• 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 Missouri Autism Society chapter.

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

Advocacy

Missouri TASH Chapter

MO-TASH is the Missouri Chapter of TASH, an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. Due to the make-up of our membership, which includes self-advocates, parents, educators, service providers, administrators and others, MO-TASH offers a unique combination of backgrounds and experience.

Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services

*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 - Missouri

Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities

The Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities is a federally funded, 23-member, consumer-driven council appointed by the Governor to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and integration in all aspects of community life.

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Autism Waiver

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Education

Missouri Department of Special Education

Missouri Parents Act (MPACT) Parent Training and Information

MPACT is a statewide parent training and information center serving all disabilities. Our mission is to ensure that all children with special needs receive an education that allows them to achieve their personal goals.


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Community Resources

Disabilities Advocacy and Support Network

The Disabilities Advocacy and Support Network is a parent-run support organization. The primary goal of the Network is to provide emotional and educational support, awareness within the community, and a therapeutic social outlet for individuals with development disabilities and their families.

Family Voices

Family Voices of Missouri, Inc. (FVMO), shares information and resources with families and professionals in a variety of ways such as: listservs and web-based information; newsletters and brochures; state, academic, public and private agency development; and family and professional leadership training on federal and state policy, family advocacy and partnering, child and family development, cultural diversity and competency, child abuse and neglect prevention, and physical, mental and oral health.

Learning Disabilities Association of Missouri

LDA is the largest non-profit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning disabilities. LDA of MO, through its affiliation with LDA of America, works continuously to provide services to individuals with learning disabilities, their parents and the professionals who serve them.

Missouri Families for Effective Autism Treatment

Our mission is to provide education, advocacy and support for families and the autism community and to promote early diagnosis and effective autism treatment.


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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