Undefined Birmingham: This is a local nonprofit that helps connect families with resources available to them. Learn more here.

The Red Barn: This is a local equestrian riding facility for children with special needs. My favorite program that I often refer clients to is their Job Skills Program (which is overseen and administered by an Occupational Therapist). Learn more about their programs here. Scholarships are available!

Medicaid Waiver: This is a federal and state program that provides health coverage to some individuals who have limited income and resources. Different from Medicare, this program differs in each individual state and may have different eligibility requirements. See if you're eligible here

SSI aka Supplemental Security Income: This program pays benefits to adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and resources. See about applying here

SSDI aka The Social Security Disability Insurance: This program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you are “insured.” See about applying here

Working and Disability: Many clients worry that working will impact their disability benefits. You can learn more about how collecting disability and working here.

Tax-free saving accounts (ABLE Accounts): With Alabama ABLE, you can contribute up to $18,000 per year (or more if the beneficiary is working) for a wide range of qualified disability expenses and the account’s growth is tax-free. Contributions could qualify for an income deduction on your Alabama State taxes. Account owners can save up to $100,000 before impacting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limits for cash benefits. Other federal means-tested benefits such as Medicaid, housing and food assistance are not impacted by the balance of your ABLE account.  Similarly, ABLE account balances are disregarded for the purpose of determining eligibility to receive, or the amount of, any assistance or benefits from Alabama means-tested programs. See about applying here.

Alabama’s Early Intervention Program: Early Intervention helps guide, train, and equip parents and caregivers on ways they can help their child grow, learn, and participate in everyday activities. EI works with the family as a partner, providing services for infants and toddlers under the age of three who have a developmental delay. Learn more here.

Free Big Red Safety Toolbox (National Autism Association): Great to get for those prone to wandering. Get yours here.

Free Making a Difference for Autism Scholarship (KFM Making a Difference): The nonprofit KFM Making a Difference’s autism scholarship program has given 100 partial scholarships for autistic students for college. Application often becomes available in late June, with the application often due in the Spring. Learn more about applying here.

The Jake Pratt Scholarship Fund: The Jake Pratt Scholarship Fund Sponsored by UPS provides grants to individuals living with Down syndrome who desire and intend to enroll or continue enrollment in a post-secondary program that will enhance their life through employment, independent living or life skills, or interests in any other areas. Learn more about applying here.

Free Autism Toolkit Guides to educate you on the spectrum of autism (Autism Speaks): 40 Free Toolkits to learn more about autism from everything from early intervention (first 100 days after an autism diagnosis), sleep challenges, toilet training, picky-eating, schooling, how to get diagnosed with autism in adulthood, etc. Get yours here.

In addition, Autism Speaks also has an Autism Response Team, which you can contact here if you are ever looking for guidance on any specific questions. They also have a resource database comprising all 50 states. If you know of an autistic adult currently looking for employment opportunities they also have The Spectrum Careers job portal, which they can learn more about here.