Understanding Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
What is Neurodiversity?
There are a lot of different terms related to neurodiversity. This resource guide defines some key terms and provides some useful tips and resources about autistic culture.
Avoid Ableist Language
Potentially Ableist Terms/ Discourses and Suggested Alternatives
Bookclub – We’re Not Broken
We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation by Eric Garcia is about the author’s journey with autism and how society views individuals with autism.
Book Club- I will Die on this Hill
There is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. This book unites both perspectives, exploring the rift between these communities and encouraging them to work towards a common goal.
Autism & Epilepsy
There are common genetic factors associated with both autism and epilepsy. This guide provides information around autism and epilepsy and outlines steps for how to support someone who is having a seizure.
Supporting Social Skills
The DNEA Supporting Social Skills guide highlights many effective practices to support autistic youth who want to engage more with their peers:
Autism and Mental Health
Trauma and Youth with Autism
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic experiences in childhood, such as witnessing violence in the home, experiencing neglect, or having a family member with a mental illness.
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Creative CBT: Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that can help youth manage anxiety by changing the way they think and behave.
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Neurodiversity-Affirming Autism Evaluation
An autism evaluation typically includes a discussion about challenges faced by the person and their family. This guide will provide professionals with strategies to discuss these issues in a more sensitive, non-judgmental fashion.
Introductory Evidence-Based Practices
Response Prompts
Prompting is an evidence-based practice that involves providing a child support when they are learning a new skill or behavior. There are two categories of instructional prompts: response prompts and stimulus prompts. Response prompts are delivered by an adult.
Stimulus Prompts
Prompting is an evidence-based practice that involves providing a child support when they are learning a new skill or behavior. There are two categories of instructional prompts: response prompts and stimulus prompts. Stimulus prompts are changes that are made to materials.
Social Narratives
Social narratives are short stories that use concrete text, photos, or drawings to explain situations or skills that may be confusing to the individual.
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Reinforcement
Reinforcement is an evidence-based practice used to increase the likelihood of a behavior or skill occurring again.
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Visual Supports
Visual schedules represent upcoming activities through the use of sequenced objects, photos, pictures, and/or text. They are a visual support that create structure and establish expectations.
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Parent/Caregiver Training
Parent/Caregiver training programs describe a wide range of interventions, including care coordination, psychoeducation, language or social development treatments, and strategies designed to address maladaptive behaviors.
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Discipline- and Content-Specific Evidence-Based Practices
Supported Decision- Making
Supported decision-making (SDM) allows people with disabilities to get the help they may need to make choices about their personal lives, healthcare, and/or finances.
Understanding Supported Decision-Making in Delaware: A Guide for Community Members
This resource guide is tailored to professionals in diverse sectors, including banks, medical institutions, offices, and agencies.
Resource for Teaching Human Sexuality
Many people with disabilities do not receive adequate sex education.
Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching a New Skill
These tutorials can be used to to help a professional or family member teach a person with autism a new skill or task. They highlight evidence-based instructional practices that can be used to teach new skills across multiple home and professional settings.
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Most-to-Least Prompting
Most-to-Least Prompting is an evidence-based prompting strategy that systematically provides predetermined prompts from most to least intrusive by systematically fading them over time.
Least-to-Most Prompting
Least-to-Most Prompting is an evidence-based prompting strategy that systematically provides predetermined prompts from least to most intrusive.
Prompting and Task Analysis Glossary
This glossary is designed to support the community in understanding terms commonly associated with these practices.
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Family Resources
Holiday
While holidays are a time of joy and celebration, they can also be difficult for youth with autism spectrum disorder. The purpose of this guide is to provide strategies to help de-stress during the busy holiday season.
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Early Childhood Resources
1- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or autism, is a disability that is often present early in life and can affect multiple aspects of a child’s development.
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2-Concerns for Autism
You know your child best. If you have concerns about your child’s development, don’t wait to take action! There are many professionals and organizations in Delaware who you can contact for support.
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3 – Early Childhood Intervention System
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA is a U.S. law that requires free appropriate public education (FAPE), special education and related services are made available to eligible children with disabilities from birth through age 21.
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4 – Developmental & Autism Evaluations
The goal of the evaluation process is to identify your child’s strengths and areas of need. The evaluation team will offer resources and services to support your child and family.
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5 – Early Intervention Services
Early intervention refers to the supports and services designed to enhance the development of infants, toddlers and young children with developmental delays and disabilities.
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6 – Interventions for Autism
There are many interventions to support your child with autism throughout his/her life. However, some have been shown to be more effective than others. Evidence-based practices are interventions that are supported by multiple scientific research studies and have shown to have a positive impact for children with autism.
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7- Resources and Support in Delaware
This guide provides information on resources and support in Delaware.
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