Autism Resources
Autism is a developmental disability characterized by social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Autism is one of the developmental disabilities that qualify for services and supports in accordance with the Lanterman Act (Welfare & Institutions Code 4512(a)(1)). You can learn more about eligibility for services here: https://www.dds.ca.gov/general/eligibility/ .
The CDC provides information about Autism, screening and diagnosis, prevalence data and statistics, and free fact sheets, materials and media.
For more information about autism for individuals and families:
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development provides general information about Autism.
NIMH provides information about Autism signs and symptoms, free brochures, and digital media graphics.
The National Library of Medicine offers information and resources about Autism.
IACC is a federal advisory committee that coordinates national efforts on issues related to Autism. You can find information about their meetings, research advances in Autism, federal reports and highlights, events, and resources. Their website also provides information about Autism in other states: State Resources for Autism.
University of California Davis (UCD) Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (CEDD) (en Español)
UCEDD is home to research, resources, virtual support groups, and educational programs and videos on disabilities and Autism for individuals, parents, caregivers, and professionals.
The UCLA Tarjan Center, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), hosts educational programs, trainings, and podcast episodes related to Autism and developmental disabilities for individuals, parents, caregivers, and professionals.
The USC UCEDD provides a variety of resources, family supports, and community and professional education opportunities related to developmental disabilities and Autism.
UCSD ACE is a National Institutes of Health-funded research program with information and resources about Autism.
Resources for Individuals
SCDD is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency. With SCDD, you can learn about self-advocacy through the Statewide Self-Advocacy Network for persons with disabilities, how to enroll in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) with your regional center, and you can access the Disability Thrive Initiative resource library.
DOR offers services for people with disabilities, including programs for students and youth, and employment and independent living services for people with disabilities. They also host the California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities.
Soluna is a CalHOPE program that offers a free mental health support app for youth and young adults, featuring interactive tools, videos, forums, and 1:1 chat with professional coaches.
CalHHS lists hotlines for youth from a variety of backgrounds and communities, as well as free videos, guides, tools, and educational resources for youth, parents, families, and friends. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is an easy to remember three-digit number that anyone can call, text, or chat to receive support when experiencing a mental health or substance-use-related crisis. You can also find Back-to-School mental health resources.
CalHOPE offers mental health and wellness resources for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including the CalHOPE Connect warmline and chat available in multiple languages. CalHOPE also offers the RedLine phone, chat, and video chat resource line for Urban Indian and Tribal individuals.
CYBHI supports behavioral health for California’s children, youth, and their families. Efforts focus on promoting social and emotional well-being, preventing behavioral health challenges, and providing equitable, appropriate timely, and accessible services for emerging and existing behavioral health, mental health, and substance use needs for children and youth ages 0-25.
ODEP’s mission is to develop policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. ODEP’s Autism program provides Autism-specific information and resources for employment supports.
The UCR Autism Goes to College site includes a film, blog, and podcast series for autistic and neurodivergent students to learn about going to college.
The Neurodiversity Project Resource Database is a collaborative effort to create access to resources for the neurodiverse community by the neurodiverse community.
The Campaign for Disability Employment is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). The campaign has resources for disabled job seekers and employees.
The UCSF Disabled Advocate’s Guide to Relationships and Sexuality is for individuals with disabilities to learn about relationships, sexuality, family planning, and health.
The Office of the California Surgeon General hosts resources and information about reproductive health.
Housed at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University, The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities is a collaborative project that aims to support parents with disabilities. They conduct research and provide training and technical assistance to improve the lives of disabled parents and their families.
CalABLE is a savings plan for Californians to save for disability-related expenses.
ICI at the University of Massachusetts Boston supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of society with a focus on education, employment, community life, and healthcare.
Think College is a national initiative dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. Students, families, and educators can use the College Search feature to locate a college or university that includes learners with intellectual disability. The website also features resources for families, information around training and technical assistance, archived webinars, and news about the latest developments in the field of inclusive higher education.
Think Work is the hub for an array of programs related to employment for people with IDD at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Child and Family Resources
The CDC provides information on Autism for families including facts about Autism, developmental milestones, screening and diagnosis, treatments, resource kits, parenting tips, and other resource links. The family page includes the signs and symptoms of autism (en Español) and information and free tools about tracking your child’s developmental milestones (en Español).
This CDC site provides information on milestones for how your child plays, acts, speaks, and learns to track your child’s development so that you can act early if you have concerns. The site has free materials, including a developmental milestone tracker app (en Español) and checklists translated into 11 languages.
Help is in Your Hands is a free series of online video modules designed to teach simple strategies and activities for parents of young children on the Autism spectrum. (en Español)
ADEPT is an interactive, self-paced, online learning module that teaches parents tools for teaching functional skills to their children. The modules are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
FRCNC provides peer support, community and system navigation, trainings and workshops, information, and other assistance to families of children with disabilities. Find your Family Resource Center here: FRC Finder Tool
First 5 California provides a comprehensive system of education, health services, childcare, and other programs for parents, caregivers, and children ages 0 to 5.
FEC assist families of children and youth with disabilities (ages 3-22 years) in navigating services and special education through peer-to-peer support, information, and trainings.
Watch Me Thrive is a collection of resources by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to connect parents and caregivers with tools focused on child development as well as developmental and behavioral screening.
CAPTAIN provides resources for families supporting autistic learners, including videos on navigating service systems (in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).
BrightLife Kids is a CalHOPE program that offers a free mental health support app for parents, caregivers, and children (ages 0-12), featuring live coaching sessions, chat, and on-demand digital resources.
Soluna is a CalHOPE program that offers a free mental health support app for youth and young adults, featuring interactive tools, videos, forums, and 1:1 chat with professional coaches.
Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids is a free series of videos and resources with practical, evidence-based information and skills for parents to address the most common parenting challenges. This program is a partnership between Department of Health Care Services and the Child Mind Institute.
Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids is a free series of evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach children critical mental health and coping skills. This program is a partnership between Department of Health Care Services and the Child Mind Institute.
CDE oversees Special Education services for students with disabilities, including Universal Prekindergarten (UPK). The CDE site also provides resources for parents and families.
SCDD is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency. With SCDD, you can learn about disability advocacy, how to enroll in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) with your regional center and access the Disability Thrive Initiative resource library.
Produced under the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, the Center for Parent Information and Resources serves as a hub of information and products created for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities.
The Department’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) supports projects that provide information and technical assistance about education to families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. The Parents and Families Resource page brings together U.S. Department of Education-funded centers, department programs, and additional information of interest for parents and families.
Housed at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University, Parents Empowering Parents is a collaborative project that aims to support parents with disabilities. They conduct research and provide training and technical assistance to improve the lives of disabled parents and their families.
CalABLE is a savings plan for Californians to save for disability-related expenses.
Mental Health and Wellness
BrightLife Kids is a CalHOPE program that offers a free mental health support app for parents, caregivers, and children (ages 0-12), featuring live coaching sessions, chat, and on-demand digital resources.
Soluna is a CalHOPE program that offers a free mental health support app for youth and young adults, featuring interactive tools, videos, forums, and 1:1 chat with professional coaches.
CalHHS lists hotlines for youth from a variety of backgrounds and communities, as well as free videos, guides, tools, and educational resources for youth, parents, families, and friends. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is an easy to remember three-digit number that anyone can call, text, or chat to receive support when experiencing a mental health or substance-use-related crisis. You can also find Back-to-School mental health resources.
CalHOPE offers mental health and wellness resources for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including the CalHOPE Connect warmline and chat available in multiple languages. CalHOPE also offers the RedLine phone, chat, and video chat resource line for Urban Indian and Tribal individuals.
CYBHI supports behavioral health for California’s children, youth, and their families. Efforts focus on promoting social and emotional well-being, preventing behavioral health challenges, and providing equitable, appropriate, timely, and accessible services for emerging and existing behavioral health, mental health, and substance use needs for children and youth ages 0-25.
First 5 California provides a comprehensive system of education, health services, childcare, and other programs for parents, caregivers, and children ages 0 to 5.
The ACEs Aware Initiative hosts information about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Toxic Stress.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide information on disability and health promotion including resources on inclusion, healthy living, and emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids is a free series of videos and resources with practical, evidence-based information and skills for parents to address the most common parenting challenges. This program is a partnership between Department of Health Care Services and the Child Mind Institute.
Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids is a free series of evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach children critical mental health and coping skills. This program is a partnership between Department of Health Care Services and the Child Mind Institute.
For Professionals
- Training
If you are interested in the Autism Services Branch providing training to your group, please email [email protected].
Help is in Your Hands is a free series of online video modules designed to teach simple strategies and activities for parents of young children on the autism spectrum. The site also hosts a resource center with supplemental information guides and materials for providers.
The ASD Toddler Initiative provides free online modules for professionals to learn how to use evidence-based practices for teaching toddlers (ages 0-3) on the autism spectrum.
AFIRM provides free online training modules for professionals to learn how to implement evidence-based practices for teaching learners on the autism spectrum ages 0-22.
Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids is a free series of videos and resources with practical, evidence-based information and skills for parents to address the most common parenting challenges. This program is a partnership between Department of Health Care Services and the Child Mind Institute.
Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids is a free series of evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach children critical mental health and coping skills. This program is a partnership between Department of Health Care Services and the Child Mind Institute.
CAPTAIN provides resources for families supporting autistic learners, including videos on navigating service systems (in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).
NASDDDS Adaptive Strategies is a free series of videos on mental health interventions and treatments highlighting modifications and adaptations for people with developmental disabilities.
AIM is funded by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and provides free, self-paced modules to help providers understand, identify, plan for, and support individuals with autism in their school, home, community, or organization.
This CDC site provides information on milestones for how your child plays, acts, speaks, and learns to track your child’s development so that you can act early if you have concerns. The site has free materials, including a developmental milestone tracker app (en Español) and checklists translated into 11 languages.
This collection of resources by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services connects providers with tools focused on child development as well as developmental and behavioral screening.
The CDC provides information about Autism, screening and diagnosis, prevalence data and statistics, and free fact sheets, materials, and media.
For more information about autism for providers: Information on Autism Spectrum Disorder for Healthcare Providers
ODEP promotes policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The site includes information for employers of people with disabilities. ODEP’s Autism program provides Autism-specific information and resources for employment supports.
A Mental Health Services Act funded project, Relationships Decoded is a curriculum that teaches people with developmental disabilities how to develop healthy and safe relationships while also giving them information about sexual abuse and coercion. The curriculum supports the use of evidence-based practices and is completely free to teachers, therapists, and other professionals.
ECHO Autism is an interdisciplinary learning network that offers free training and education on autism and intersecting topics like cultural competence, treatment, and co-occurring conditions.
The Office of the California Surgeon General provides a free Safe Spaces training for early care providers, educators, and other care providers to recognize and respond to trauma and stress in children (ages 0-18). The training is provided in English and Spanish.
Funded by the California Department of Education, this program supports educators, administrators, department staff, parent center directors/staff, technical assistance partners, families, and young adults with disabilities. They provide and share professional learning support tools, and parent and professional resources, as well as collaborate with regional, state, and national partners in the areas of family engagement, compliance, improvement monitoring, alternative dispute resolution, early learning, and youth leadership/self-advocacy.
The CDE provides resources that support inclusive policies and practices for early childcare and education.
The CLE Toolkit was developed by the UMass Boston Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) to help service providers develop and improve high-quality supports.
Cal-MAP is a CalHOPE pediatric mental health care access program designed to increase timely access to mental health care for youth throughout California’s communities, especially in the state’s most underserved and rural areas.
Useful Resources
The NIDCD has a checklist of milestones for speech and language development.
CDA administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State.
DHCS offers a variety of different health care related programs and services for individuals and stakeholders. With DHCS, you can learn how to enroll in Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program that provides health care services for low-income individuals and individuals with disabilities. You can also learn about Medi-Cal Dental.
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division (MCAH)
The MCAH Division works to improve the health and well-being of women, infants, children, and adolescents throughout the state.
The WIC Division administers the California WIC program which helps families across the state by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods, and referrals to health care and other community services.
DOR works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.
CDSS features state resources for child welfare programs, cash, food, and childcare service programs, and a variety of state programs for people of all ages.
The NIDCR provides an overview of how specific developmental and mental disabilities may affect those in relation to taking care of their oral health and suggestions for both health care professionals and care providers.
ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. You can learn more on the ADA website.
Data and Transparency
The DDS Annual Report to the Legislature on Autism provides information related to Autism and persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder served by the California Department of Developmental Services.
The CDC tracks data and statistics on Autism prevalence and demographics, and provides regular reports, publications, and a data visualization tool. The CDC funds the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, which collects state and national data on the number and characteristics of individuals with autism. To see a snapshot of Autism in California: ADDM Network Community Report.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Milestones Fact Sheets (Autism, and Developmental Milestones)
The Drexel University A.J. Drexel Autism Institute conducts research on Autism and policy and publishes regular reports including data and statistics related to Autism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click the link to open and view the Frequently Asked Questions document: DDS Autism FAQs