Crisis Services
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
Site: PAAutism
Finding Resources
Supporting an individual with autism to find resources within his or her neighborhood, town, county or broader metropolitan region provides a unique opportunity for you to teach fundamental skills in community living. One method of teaching these skills is to involve the person you support in researching, contacting, and connecting with local and regional resources. By scaffolding network building in gradual steps that consider the individual’s needs and learning process, you can empower him or her to play a more active role in shaping his community involvement. Below is a helpful planning tool to get you started. Try to complete as many steps as possible with the person you support.
Read moreFuture Planning
This resource, developed by ASERT, provides information on direct support staff on how they can support individuals with autism to plan for their futures.
Read moreGesturing: Social Story
This resource visually explains Gesturing, which is using movements to help improve mood.
Read moreGetting Accommodations at Work
This resource developed by ASERT provides information and tips on how to get accommodations at work through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Read moreGoing Back Into the Community Social Story
This resource provides a visual guide for individuals with autism about going back out into the community after the COVID-19 pandemic. The resource includes information about how to feel safe going back out and includes an animated version. This resource has also been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese.
Read moreGoing Grocery Shopping Social Story
This social story developed by ASERT explains what to do when going grocery shopping.
Read moreGoing Into the Community: Self-Advocates
This resource provides information for self-advocates about going out into the community as the state moves forward from stay at home orders related to COVID-19.
Read moreGoing to a Restaurant Social Story
This social story developed by ASERT explains what to do when you go to a restaurant.
Read moreGrants and Funding Streams
Autism can be an expensive condition to support. There are doctor appointments, therapies, respite care, after school programming, assistive technology, and safety concerns, just to name a few. Insurance may not cover all the expenses that are recommended for autism services, resulting in high out-of-pocket expenses. In order to assist in covering expenses, families should research and apply for formal government financial resources as well as more informal sources of support through churches, schools, and service clubs. The ASERT Resource Center is also a great resource for information about new programs and funding sources!
Read moreGrounding: Social Story
This resource provides a visual explanation of Grounding, which is paying attention to the environment to help improve emotions and stay calm.
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