RESOURCE PAGE - Autism and Asperger Syndrome

P.A.C.E. (Parent Advocacy Council for Education)

According to the Autism Society of America, autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a specific set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" affecting individuals differently and to varying degrees.

P.A.C.E. does not endorse any person, therapy, or service. Those listed below are submitted as recommendations by P.A.C.E. members.

THIS LIST WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AND EXPAND. PLEASE SEND RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADDITIONS to PACE.msd@gmail.com.

Websites and online articles

AUTISM SPEAKS

An autism advocacy, research, information and fundraising organization, which has merged with other significant autism organizations: Cure Autism Now, National Alliance for Autism Research, and Autism Coalition for Research and Education.

COSAC, NJ Center for Outreach & Services for the Autism Community

COSAC runs an excellent annual conference in May in Atlantic City. Their site includes much information about autism and treatments and many links to additional sites.

ASPEN - Asperger Syndrome Education Network

Asperger Syndrome Education Network ASPEN provides families and individuals whose lives are affected by Austism Spectrum Disorders and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities with education, support, and advocacy.

SUPER DUPER INC.

This website offers learning materials for kids with special needs. Recommended and used by speech therapists and behavioralists. Materials are available for a wide variety of learning disabilities.

MOSAIC List Yahoo Group

New Jersey parents-only support group (based in Bergen County, NJ) for parents of children diagnosed with ASD over the age of five. Mosaic is not a list about the NJ Early Intervention System or recovery though all parents are welcome to join and voice their opinions about treatments, therapies, education or seek guidance. Our archives contain a wealth of information for the special needs of the newly diagnosed and we encourage you to explore them for information on how to maneuver through the early days after your child has been diagnosed with autism/PDD. Also look for Mosaic on Facebook!

Books and articles

Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book, Celeste Shally and David Harrington. Forward by Alison Singer of Autism Speaks.
An excellent book written for elementary children, good for introducing autism to neurotypical children.

Autism's Hidden Blessings by Kelly Langston was written by a mother of a child with autism. As alluded to in the title, it has religious undertones and uses Biblical references to highlight some of her personal struggles and triumphs along life's journey with a family member with autism. It is meant to encourage and uplift parents. In the back of the book is a bibliography with some of her recommended resources.

Kathy Hoopmann has begun a wonderful series of chapter books for kids 9 years and up called Asperger Adventures. Some of the titles in the series are: Blue Bottle Mystery, Of Mice and Aliens, and Lisa and the Lacemeaker. At least one of the book's characters has or is diagnosed with Asperger's. In these fictional adventures some of the traits of the disorder are highlighted and expounded upon so the reader, be that neurotypical or not, can gain a greater appreciation of the disorder. The series was recomended by a developmental pediatrician to help explain more about autism to a second grader diagnosed with PDD-NOS.

Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes by jennifer Elder introduces children aged 8 to 12 years to famous, inspirational figures from the world of science, art, math, literature, philosophy and comedy. Eight-year-old Quinn, a young boy with Asperger's Syndrome, tells young readers about the achievements and characteristics of his autism heroes, from Albert Einstein, Dian Fossey and Wassily Kandinsky to Lewis Carroll, Benjamin Banneker and Julia Bowman Robinson, among others.

Therapies and Activity Programs

JAMMIN JENN MUSIC THERAPY FOR CHILDREN

Jammin Jenn (Jennifer Pacht-Goodman) is a Certified Music Therapist in Watchung, New Jersey. She was Educated at The Boston Conservatory of Music and holds a Masters degree in Music Therapy from NYU.
She has performed all over the world as a singer and actress, but now devotes her professional life to enhancing the lives of children with special needs.

SNAP, Inc. (SPECIAL NEEDS ATHLETIC PROGRAMS)

SNAP is a non-profit organization created to inspire kids and raise awareness about the impact they can make in the lives of children with special needs. Our mission statement is to create a culture of acceptance of all children. Programs include sports clinics, in house buddy program, mentor program, and scholarships.

PEDIATRIC THERAPY & YOGA OF MORRIS

Dr. Yana Kofman is a pediatric physical therapist in Morristown who provides therapeutic yoga to children of varying needs. In her studio, she and her staff have two yoga classes designed specifically for children with special needs such as Down's, Autism, ADD/ADHD and many other disorders listed on her website. The focus is to aid in socio-emotional development and strong emotional intelligence through yoga postures, breathing and relaxation with meditation.

Enter supporting content here

P.A.C.E. is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit in the Sate of New Jersey.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this website is intended for educational purposes only. Given that the laws that govern special education are continually changing, always consult the New Jersey Special Education Administrative Code regulations to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. For any remaining questions, you should consult an attorney who specializes in special education law in this state.

P.A.C.E. (Parent Advocacy Council for Education) in Morris School District, Morristown, New Jersey