Community Resources
Links to local organizations and information to help people on the spectrum and their support workers, caregivers, and families.
Categories
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Crisis Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical or
mental health emergency, call 911.
24/7 National Suicide & Crisis Hotline
24-hour, toll-free, confidential support for people in distress. Prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Call or text 988.
Lane County Child Crisis Response Team
Youth or caregivers in Lane County can call the crisis response line 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 1-888-989-9990.
The Trevor Project
Call, chat, or text with a counselor trained to support young people with issues like coming out, LGBTQ+ identity, depression, and suicide. Call 1-866-488-7386.
Disability Advice
Supporting a Child with Disabilities: Essential Resources and Advocacy Visit our website for more information.
Basic Needs & Disability Services
Oregon Developmental Disability Services (ODDS)
ODDS provides free help for people with disabilities. Apply for medical, food, cash and child care benefits. Get information in the language or format you need. Call them at 503-945-5811.
211 Info
Get free help with utilities, medical care, mental health, disasters, and other basic needs. Just dial 2-1-1 from any phone or call toll free: 866-698-6155. Language interpreters are available.
Lane County Developmental Disabilities
Determine if you are eligible for disability and apply for disability benefits in Lane County. Download the application online or call 541-682-6564 to have one mailed to you.
Findhelp
Find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Enter your zip to see resources in categories like transit, legal, work, etc.
Guide to Social Security Benefits
A law office provides helpful information about who is eligible for disability and social security benefits (SSI and SSDI), how to apply for them, and what documents you will need.
AbleFind Disability Resources
A Searchable Database for Disability Services in Oregon. Categories include transportation, education, housing, social, food and clothes, and more.
Allies, LLC
Empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing exceptional support services, meaningful classes, social opportunities and a safe environment to thrive.
Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Discounts Guide
Find grants, scholarships, and discounts from private companies and government organizations for everything from travel to technology.
Getting a Diagnosis
Do you suspect you or someone close to you may be on the spectrum? Learn how to seek an evaluation and diagnosis.
Online ASD Diagnostic Tool
The Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-14) is designed to assist in identifying ASD in adults with a verbal IQ of at least 80. While this online tool is not an official diagnosis, it may help you decide if you want pursue one.
Adult Seeking Diagnosis
Understand the steps for seeking a diagnosis of you are over 18. This resource from the Autism Society of Oregon explains the steps for being evaluated by a private practitioner (costs money) or government services (free).
ASO Directory of Providers
See lists of providers who can diagnose children and adults with ASD. There are also autism specialists for vision, hearing, dentistry, and natural health. This resource is from the Autism Society of Oregon.
Psychology Today Directory
Psychology Today's directory of therapists and psychologists is a helpful starting place. The link below shows you private practitioners in Oregon who may do autism assessments. You can also use the filters to search by insurance.
Education and Training
College Options for Students on the Autism Spectrum
This guide from CollegeConsensus provides an overview of what accommodations and environments allow students on the spectrum to thrive in college. Includes a long list of grants, research, and other resources.
Smart Living, Learning, and Earning with Autism
SLLEA serves neurodiverse adults working with them to achieve and maintain meaningful independence and self-sufficiency in their lives. SLLEA focuses on (1) Independent living, (2) Higher education, and (3) Career exploration and meaningful employment.
Autism Behind the Wheel
Learn how to teach teens and young adults with autism to drive. Many teens and young adults with autism are interested in, and capable of, driving. Get tips from determining readiness to taking the test.
The ARC Oregon Training and Consultation
Innovative educational opportunities for professionals, families and people who experience a disability. Get trained on practical skills for working with people with disabilities.
Jobs for and with People on the Spectrum
Career Guide for People With Disabilities
A career blog provides an overview of how to search for a job, write a resume, ace an interview, know your rights under the ADA, and more. See lists of jobs for people with disabilities.
SourceAbled from Rangam Consultants
An autism, neurodiversity, and disability hiring program that works with companies to attract, onboard, support, and retain the qualified talent of people with diverse abilities. Register to connect with job opportunities in businesses seeking to hire people on the spectrum.
Workability
A niche job board that connects neurodiverse, autistic and disabled talent with inclusive employers worldwide. Search by industry, location, company, or see remote jobs that you can do from home.
Impact Oregon
Impact Oregon connects job seekers with jobs in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field. If you strongly believe in issues of equity, social justice and have a passion for working with people of all abilities, then a job in this field may be a great fit!
Physical and Mental Health
Health Coverage through the Oregon Health Plan
The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is Oregon's medical assistance program. It provides health care coverage for people from all walks of life. This includes working families, children, pregnant adults, single adults and seniors. Apply for OHP today.
Nutrition and ASD
An academic review (2021) of myths and research-based facts about autism and nutrition, including food refusal, texture sensitivities, and potential nutritional deficiencies.
Autism & Dental Care
A guide from Dentably. Learn about common tooth and mouth problems people with ASD experience. Get tips for making trips to the dentist more comfortable.
Sensory-Friendly Home Modifications for Autism
This guide covers reasons why you should consider modifying your home if you or someone you live with has ASD, what to evaluate, and potential modifications you can make. If you want to move forward, CNR Construction is a local autism-friendly contractor.
Direction Service
A Eugene, OR organization that offers youth, families, and adults with ASD services such as special education dispute resolution, comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, skill building, individual and family therapy, and group therapy and consultation.
Supporting Children with Autism
ASD Support from the Oregon Dept. of Education
Find the county contact (in Lane call 541-461-8200) to get state services for your child, take an online screening to see if your child might have autism, and access many other resources and tools.
ASO Take a Break Program
Provides parents, foster parents, or legal guardians of children and adults with ASD with gift certificates to local restaurants, passes, tickets to movies, and paid respite care. Call 503-636-1676 or contact ASO online to participate.
Financial Resources for Families of Autistic Kids
In this guide, you will find advice for saving money on medical care and day-to-day expenses, as well as an introduction to programs and funds meant to support families of children with ASD.
Nutrition for Children on the Autism Spectrum
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides an overview of challenges and tips for helping your autistic child get the nutrition they need.
Eye Care for Children with Developmental Disabilities
Learn how the eyes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities may be different and how you can protect your child's vision.
Camp Meadowood Springs
A camp in eastern Oregon for children who have communication difficulties and related disorders, including ASD. In addition to camp, it provides education, training and research in an inclusive environment.
Better Doctor's Visits for Children with ASD
Share this information with your doctors. Doctor visits can be particularly stressful for individuals with ASD due to sensory overstimulation and communication barriers.
Tips for Nurses to Support Children with ASD
Nurses and other healthcare professionals can take steps to support children with autism and build relationships with parents to make medical visits less stressful for everyone involved.
Community & Advocacy
Find community with other people on the spectrum and allies. Learn about autism. Advocate for greater inclusion and support of neurodiversity, ASD, and and developmental disabilities.
Autism Society of Oregon
The Autism Society of Oregon is Oregon’s leading organization providing resources, education, advocacy and support for individuals and families living with autism. Get resources for diagnosis, children with autism, and adults on the spectrum. Mary-Minn Sirag (541-799-4438 / marminns@autismsocietyoregon.org) is a chapter rep for ASO in the Eugene area.
Oregon DD Coalition
Advocates for services on behalf of and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and support organizations in Oregon. Influence systems and legislation by communicating with a common, consistent voice – creating better opportunities for Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Club EMU
Club Everyone, Me and U is a nonprofit social group for neurodivergent individuals. Here at Club EMU, we provide fun activities and social events for people 16 through adult. “Where you can be a friend and make a friend with acceptance, understanding, and kindness”. Offering a safe place to be yourself, build friendships, and help advocate for one another.
Autism History Project
This website by University of Oregon professor Ellen Herman profiles some of the people, topics, and ideas that shaped autism throughout the twentieth century. It also includes a timeline and an archive of sources to illustrate that history.
Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder
OCASD's goal is to help autistic individuals and their families lead rich and fulfilling lives by providing more effective and efficient services and supports. Another goal is to help improve processes and policies in areas that touch the lives of autistic individuals and their families, such as housing and the criminal justice system.
Autismworks Youtube Channel
Bestselling author, and autistic self-advocate Tyler McNamer offers a wide variety of strategies and best practices that will help make autism more workable.
National Assoc. of Councils on Dev. Disabilities
NACDD is the national association for the 56 Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils) across the United States and its territories. The DD Councils receive federal funding to support programs that promote self-determination, integration and inclusion for all people in the United States with developmental disabilities.
ADA National Network
A guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act, including videos, a glossary, and FAQs.