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.
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.
This collection of resources covers different topics related to early childhood including information on developmental milestones, signs of autism and resources for families of young children who were recently diagnosed with autism.
Children learn, grow, and develop in unique ways. While some children may develop quicker than others, this may not necessarily be an indicator that something wrong. Each child develops at a different pace. Understanding normal child development can help parents be aware of their child’s progress and monitor for any possible delays. Identifying delays early can be essential in early identification and intervention for autism.
Being aware of the early indicators of autism is important. The earlier a diagnosis of autism is identified, the quicker treatments can begin. When early indicators of autism are present, it is important for parents to be proactive and know where to go for support. There are several steps parents can take to get their child screened and evaluated. The process of diagnosing autism can be stressful and overwhelming, but being aware of what this includes and how the process will go, can help parents feel more comfortable with the process. In addition, being aware of who can diagnosis autism is important to ensure that an accurate assessment takes place.
This resource, developed by ASERT, provides information on the process of screening and diagnosing an individual with autism.
View ResourceThis website provides information on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), which is a free screening tool for autism. This is the tool recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to be used at well child visits, but can also be used by parents, and other professionals working with young children. The website also provides information on scoring the tool, answers frequently asked questions, offers additional resources and provides the tool in multiple languages.
View ResourceThis resource is a locator for each county's government resources including County Assistance Offices, Offices of Vocational Rehabilitation, Intermediate Units, Crisis Intervention, and County MH/ID/EI.
View ResourceWhen a child first gets diagnosed with autism, parents may have a number of questions or concerns. While the process of navigating diagnosis, treatment, and resources may seem overwhelming, knowing the right information can help. There are several recommendations for children newly diagnosed with autism. Being aware of these recommendations and how to go about following them can help parents find the best support for their child.
This link will take you to a page where you can download a free toolkit explaining what parents need to begin learning about after their child's diagnosis of autism.
View ResourceThis is a collection of resources from various sources on the topic of the PA Autism Insurance Act. Topics range from general informational resources for families to filing health insurance appeals and more.
View ResourceThis collection of resources provides information on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) including: an introduction to ABA, how you can tell if your child is receiving ABA services, what to consider when choosing a provider, information on insurance coverage for ABA services and more.
View ResourceThe resource will provide families with information on IBHS and an explanation of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services.
View ResourceAvailable publications (in pdf format) concerning Medicaid and Children are listed below. Also included are useful links to sites with content related to this topic.
View ResourceThis resource helps with understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the ADA, in terms of Early Childhood Learning Centers.
View ResourceThis information sheet from ASERT provides suggestions on how to find a therapist and other service providers as well as important questions to ask to ensure the provider will be the best one for your child.
View ResourceThis information sheet answers questions about Occupational Therapy such as: what it is, what it does, how it can help individuals with autism, and how to find an occupational therapist.
View ResourcePhysical therapy is a form of treatment that is used when individuals experience difficulty moving around and completing everyday tasks. Physical therapy can help people move better and make daily tasks and activities easier. For example, it can help with walking, going up stairs or getting in and out of bed.
View ResourceThis resource, developed by ASERT, provides information about Speech-Language therapy.
View ResourceWhile all children grow and develop in unique ways, some children experience delays in their development. Pennsylvania has an Early Intervention program for children from birth to age five who have developmental delays and disabilities.
View ResourceThrough the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Pennsylvania is helping our children, families, teachers, and communities reach their full potential.
View ResourceChildLink seeks to educate, empower, and increase a family's capacity to support its children in reaching their highest potential.
View ResourceThis resource is a locator for each county's government resources including County Assistance Offices, Offices of Vocational Rehabilitation, Intermediate Units, Crisis Intervention, and County MH/ID/EI.
View ResourceThis information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.