Local Community Resources

Autism Society of Alabama- The Autism Society of Alabama (ASA) responds daily to requests for information. 1-877-4AUTISM. Parent Support-ASA has support groups to address a variety of issues. Monthly meetings in a variety of settings throughout the state provide support and information, guest speakers, informative topics, and question and answer sessions. Lending Library- ASA has over 400 books and media on autism spectrum disorders that are available to our members. Items can be checked out through the office at 4217 Dolly Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35243. If you have books on autism that you are willing to donate or for info on our lending library, please call 1-877-4AUTISM. ASA collaborates with various state and local agencies to increase awareness in the community, schools, and in the medical and professional arenas to promote education, understanding, resources, and to encourage the early diagnosis of autism.

RehabWorks 4 Kids- a service of East Alabama Medical Center. We offer pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapies to children 0-18 yrs of age with a variety of diagnoses including: cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, receptive-expressive language delays/disorders, feeding/swallowing disorders, sensory integration disorders, torticollis, augmentative communication needs, & referrals to other community resources. Other services include: Social skills group: meets weekly for 6 weeks for children aged 4-6, 7-9 who struggle with social interactions in a variety of environments. Role play, games, creative activities are used in teaching these skills. For more info contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Playgroup for children with special needs 0-3yrs of age: meets weekly 9:30-11:00am for circle time/songs, art and crafts, snack, and time for parents to connect with other parents of children with special needs. Parents must remain on-site and assist during playgroup. For more info contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Little Tree Preschool- 421 Opelika Rd., Auburn, (334)826-1847; Program Director: Kim Smith, M.S., BCBA; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.learning-tree.org/preschools.html; The Little Tree Preschool’s mission is focused on improving the services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities throughout Alabama. This is achieved by providing intensive, behavioral intervention (also known as ABA/Applied Behavior Analysis) in a setting with typically developing children serving as peer models. In addition to training students, The Little Tree Preschool offers an intensive training sequence for public school teachers in assessment, behavior management techniques, empirically validated teaching procedures, data collection and tracking progress. We support parents by providing weekly parent training and assistance dealing with issues in the home. Licensed by the Department of Human Resources and are approved to house 18 children in our classrooms, 9 typically developing children and 9 children with ASD or developmental delay. Classes Monday-Friday; 7:45 am- 3:00pm.

• All for Children - 2290 Moores Mill Road, Suite 400, Auburn. (334)209-2009; www.allforchildren.com; private practice providing the children of this area quality speech, language and literacy intervention.

• American Cancer Society- Relay For Life of Lee County- www.relayforlife.org/leeal
Support Groups-Bossum Buddies:EAMC Health Resource Center – Opelika; (334)288-3432
Caregiver Support: 8:30 am – 10:00am;Oak Park Dining Room,1365 Gatewood Drive, Auburn.3rd Thursday of the Month. For more information or to reserve your spot, contact: Cheri Rudgers (334)826-1899.
TOUCH (Today Our Understanding of Cancer is Hope)- This general cancer support group is for survivors and their family and caregivers.East Alabama Health Resource Center - Opelika (334)288-3432
I Can Cope- EAMC Health Resource Center – Opelika; (334)288-3432. General cancer educational program for recently diagnosed cancer patients.
Look Good…Feel Better- (334)288-3432. Free program conducted by cosmetologists to improve appearance related side effects of cancer. Sessions conducted as cancer patients request services and as cosmetologists are available. Session dates: September 16, November 18, & January 20. Registration required.
American Cancer Society -Montgomery- 3054 McGehee Rd, Montgomery (334)288-3432.Offers free wigs, turbans, and hats to cancer patients. Appointments are not necessary.

• Auburn University- The Auburn University Autism Center was established in August 2003 with the vision of providing much needed services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder, their families, schools, and other agencies whose goal is to optimize the potential of individuals with autism. This vision translates into a model demonstration site for best practice; diagnostic services for children with autism spectrum disorder; training for families, teachers, and related professionals; outreach consultation; and research opportunities relative to effective intervention strategies. www.auburn.edu/autismcenter; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Autism Center provides: a model demonstration site for best practice education of persons with autism spectrum disorder,
diagnostic services for children with autism spectrum disorder, outreach consultation services for families, schools and agencies that serve people with autism spectrum disorder, training for families, teachers and related professionals, and research opportunities relative to effective intervention strategies for people with autism spectrum disorder.
The Summer Learning Clinic is an intensive four-week program that the Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education offers for students with mild learning problems, learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties and/or autism spectrum disorders. Since 1990, over 2,900 such students have received individually designed tutorial instruction through this outreach program. Instruction for students ages 6-13 is offered in reading, math, and language arts, with emphasis on areas of concern for individual students. Instruction in social skills is also offered for children with behavior deficits. For students ages 14-21, instruction is provided in important life-centered areas, such as functional reading and math skills, independent living skills, and self-advocacy skills.
Speech and Hearing Clinic- Haley Center (334) 844-9600. Offers screening tests for the general public free of charge each semester. The clinic performs audiological and speech-language evaluations, aural rehabilitation support and other clinical services for children and adults. Speech and language assessments related to language/speech delay, developmental delay, autism, cleft palate, stuttering, voice disorders, feeding/swallowing, and literacy. Auditory treatments include hearing aid selection and dispensing, assistive listening devices, and auditory rehabilitation. Support groups in our area: Auburn/Opelika Parkinson Disease Support Group: Dan Phillips, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (334) 844-9631. Rebounders Stroke Support Group: Laura Willis, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (334) 844-9529. Stuttering Awareness Group: Embry Burrus, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (334) 844-9689
Motor Behavior Lab- in the Department of Health and Human Performance provides a motor development program for kindergarten children with low motor proficiency. (334) 844-4483

The Center for Disability Research and Service- Dawson Building, Auburn University Campus. offering additional resources to improve the lives of Alabama citizens with significant disabilities. Housed in the Dawson Building, the center is an extension of the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology in the College of Education and will focus on developing initiatives in autism and developmental disabilities, assistive technology, program evaluation and employment and community support. Research relating to autism spectrum disorder will expand on the work previously conducted by the Auburn University Autism Center, which has been absorbed by the new center. In addition, the new center will collaborate on projects with the Auburn Transition Leadership Institute, which provides support to youths with disabilities by providing continuous improvement resources to assist with their transition to adulthood.

• Cast Ministries.org - Auburn, Al. (334)332-8411 and (334)821-1000. Amputee Support- If you or someone you love has suffered a loss of limb, we invite you to join our “team” as we learn to turn our weaknesses into our strengths. The Christian Amputee Support Team is committed to: “pursuing abundant life for amputees through the love of Christ.”

• Easter Seals Alabama - consists of eight community rehabilitation program sites and the world’s largest barrier free recreational camp Camp ASCCA. Easter Seals Alabama services include: Medical Rehabilitation, Early Intervention, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Hearing Therapy, Job Training and Employment, Child Care & Camping and Recreation.
Opelika, Al.- Easter Seals Achievement Center- 510 W Thomason Circle, Opelika, Alabama 36801; (334) 745-3501
Jackson’s Gap- Camp ASCCA Easter Seals- 5278 Camp ASCCA Drive, Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861; (256)825-9226 or 800-843-2267. A special place where campers with disabilities have the opportunity to express their individuality and independence within a carefully supervised setting. Their families also are provided with a chance to relax in the knowledge that over thirty years of experience goes into providing a safe environment where fun can be had by all. The activities offered at Camp ASCCA include horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, repelling, zip-line, water tubing, archery and rifle range, mini-golf course, paved nature trails, and more. www.campascca.org
Montgomery- Easter Seals Central Alabama- 2125 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, AL 36116; (334)288-0240

• H.A.P.I.E.- Helping Auburn Parents -Intervening Early- 721 East University Drive, Auburn. 887-4950. A preschool program designed to deliver special education services to ages 3-5 years. Two playgroups offered: Morning Group- Monday-Thursday 7:45-10:15am and Afternoon Group- Monday-Friday 10:30am-1:30pm. For a child that is determined eligible (according to the Alabama Administrative Code-for Special Education), services are provided at no cost to the family, if the child receives these services as part of their specifically designed instruction. Peer Models are children that participate in the program without an Individualized Education Plan and provide appropriate behavior, play and language skills as a model in the learning process. Monthly fee for peer models.

• Hospice of East Alabama Medical Center- 665 Opelika Road, Auburn, AL. (334) 826-1899; 1-800-303-4677
Hospice treats the whole person instead of the disease. Its focus is on the family as well as the individual. Hospice emphasizes quality of life rather than duration. The patient’s pain is treated aggressively, and suffering is recognized and dealt with by members of the interdisciplinary team. The patient’s final wishes are attended to, and efforts are made to allow terminally ill patients and their families to remain together in peace, comfort, and dignity as they experience the end of life. Hospice services extend to any location: a home, the hospital, an assisted living facility, Bethany House, or a nursing home. Our goal at Hospice of EAMC is to help our patients live fully by managing pain and symptoms so that their days are filled with more joy and comfort. We seek to provide patients and their families with physical, emotional, social and spiritual support throughout their journey. Hospice of EAMC now serves parts of eight counties within a 50-mile radius of its office in Auburn, AL. Hospice of EAMC is the only area hospice linked directly with the services and support of East Alabama Medical Center. We can offer seamless transitioning of patients from inpatient care to their own homes or to a nursing home if needed.

• March of Dimes Alabama Chapter- Birmingham, Al. (205) 824-0103; www.marchofdimes.com;
Central Division in Montgomery, Al. (334) 277-6910.

• Storybook Farms- 300 Cusseta Road - Opelika, AL 36801 - (334) 444-5966. www.story-book-farms.org ; The year-round equine assisted activities are tailored to serve children ages 2 years to young adults who are challenged with life-threatening illnesses, disabilities, mental and/or emotional trauma, and grief. The gentle nature of our horses provides hope and healing. In addition to our “hope on horseback” riding programs, Storybook Farm also provides weekly Enrichment Classes for local school system’s inclusive special education classes, “Forever Families” quarterly events for families created by adoption or fostering, as well as annual events such as Easter Eggstravaganza, SBF Horse Show, Fall Festival, and the Christmas Celebration.

• The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind- Serving Lee County and the surrounding area. Missy Byrd 334-262-0824. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Alabama School for the Blind- 705 South Street East, Talladega, Al.(256) 761-3260
Alabama School for the Deaf- 205 South Street East, Talladega, Al. (256) 761-3278
Hellen Keller School of Alabama- 1101 Fort Lashley Avenue, Talladega, Al. (256) 761-3377
The Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Program- Talladega, Alabama has a covered indoor arena and a 3/4 mile Sensory Trail for students from preschool age to middle age for both therapeutic and recreational riding year round. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• The East Alabama Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board, Inc.: Family and Children’s Services-2300 Center Hills Dr., Building II; Opelika, AL 36801; (334) 742-2112. A public non-profit corporation established in 1967. The Center is a comprehensive community mental health center that provides a continuum of services for persons with a serious emotional disturbance, developmental delay, mental illness, mental retardation, and/or substance abuse problem. Prevention, consultation, and education are important aspects of the Center’s service delivery system. Services are provided to persons living or working in Lee, Russell, Chambers, and Tallapoosa Counties and are prioritized to serve the most severely disabled and those least able to afford services.
CHINS Intervention Program-The Center provides a range of services for children residing in Lee County who have been, or are at risk of being adjudicated CHINS (Child in Need of Supervision). These children display behavior problems such as truancy, breaking curfew, and refusing to follow the rules at school and at home.

ABC Child Development Center- The ABC (Actively Believing in Children) Child Development Center provides intensive services for toddlers and preschool children with autism or pervasive developmental disorders in an integrated child care setting.
Godparent Project -The Godparent Project provides parenting education, life skills training, and referral to community resources for pregnant and parenting adolescents.

Special Deliveries-The Special Deliveries program provides parent education, support, and referral services for families of infants and toddlers. The program
also provides intensive in-home family support services for at risk families of children ages 0 to 5.

Other programs-Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Parent Power, In-School Programs, After-School and Summer Alternative Programs, Family Strengthening Programs, Mommy and Me, & ACATA: Alliance Counteracting Alcohol and Tobacco Advertising.

Next:Recreation and Social Events

Recreation and Social Events

Shining Knights Cheer Team-Premier Spirit Academy and Auburn Parks and Recreation are proud to sponsor the Shining Knights Cheer Team. Formed in 2006 and formerly known as the Shining Stars, the Shining Knights are a competitive cheerleading team consisting of intellectually challenged girls and boys, ages 8 and up, who are physically functional. The cheerleaders compete against other special needs teams from around the country. There are currently more than 65 special needs teams in 23 states. The Shining Knights practice each Wednesday from 5:00-6:00p.m., beginning Wednesday, August 18. If this sounds like something your athlete would enjoy, please contact Frank Baugh at 821-7300 or Alison Hall at 501-2930 for more information. Best Buddies Game Night- Tuesday, October 19; 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Dean Road Recreation Center, Auburn. Join us for a night full of games, pizza, friendship and fun! Cosponsored by the AU Chapter of Best Buddies, game night will feature bingo and prizes, Uno, Checkers, and much, much more. We will provide pizza, drinks and snacks. Alison Hall 501-2930. Fee: Free to the public; however, you must pre-register with Kaitlyn Croughwell, President of Best Buddies- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text7981 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Basketball: Practice and enjoy organized games. Beginning September 29. Time: 11:15 - 12:15 p.m. No fee. Contact David Scott with Opelika Parks and Recreation; Covington Center, 705-5550

• Camp Newhope & Camp Newsong- (205)877-2224; www.alfoundationforoncology.org/campnewsong.php; A free program open to all grieving children in Alabama. Camp sessions are held at the YMCA Hargis Retreat in Chelsea, Alabama for children ages 6-18.

• Camp Sugar Falls & Camp Seale Harris- (205)402-0415; www.southeasterndiabetes.org. provides our kids with the chance to learn about effective diabetes management, while at the same time allowing them to interact with other children living with this same illness.

• Camp Smile-a-Mile-1-888-500-7920; www.campsam.org; Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin, Al. Year round challenging, recreational and educational experiences for young cancer patients, their families as well as young adult survivors from Alabama at no cost. Our purpose is to provide these patients, families and survivors with avenues for fellowship, to help them cope with their disease, and to prepare them for life after cancer.

• Easter Seals Camp ASSCA- (256)825-9226; www.campascca.org. Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults. ASCCA is a nationally recognized leader in therapeutic recreation for children and adults with both physical and mental disabilities. Providing weekend and week long sessions- open year-round. Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, offers campers a wide variety of recreational and educational activities. Activities include horseback riding, fishing, tubing, swimming, environmental education, arts and crafts, canoeing, a “splash pad”, outdoor adventure elements like the zip-line, and much more.

• Lakeshore Foundation- (205) 313-7400; www.lakeshore.org; Offers a wide range of fitness, recreation, athletic and education programs to children and adults who experience diagnostic conditions including spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, amputation, and visual impairment.

Alabama Resources

• Special Education Services-Alabama Department of Education- Montgomery, Al. (800) 392-8020; www.alsde.edu/

• Governor’s Office on Disabilities- Montgomery , AL. (334) 353-0353 or (888) 879-3582

• Alabama’s Early Intervention System: Birth through 2- Department of Rehabilitation Services/ Division of Early Intervention- Montgomery, Al. (800) 543-3098; www.rehab.alabama.gov/ei

• Children with Disabilities: Ages 3 through 5- Contact Special Education. Transition Services/ Special Education Services -Alabama State Department of Education- Montgomery, AL; (334) 242-8114 ; www.alsde.edu

• Mental Health Rep. for Children/Youth- Office of Children’s Services/ Alabama Department of Mental Health-Montgomery, AL. (334) 353-7110; www.mh.alabama.gov

• Developmental Disabilities -Alabama Department of Mental Health-Montgomery, Al. (334) 242-3107 or (334) 242-3701; www.mh.alabama.gov/

• Developmental Disabilities Council-Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities -Montgomery, AL .(800) 232-2158; http://acdd.org

• Vocational Rehabilitation-Department of Rehabilitation Services- Montgomery, Al. (334) 281-8780; www.rehab.alabama.gov/vrs.

• Career & Technical Education - Alabama State Department of Education- Montgomery, AL; (334) 242-9111; www.alsde.edu/

• Protection and Advocacy- Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP)-The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL. (800) 826-1675 ; www.adap.net

• Special Health Care Needs - Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services/ Children’s Rehabilitation Service- Montgomery , AL; (800) 441-7607 ; www.rehab.alabama.gov/crs

• Blind or Visually Impaired, Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind- www.AIDB.org
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind- Mobile , AL;
(251) 432-7777
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services-Montgomery, AL; (334) 281-8780

• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association- is committed to ensuring that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders receive services to help them communicate effectively. http://www.asha.org/public/

• ADA Center- Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. (334) 613-3471 (Montgomery office); (205) 290-4540 (Birmingham office); (800) 205-9986 (Alabama’s Toll Free Hotline for ADA Information); www.rehab.state.al.us/ada
DBTAC - Southeast ADA Center; 1419 Mayson Street, Atlanta, GA 30324; (800) 949-4232; www.sedbtac.org

• Technology- STAR (Statewide Technology Access and Response for Alabamians with Disabilities)-Montgomery, AL; (800) 782-7656 ; www.rehab.alabama.gov/star

• Special Format Library- Alabama Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. 6030 Monticello Drive , Montgomery, AL 36130-6000; (800) 392-5671; http://statelibrary.alabama.gov/

• University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities- Civitan International Research Center-University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham, AL 35294-0021; (800) 822-2472; www.circ.uab.edu
• Respite Care- is temporary short-term relief for caregivers of individuals with special needs such as: developmental and physical disabilities or other chronic illnesses that are related to health concerns, medical fragility, or for those at risk of abuse and neglect. Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network-Anniston, AL; (256-237-3683) http://alabamarespite.org
Birmingham, Al. (205)991-0927; 1-866-RESTALA ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Disability-Specific
Organizations

• Attention Deficit Disorder-To identify an ADD group in your state or locality, contact either: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). (800) 233-4050 (Voice mail to request information packet); www.chadd.org

• Autism- Autism Society of Alabama- 4217 Dolly Ridge Road; Birmingham, AL 35243; (877) 4-AUTISM; (205) 951-1364; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.autism-alabama.org

• Cerebral Palsy- United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham- (800) 654-4483; www.ucpbham.com

• Downs Syndrome- Down Syndrome Alabama- Birmingham; (205)988-0810; www.downsyndromealabama.org

• Epilepsy- Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama- Mobile, AL.- (800) 626-1582; www.epilepsyfoundation.org/

• Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities- The Arc of Alabama, Inc., Montgomery, AL (866) 243-9557 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.thearcofalabama.com

• Mental Health- NAMI Alabama-Montgomery, AL. (800) 626-4199; www.namialabama.org

• Speech and Hearing- Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama; (256) 325-8885; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.alabamashaa.org

• Tourette Syndrome-Tourette Syndrome Association Mid-South Regional Office-Auburn, AL .(334) 502-0055; http://tsa-usa.org/TSANatlLocal/Chapters/Midsouth.htm

• Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)- (800) 939-1019; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.add.org

• Blind/Visual Impairments- American Foundation for the Blind- (800) 232-5463; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.afb.org

• United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile, Inc.- Mobile, AL. (888) 630-7102; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.ucp.org/ucp_local.cfm/160

• Head Injury-Alabama Head Injury Foundation- Hoover, AL. (800) 433-8002 ; www.ahif.org

• Learning Disabilities-Learning Disabilities Association of Alabama-Montgomery, AL. (334) 277-9151; www.ldaal.org

• Spina Bifida- Spina Bifida Association of Alabama- Madison, Al. (256) 325-8600; www.sbaofal.org

Organizations for
Parents

• Parent to Parent USA- provide emotional and informational support to families of children who have special needs most notably by matching parents seeking support with an experienced, trained ‘Support Parent’. www.p2pusa.org

• Parent Training and Information Center / Early Intervention Family Alliance- Alabama Parent Education Center (APEC)- Wetumpka, AL. (866) 532-7660 www.alabamaparentcenter.com.

• Partners in Policymaking-Partners in Policymaking of Alabama- Montgomery, AL. (800) 846-3735; http://acdd.org

• The Epilepsy Foundation Parents Website- www.epilepsyandmychild.org/

• FighterMom™-is a program for any mom who not only cares for a child with a demanding disease or health condition, but who wants to get organized to defeat that condition by raising money, winning publicity, working with researchers, and making her case in Washington. www.fightermom.org

• Family Voices of Alabama- encourage families to develop individual partnerships with their children’s care providers, and to look for opportunities to impact systems change by working collaboratively with the many agencies in the state that care about services for children and youth with special needs. Susan Colburn (334) 293-7041; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.familyvoices.org

• Exceptional Parent Magazine- www.eparent.com; Publishes monthly magazine for parents of children with disabilities and professionals providing services to children and families.

• The Sibling Support Project- a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns. www.siblingsupport.org