It is important to also keep in mind that the right tools, strategies and resources can significantly improve one’s learning success, too, especially when reading and learning can be difficult for someone with autism, ADHD, dyslexia or other issues. If you or someone you know is challenged with an ASD, however, the significance of those tools, strategies and resources may be even more important in efforts to improve the quality of life. You may already know about physical and digital tools that effectively help challenged, unfocused readers with autism and sensory issues. A FREE list of reading and learning strategies to help persons of any age with autism (and other issues, too) can be found here.
For this article, we wanted to address the third component---resources that can actually help to EMPOWER children and adults with autism to become more confident, more socially interactive and better able to overcome their obstacles. In our efforts to write this article, we have received the assistance of Ms. Kathleen Carter, a high-school student with autism who has been a volunteer-intern-extraordinaire at EducatorLabs. She assisted the organization with its research and outreach activities.
Ms. Carter kindly provided the first six empowering resources in our list included here. We want to thank her for these good resources for autism. We have added a few more links to the list and hope that because of our combined efforts, these resources may help you or others you know in the autism community to feel empowered to become more confident, more comfortable in social situations and more independent in overcoming the challenges of autism---each and every day!
Empowering Resources for Persons with Autism
1. Autism Speaks Resource Guide
http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-guide
2. Career Assistance for People with Autism
http://www.hloom.com/career-assistance-for-people-with-autism/
3. National Center for Autism Resources & Education
https://www.nationalautismresources.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand&utm_term=%2Bnational%20%2Bautism%20%2Bresources&utm_content=Trademark%20-%20Brand
4. AutismNOW Transition Planning
http://autismnow.org/in-the-classroom/transition-planning-for-students/
5. Aquatic Therapy for Children with Autism
http://www.saveonpoolsupplies.com/landing/aquatic-therapy-for-children-with-autism.aspx
6. Autism Services
http://healthfinder.gov/FindServices/SearchContext.aspx?topic=81
7. Equine Therapy Programs for Children with Autism
https://www.equestriantherapy.com/equine-therapy-children-aspergers-autism/
8. Autism Resources from Easter Seals
http://www.easterseals.com/explore-resources/living-with-autism/autism-resources.html
9. Family Grant Opportunities (for Therapy, Assistive Technology, etc.)
https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library/family-grant-opportunities
10. Resources - Solutions to Problems in the Autism Community-US Autism & Asperger Association
http://www.usautism.org/resources.html
11. BEST Apps for Sensory Processing Issues (iPad, Android and Desktop Apps)
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2015/04/best-apps-for-sensory-processing-issues.html
12. BEST Apps for Autism(iPad, Android and Desktop Apps)
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2015/01/best-apps-for-autism-2015.html
13. NEW Reading Focus Cards App for Windows 10 PCs (via Windows Store)
https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9WZDNCRDF33D
14. NEW Reading Focus Cards App for Windows XP, 7, 8 & 10 PCs (via Gumroad.com)
Click on drop down to version preferred.
https://gumroad.com/l/ReadingFocusCards
15. Physical Reading Focus Cards Tools for Challenged Readers
(For Reading Actual Books & Documents)
http://www.focusandread.com/products
For more information on customizable tools for challenged readers with autism:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897
Image courtesy of: Brennan Innovators, LLC: www.FocusandRead.com and Pixabay: https://pixabay.com
