• Local Chapters
• Advocacy
• Public Policy
• Autism Waiver
• Education
• Community Resources
• Events
• Autism Source

Local Chapters

Autism Society chapters are your best source of information and support. Most chapters are volunteer-led by parents, care providers and other professionals. The Autism Society has chapters in nearly every state reaching out to individuals with autism and their families with information, support, and encouragement.

Contact a Michigan Autism Society chapter.

Visit Autism Source to find local doctors, service providers and other useful resources in your area.

Advocacy

Community Advocates

We exist as an advocacy organization to make it possible for each person with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of community and to support the effort of each individual to determine his/her own future.

Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service

*Please note that in the context of Special Education Law, an "advocate" differs from an attorney in several ways. By definition, an "advocate" is one that supports or promotes the interests of another while an "attorney" is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on behalf of his or her clients. Although both may be able to help with your legal situation, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) only attorney's fees are recoverable to families prevailing in lawsuits. This delineation was the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision in Arlington Central School District Board of Education v. Murphy, 548 U.S. 291 (2006). There is currently legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would reverse this outcome (the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, HR 434).

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2008 State Autism Profiles - Michigan

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council

The Developmental Disabilities Council is a vehicle for change. Its members each recognize that persons with disabilities must be included in the mainstream of American society, which includes employment, education, housing and the myriad of social activities that make up American life.

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Autism Waiver

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Education

Bridges 4 Kids

Michigan’s most comprehensive website, providing parents, educators and others the information they need to help children who might be at-risk or have special needs. It is updated daily and includes information on child development, educational issues and opportunities, and extensive disability, gifted, at-risk, parenting and teaching resources. Choose the "search" function on our menu to search the entire site for the information you need.

Department of Education

Michigan Alliance for Families

Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support and education to families of children and adults with disabilities, from birth to age 26, who are in the educational system. The purpose of the project is to increase the involvement of families in their children's education and the educational system in general.

Citizens Alliance to Uphold Special Education (CAUSE)

CAUSE is a statewide, non-profit coalition providing free information, referral, support, advocacy and workshops to parents and professionals working with children with disabilities and special needs.


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Community Resources

Advocacy Services for Kids (ASK)

ASK provides free parent support groups; free individual support to Kalamazoo County residents; referrals to community services and agencies; a clearinghouse for information about disorders, education law, mental health rights and services; a newsletter (published six times a year); a lending library; parent/community trainings; and parent and youth advisory committees.

Autism and Behavioral Support Center

The Autism & Behavioral Support Center is the only center in Michigan to offer Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)^®, Gentle Teaching, and Neurofeedback. The cost of treatment is very reasonable when compared to other centers. The Center utilizes a research-based outcome approach that provides continual treatment monitoring to maximize progress.

Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) provides empirically supported assessment and intervention, as well as consultation services, for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Parent training and support groups are also offered.


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Autism Source

To find more information in your state, please visit www.autismsource.org.

The Autism Society welcomes your comments: If you would like to make a suggestion or share beneficial resources not included in this page, please click here to fill out our contact form.

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Last updated: 22 January 2009