and resources since 1995 to ensure individuals across the autism spectrum have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.
Website: https://usautism.org
Location: 1245 Farmington Ave. #1044 West Hartford, CT 06107
Contact https://usautism.org/contact-us/
EDUCATION
SCHOOLS & LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMS
Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education
The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education offers Arts Education Programs for people with disabilities ages 3 to 93. Programs include a wide range of music lessons, classes, and ensembles, as well as two adaptive dance programs and a theater program. Interested individuals and families should fill out and submit an online application at college.berklee.edu/biaae/arts-educationprograms. Each individual program has a red APPLY button at the bottom of its webpage.
Website: college.berklee.edu/biaae
Location: Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
Contact: Dr. Rhoda Bernard, Managing Director
Phone: 617-747-2760
Digitability
Digitability is an award-winning comprehensive life skills and transition curriculum that continues to be recognized as an innovative solution to the unemployment crisis facing a large — and growing — population of those with disabilities, such as autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and more. Students graduate with a workready portfolio and the skills to showcase their experiences, as well as a self-advocacy plan for any workplace.
Website: www.Digitability.com
Location: USA/Canada
Contact: info@digitability.com
Springbrook Behavioral Health
Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health is a nationally renowned program for the treatment of autism in children and adults ages 5-21. We work with the entire spectrum of children and adolescents with autism at all developmental levels. We work with children using
advanced, evidence-based autism therapy programs to address difficult behaviors.
Website: springbrookbehavioral.com
Location: 1 Havenwood Lane, Suite B, Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Contact: admissions@springbrookbhs.com
Phone: (864) 834-8013
Winston Preparatory School
Winston Preparatory School is a highly individualized school network for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, executive functioning difficulties (ADHD), and nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD). Our programming is tailored to each student's specific needs, allowing all students to become independent learners.
Website: https://www.winstonprep.edu
NEW YORK
126 West 17 Street
New York, NY 10011 212-496-8400
CONNECTICUT
57 West Rocks Road Norwalk, CT 06851 203-229-0465
NEW JERSEY
901 Route 10 East Whippany, NJ 07981 973-500-6480
TRANSITIONS NYC
240 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
646-869-4600
LONG ISLAND
30 Deforest Road Dix Hills, NY 11746 631-779-2400
MARIN COUNTY
1 Saint Vincents Drive San Rafael, CA 94903 415-993-5533
TRANSITIONS SF
360 9th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118 415-766-2395
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES
ADVOCACY
J. Edwards Holt
J. Edwards Holt is an Amazon bestselling author from North Carolina. As a person with a disability, Holt developed an understanding for those with exceptional needs over years of fighting anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, and mild Tourette's. As an author, he incorporates his experiences into his writing, creating works of fiction that offer advice and valuable lessons, as well as a chance for readers to take a break from reality and spend time in a world of magic and endless possibilities.
Website: www.jedwardsholt.com
Location: Raleigh, NC
Contact: j@jedwardsholt.com
Phone: 252-590-1757
THERAPY & SUPPORT
Amy Wagenfeld | Design
Amy Wagenfeld | Design works with designers, engineers, and planners to create inclusive and accessible environments that support health and well-being. We also consult directly with clients to evaluate proposals to enhance and optimize their design value for the intended user group and provide therapeutic design coaching services for therapists.
Website: www.amywagenfelddesign.com
Location: Seattle, WA / Does business throughout the US
Contact: Amy Wagenfeld
Phone: 617-875-4883
Autism Crisis Turnaround
The ACT (Autism Crisis Turnaround) protocol (for children and adults), developed by authors and autism thought leaders Raun K. Kaufman and Kate C. Wilde, is designed to drastically reduce meltdowns, high anxiety, and extreme/explosive behaviors in a few weeks by addressing the underlying causes and respecting the autistic experience.
Website: www.autismcrisisturnaround.com
Location: Worldwide: Online Live Zoom Course
Contact: contact@autismcrisisturnaround.com
Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC
We know your family is a system, and often, more than one person may be neurodiverse (ADHD, ASD, or other learning differences). We coach parents and marriages while including faith. Courses are available for parents who have a child newly diagnosed or transitioning into adolescents. Upon completing a course, we coach you through your next steps or connect you with another coach who may better fit your family situation. Dr. Holmes and her husband, Dan, coach NeuroDiverse couples (where one partner or both are on the spectrum).
Website:www.HolmesASR.com
Location: Atlanta, GA, but we use Zoom for Meetings
Contact: dr.stephanie@holmesasr.com
Neurodiverse Christian Couples Podcast
We have free resources for you in articles and blogs and our weekly podcasts aimed at helping NeuroDiverse Christian Couples move from surviving to thriving and embracing the neurodiversity in their marriage! We also have courses for couples who are new to the discovery of neurodiversity in their marriage. If you are not ready for couples' work, we have group coaching for men and women and meet-up groups for couples! Find out more at our website. You are not alone in your journey; there is hope for YOUR future!
Website: https://www.mentalhealthnewsradionetwork.com/ourshows/neurodiverse-christian-couples/ Find our complete catalog of over 100 episodes! Our focus is autism or neurodiversity in marriage. You can find out more at: www.christianneurodiversemarriage.com
NEUROSHIFTS
Many families in the Autism/Neurodiverse community are living in a place of fear, stress and worry about their future. Neuroshifts empowers individuals and families to achieve greater emotional, mental and spiritual well-being by providing them with simple tools and techniques they need to live a joy-filled “Green Zone” Life!
Website: www.neuro-shifts.org
Location: Tampa, Florida
Contact: Vicky Westra
Phone: 813-251-2787
Rollins Counseling, LLC
Rollins Counseling LLC serves families in South Carolina and offers therapeutic services for neurodivergent adolescents & adults. Tosha Rollins is the published author of Autismology An Autism Dictionary, public speaker, and autism training consultant.
Website: https://tosharollins.com/
Location: Upstate Carolina Counseling Associates 405 A East 1st Ave, Easley SC 29640
Contact: Tosha D. Rollins, MA, LPC, ASDCS Phone: 864-644-8251
The Clinic for Special Children
The Clinic for Special Children was founded by Dr. Karen Harum, MD, FAAP, to provide accurate diagnosis, whole child treatments, specialty care, and consultation for children with developmental disabilities and behavioral problems, including special expertise in the neuroscience of learning and autism.
Website: www.clinicforspecialchildren.net
Location: 432 Eastwood Road, Ste 200, Wilmington NC, 28403
Contact: reception@clinicforspecialchildren.net Phone: 910-319-7744
The Scent Guru Group
Our mission is to improve the quality of life through the sense of smell with the MindScent® multi-sensory kit, which is considered invaluable to many Speech Therapists who use it in their practice. We are committed to helping people with diverse and life-challenging afflictions, such as dementia and speech communication impairments, such as autism.
Website: htpps://thescentgurugroup.com
Location: Atlanta, GA
Contact: Ruth Sutcliffe
Phone: 404-376-2806
The Social Learning Center
The Social Learning Center was founded in 2009 based on a need Dr. Abildgaard recognized early in his career when working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Since opening its doors, SLC has grown to offer a range of therapeutic services, including social cognitive groups, mental health counseling, educational consultation, professional development, executive function coaching, and parent advocacy.
Website: www.sociallearingcenter.org
Location: Cheshire, CT
Contact: Lois Silver, Office Manager
Phone: 203-250-0305
Voices of Change
Voices of Change 2018 is a national organization piloting its groundbreaking programs in Ohio. Their mission is to reduce the risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children with disabilities. They are building a foundation for advocacy, awareness, resources, and support for children with disabilities and their families.
Website: https://www.voicesofchange2018.org
Location: United States
Contact: Nicole Moehring, Founder, Executive Director
Phone: 440-864-7074
Your Autism Coach, LLC
Your Autism Coach, LLC provides comprehensive support programs and seminars for parents and families of special needs children and adults. Deanna Picon is an award-winning writer and author of The Autism Parents' Guide to Reclaiming Your Life Her mission is to empower parents as they advocate for their children.
Website: www.yourautismcoach.com
Location: New York City
Contact: Deanna Picon
Phone: 347-869-4705
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
A Special Needs Plan
A Special Needs Plan Inc. is a nationwide special needs planning advisory firm founded to serve special needs families often struggling with the worry that comes with planning for the future care and financial well-being of their loved ones.
Website: www.aspecialneedsplan.com
Location: 101 N. McDowell St., Ste. 120, Charlotte, NC 28204
Contact: info@aspecialneedsplan.com
Phone: 704-326-7910
Tara Wealth Management
At Tara Wealth Management, we are committed to guiding you towards financial success and security. Our seasoned experts offer personalized solutions tailored to your unique goals and aspirations. With a focus on integrity and transparency, we strive to build lasting relationships while helping you navigate the complexities of wealth management and achieve a brighter financial future. Let’s set a time to reshape your future!
Website: tarawealthmanagement.com
Location: Charlotte, NC, but they work in other states as well
Contact: Jeniffer Gillette-Dionne @ jeniffer@tarwealthmgmt.com
Phone: 704-618-4605
TECHNOLOGY
LoganTech
Low to mid-tech AAC products and accessories, iPad keyguards and cradles, device mounting systems, Braille learning and labeling systems and a supportive community for parents and SLP's.
Website: www.logantech.com
Location: Waterbury, CT
Contact: Sales
Phone: (866) 962-0966