Where You Can Turn for Support
* Autism Society of Los Angeles: Provides general information, plus contacts for local support groups--including ones for Spanish-speaking people--and a library with books, videos and research papers. Sponsors an autism conference in Pasadena on April 27-29. 1612 W. Olive Ave., Suite 201, Burbank 91506; (818) 953-3855; https://www.autismsocietyla.org.
* Cure Autism Now: Finding effective treatments for autism. 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 715, Los Angeles 90036; (323) 549-0500; https://www.cureautismnow.org.
* Protection and Advocacy Inc: Helps people with disabilities obtain services. The nonprofit organization’s booklet, “Special Education: Rights and Responsibilities,” outlines the law around special education. 100 Howe Ave., Suite 185-N, Sacramento 95825; (916) 488-9955; https://www.pai-ca.org.
* Comfort Connection Family Resource Center: Serves families of children, birth to 36 months, born at risk or with disabilities. 12361 Lewis St, Suite 101; Garden Grove 92840-4683; (888) FRC-BABY, https://www.comfortconnection.org.
* The HELP Group: Family of nonprofit agencies serving children, adolescents, young adults and families with special needs including autism. 13130 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91401; (877) 943-5747; www.thehelpgroup.org.
* UCLA Family Support Community Program: Provides support, including a summer camp, to families with a child or adolescent with autism and other social/communication disorders. (310) 206-6150.
* Professional Advocates for Special Students: Helps parents obtain services for their children. 6200 Vista del Mar, Suite 101, Playa Del Rey 90293; (310) 301-0817; https://www.professionaladvocates.com.
* Useful Web sites: https://www.isn.net/~jypsy (based on one family’s experiences); https://www.feat.org (Families for Early Autism Treatment); https://www.reedmartin.com and https://www.wrightslaw.com (both about special education law); https://www.futurehorizons-autism.com (publishers of autism-related books); and https://www.autism.org (Center for the Study of Autism).
* Books about autism:
“Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph Over Autism,” by Catherine Maurice. Fawcett Books, 1994.
“Facing Autism: Giving Parents Reasons for Hope and Guidance for Help,” by Lynn M. Hamilton. WaterBrook Press, 2000.
“A Parent’s Guide to Autism,” by Charles A. Hart. Pocket Books, 1993.
“Autism: The Facts,” by Simon Baron-Cohen and Patrick Bolton. Oxford Paperbacks, 1993.
“Autism Treatment Guide,” 2nd Edition, by Elizabeth Gerlach. Future Horizons, 2000.
* Books about a kind of autism called Asperger’s syndrome:
“Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals,” by Tony Attwood. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1998.
“Autism and Asperger Syndrome,” edited by Uta Frith. Cambridge University Press, 1991.
“Asperger Syndrome,” by Ami Klin, Fred. R Volkmar and Sara S. Sparrow. The Guilford Press, 2000.
“Pretending to Be Normal,” by Liane Holliday Willey. Jessica Kingsley Pub., 1999.