Resources and plain-language glossary

National starting points, then the acronyms you'll hit in your first month.

National organisations

CDC — Autism

Screening milestones, prevalence data and a free milestone tracker app. Much of it is available in Spanish.

cdc.gov/autism

Center for Parent Information and Resources

Find your state's free Parent Training and Information Center. Many materials are published in Spanish.

Find your parent center

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

Run by and for autistic people. Their guide for newly diagnosed families is worth reading early.

autisticadvocacy.org

Autism Society of America

Local affiliates across the country and a national helpline.

autismsociety.org

AUCD

Directory of university centres on disability, which often run low-cost evaluation and family clinics.

aucd.org

211

Dial 211 anywhere in the US for local services — respite, food, utilities, crisis support. Interpreters available.

211.org

This draft links to national bodies only. Before publishing, add vetted state and local organisations — including groups serving specific language communities — and note that this site is general information, not medical or legal advice.

Your language rights, briefly

  • Schools must communicate with parents in a language they understand, including interpretation at IEP meetings and translation of key documents. This comes from federal civil rights law, not district goodwill.
  • Early intervention must provide evaluations and the IFSP process in your native language where feasible.
  • Healthcare providers and insurers receiving federal funds must offer free language assistance.
  • You should not be asked to use your child, another child, or an untrained relative as the interpreter.
  • If you're refused, ask for the refusal in writing and contact your state's Protection & Advocacy agency or the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

Glossary

ASD

Autism spectrum disorder — the current diagnostic term.

IDEA

The federal law guaranteeing special education. Part C covers birth to 3; Part B covers 3 to 21.

IEP

Individualized Education Program — a legally binding school plan with services and goals.

504 plan

Accommodations under civil rights law for students who don't need specialised instruction.

FAPE

Free appropriate public education — the standard a school must meet.

LRE

Least restrictive environment — the requirement to educate your child with non-disabled peers as much as appropriate.

IFSP

Individualized Family Service Plan — the early intervention equivalent of an IEP.

HCBS waiver

Medicaid funding for support at home instead of in an institution. The main source of long-term help.

AAC

Augmentative and alternative communication — devices, apps, pictures or sign.

BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst — supervises ABA programmes.

SLP / OT

Speech-language pathologist; occupational therapist.

IEE

Independent educational evaluation — an outside assessment you can request at district expense if you disagree with the school's.

Stimming

Self-stimulatory movement or sound that regulates the nervous system.

Masking

Suppressing autistic traits to fit in, at a real cost.

Elopement

Wandering or running from a safe place. A major safety issue.

Echolalia

Repeating words or phrases — often meaningful communication, not empty repetition.