Diagnosis Services
- Your Pediatrician – Your pediatrician can make an initial diagnosis and/or provide a recommendation for a complete diagnosis.
- Semo Autism Center (Part of Southeast Missouri State) – You can schedule an appointment for testing to see whether your child has autism. – Located in Cape Girardeau, MO.
- Thompson Center For Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders (University Of Missouri) – Located In Columbia, MO
- Knights of Columbus Developmental Center – Provides screening and treatment guidelines for autism spectrum disorders. Located in St. Louis.
Service Providers
- Department of Mental Health. You can locate your regional office here. For Southeast Missouri, your regional offices are in Sikeston, with a satellite office in Poplar Bluff. You’ll be assigned a caseworker, who can help you locate services (such as applied behavior analysis therapy) in your area.
- Easterseals Midwest – If your child has an autism diagnosis, Easterseals can provide services such as applied behavior analysis therapy, music therapy, respite, and more.
- Autism Response Team (ART) – Part of Autism Speaks. Can help you locate services and support in your area.
- Autism Society – Can connect you with local services and provide general support. Call 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476) to speak with trained Information & Referral (I&R) Specialists.
- Thompson Center For Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders (University Of Missouri) – Located In Columbia, MO. Provides services ranging from occupational therapy to family services.
- Judevine® Center for Autism – Offices in St. Louis, Kirksville Joplin Hannibal Jefferson CountySpringfield. Support for families and individuals with autism. Provides behavior therapy, social skills training, supported employment, and more.
School & Education Support
- Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) – National laws that ensure children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free and appropriate public education.
- Missouri’s Parent Training and Information Center (MPACT) – Assists parents with topics related to special education in schools (e.g. Individualized Education Programs or 504s). Can provide assistance and in-person support.
- Easterseals Midwest – When you’re a client, your caseworker can provide assistance with issues related to school.
- A Day In Our Shoes website & Facebook Group – This is a very supportive community that can answer most of your IEP questions. Members are parents or guardians of special needs or medically fragile students, teachers, advocates, and more .
General Support & Inspiration
- Autism Speaks – From their website: “Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.”
- Autism POV Podcast – produced by Autism Speaks. Discusses topics related to the autism to inspire and support the community and with the goal of making society a more understanding and accepting place for people on the spectrum.