• 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 New Jersey Autism Society chapter.

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

Advocacy

Community Health Law Project

The Community Health Law Project provides legal and advocacy services, training, education and related activities to persons with disabilities and to organizations representing their interests, with an emphasis on those most vulnerable and needy.

Legal Services of New Jersey

Legal Services of New Jersey embraces the vision of full access to essential civil legal aid for all economically disadvantaged people who cannot secure a lawyer on their own, and through that legal aid equal justice, both substantive and procedural.

Disability Rights New Jersey

*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 - New Jersey

Autism New Jersey

Autism New Jersey (ANJ) is a nonprofit agency providing information and advocacy, services, family and professional education, and consultation. ANJ encourages responsible basic and applied research that may lessen the effects of and potentially prevent autism. ANJ is dedicated to ensuring that all people with autism receive appropriate, effective services to maximize their growth potential and to enhancing the general public's overall awareness of autism.

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Autism Waiver

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

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Education Law Center

Education Law Center (ELC) advocates on behalf of public school children for access to an equal and adequate education under state and federal laws. ELC focuses on improving public education for disadvantaged children, and children with disabilities and other special needs. ELC uses a wide variety of strategies, including public education and engagement, policy initiatives, research, communications and, as a last resort, legal action.

New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education

NJCIE is the only organization in New Jersey whose sole focus is to promote inclusion through research-based practices. Its membership includes parents, teachers, educational professionals, school administrators and self-advocates (young people who have benefited from inclusion).

New Jersey Department of Education- Special Education Programs


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Community Resources

Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities

The Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD) is a non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with multiple physical and developmental disabilities so that they may have the opportunity to attain the highest level of purpose and dignity. ABCD represents member agencies that provide a broad array of community-based services to approximately 10,000 people with developmental disabilities and their families statewide.

Asperger Friends

Asperger Friends is a support group for children and families living with Asperger’s. The website offers resources for members of this community as well as links to information about school, transition services and other topics.

Asperger Syndrome Education Network

ASPEN provides families and individuals whose lives are affected by autism spectrum disorders and nonverbal learning disabilities with education, support and advocacy. Our 15 chapters meet monthly, alternating parent support meetings with speaker presentations.

Association for Special Children and Families

This website provides information and support for parents, volunteers and educators as well as links to activities for children.

Autism Family Services of New Jersey

Autism Family Services of New Jersey (AFSNJ) is a leading provider of family support services to the autism population under contract with the New Jersey State Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Community Access Unlimited

CAU's mission is to provide community access through effective and comprehensive support services for people with disabilities, at-risk youth and people with affordable housing needs, giving them the opportunity to live independently and to lead normal and productive lives as citizens integrated into the community.

Department of Human Services- Division of Developmental Disabilities

FACES Autism Support Network

Families for Autistic Children Education & Support (FACES) is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and support of children with autism and their families. Our mission is centered on early intervention, education, advocacy and support for families affected by autism spectrum disorder in the south Jersey area.

Statewide Parent Advocacy Network

The mission of the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is to empower and support families, and inform and involve professionals and others interested in the healthy development and education of children and youth. SPAN’s foremost commitment is to children and families with the greatest need due to disability; poverty; discrimination based on race, sex, language, immigrant, or homeless status; involvement in the foster care, child welfare, or juvenile justice systems; geographic location; or other special circumstances.

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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