As a parent of a child with autism, you may know firsthand how challenging it can be to find helpful resources and support. To make your journey easier, we’ve reviewed four top organizations that cater to families affected by autism.
In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to each of these organizations, the resources they offer, and the upcoming events you can participate in to connect with other families and professionals in the field. Whether you’re seeking information on early intervention, educational programs, therapy options, or support groups, these organizations are committed to providing the resources and support you need. So, let’s dive in and learn more about these invaluable resources for parents and families of children with autism!
Exceptional Lives
Exceptional Lives is a Louisiana-based organization that provides support, resources, and advocacy for individuals with disabilities, including autism. Their mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and their families to achieve exceptional lives by promoting access to information, resources, and opportunities. They offer a range of services, including educational workshops and training, support groups, and advocacy. In addition, Exceptional Lives provides information and referrals to families to help them navigate the complex systems of support and services, specifically qualification for government programs, employment, and health insurance. With a focus on empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their full potential, this is a valuable resource for families in Louisiana.
Exceptional Lives provides informative and educational webinars nearly every week for individuals with disabilities and their families. The webinars cover a range of topics related to disability, including advocacy, special education, healthcare, and more. By participating in these webinars, individuals can gain valuable information and insights to help them better understand and navigate the challenges they may face as well as join Q&As with other parents. Check out their website https://www.exceptionallives.org/webinars to join a webinar that will inspire and encourage you.
Families Helping Families
Families Helping Families is a non-profit organization that is committed to providing individuals with disabilities, including those with autism, the services, information, resources, and support they need to enhance their independence, productivity, and inclusion within the community. They currently have two locations in New Orleans which serve the Northshore area and the Greater New Orleans.
Act 378 provided a platform for parents of children with disabilities to find a support system that would provide disability information, resources, and support. By 1992, there was a Families Helping Families Resource Center in each region of Louisiana. Today, each Families Helping Families center is an independent nonprofit organization that builds programs based on the needs of their region, with funding from state contracts and donations. Their mission is to ensure that all individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to be educated, live, work, and recreate in their own communities. Through their range of services and resources, Families Helping Families empowers individuals and their families to navigate complex systems of care and access the support they need to thrive.
Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans provides a comprehensive training calendar with webinars and other events occurring several times a week to support individuals with disabilities and their families. Their webinars cover a range of topics including special education law, assistive technology, and transition planning. These training opportunities offer valuable information and resources for families and individuals. Families Helping Families is dedicated to empowering individuals and families to achieve greater independence, productivity, and inclusion within their community through education and support. By offering guidance and advocacy, Families Helping Families is working to create a more inclusive and equitable community for all.
Autism Society
The Autism Society of Greater New Orleans (ASGNO) is a non-profit organization that provides support, resources, and advocacy for individuals with autism and their families in the Greater New Orleans area. The organization was founded with the goal of improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families by promoting access to information, resources, and opportunities. ASGNO offers a range of services, including support groups, and educational workshops. With a focus on empowering individuals with autism to achieve their full potential, ASGNO is a valuable resource for families in the Greater New Orleans area.
ASGNO regularly hosts local events to raise awareness about autism and to provide a fun time for individuals with autism. One of their most popular events is the annual Autism Festival, which brings together individuals with autism, their families, and the wider community to celebrate and raise awareness about autism. The festival typically includes a variety of fun and educational activities, such as games, music, and food, as well as opportunities to connect with other families affected by autism and to learn about the latest resources and developments in the field. The festival will take place on April 22nd this year, so don’t miss it! With a focus on promoting inclusion and celebrating the strengths and abilities of individuals with autism, ASGNO’s other events include webinars, family outings, support groups (in English and Spanish!), among others. They also post new resources with exciting themes (videos, articles, websites, etc.) each month. Whether you’re a family member of an individual with autism, a professional in the field, or an individual with autism yourself, ASGNO is dedicated to providing the support, resources, and advocacy you need to succeed.
LCAAS
The Louisiana Coalition for Access to Autism Services (LCAAS) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving access to autism services and benefits for families in Louisiana. Their mission is to dramatically improve access to autism benefits and services throughout the state through advocacy and education. LCAAS works to remove barriers to benefits and services for children with autism. The organization is committed to improving the quality of life for children with autism and their families by advocating for increased access to resources and services and educating families, professionals, and policymakers about the needs of individuals with autism. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional working with children with autism, LCAAS is a valuable resource for learning more about the efforts to improve access to autism services and benefits in Louisiana. With a focus on advocacy, education, and collaboration, LCAAS is working to create a brighter future for children with autism and their families in Louisiana.
LCAAS partners with a variety of organizations and individuals to help fulfill their mission of improving access to autism services and benefits for families in Louisiana. Their partners include state agencies, advocacy organizations, service providers, and individuals with a shared commitment to supporting individuals with autism and their families. These partnerships include, but are not limited to Arches ABA Therapy, The Missing Piece, Inc., Grace Therapy Center, Soar, and Living Hope ABA Therapy. They help to bring a wider range of resources, perspectives, and expertise to the table, allowing LCAAS to more effectively advocate for increased access to autism services and benefits. The organization’s partners play a critical role in helping to achieve their mission and to create a brighter future for children with autism and their families in Louisiana.
Conclusion
There are a variety of resources available to parents of children with autism, each offering different programs, services, and events to support families. If you’re looking for information, support, or advocacy, organizations like Exceptional Lives, Autism Speaks, the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans, and the Louisiana Coalition for Access to Autism Services are here to help. Each of these organizations offers unique programs, services, and events to support families, and by working together, they are making a positive impact on the lives of children with autism and their families. By learning about these resources and taking advantage of what they have to offer, parents can find the support and resources they need to help their children reach their full potential while furthering the cause of autism awareness and acceptance.