• 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 Rhode Island Autism Society chapter.

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

Advocacy

Rhode Island Disability Law Center

The Rhode Island Disability Law Center (RIDLC) provides free legal assistance to persons with disabilities. Services include individual representation to protect rights or secure benefits and services, self-help information, educational programs, and administrative and legislative advocacy.

*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 - Rhode Island

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Autism Waiver

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Education

Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education


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Community Resources

I Care

I Care is a support group for families of individuals with ASD. All are welcome to join us as we share and learn from each other. We openly discuss a variety of topics facing families touched by autism spectrum disorder, including but not limited to school services, health, behavior, therapy and related seminars.

FEAT of Rhode Island

Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Rhode Island's (FEAT/RI) mission is to disseminate accurate information regarding autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and effective science-based treatment to families, professionals and our community, and to provide guidance, support, training and advocacy for families of children with ASD.

Division of Developmental Disabilities

The Division is responsible for planning, providing and administering a community system of services/ supports for adults with developmental disabilities in Rhode Island by enhancing the quality of support/services so that people with disabilities can identify and move toward personal futures of inclusion and participation in community life; safeguarding the health and safety of people with disabilities through quality management activities that promote human rights and protect people from abuse; and ensuring equitable access to and allocation of available resources in order to be responsive to the individual needs of the person.

Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council

Promoting the ideas that will enhance the lives of people with developmental disabilities is one of the Council's missions. Under our federal enabling legislation, we must stay abreast of and share information about new programs and services and important issues, trends and ideas that are of concern to people with developmental disabilities, families, service agencies, business and community leaders, legislators and policymakers. Our website connects people with the information they need to make positive changes in their lives or develop a frame of reference for decision making.

Rhode Island Parent Information Network

The Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) provides information, support and training to empower parents, families, individuals and family-serving professionals to become effective advocates for themselves and the children in their care.

The Autism Project of Rhode Island

The Autism Project of Rhode Island is a dedicated group of parents, teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists and other related professionals. Our mission is to empower parents and professionals to educate and support individuals with autism and their families.


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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