Autism Resource Guide

The DC Autism Collaborative (DC-AC) is a multidisciplinary, public-private coalition of professionals, community leaders and parents whose goal is to strategically address barriers to autism care and advocate for solutions that will increase early and equitable access to high-quality autism diagnosis, treatment and coordinated care. The education, outreach and engagement subgroup identifies and strengthens education and outreach efforts related to autism for families and care providers.

Our Goal

Create a relevant, useful and current toolkit/resource guide for Washington, D.C. families and community in order to navigate autism concerns in early childhood.

Evaluations and Treatment through Medical Systems

In order for a child to receive intervention services covered by medical insurance, children typically require a formal diagnosis from a medical professional. Below are some resources to complete a diagnostic evaluation. See the following section for services children can receive through the educational system.

Children's Main Hospital - Sheikh Zayed Campus

Children's National Hospital Departments

This webpage page lists all of the departments at Children's National Hospital that serve children with autism through evaluation and treatment programs.

Explore our referral guidelines

exterior of georgetown university hospital

Autism and Communications Disorders Clinic

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

The clinic provides evaluation services. For more information about the autism and communications disorder clinic please visit our website or call us at

Visit Medstar Georgetown University Hospital website Call 202-444-2722

Early Intervention & School Based Services

The District of Columbia's Early Intervention Program (DC EIP) provides support and services to families with children, from birth through 3, with developmental delays and disabilities. Strong Start early intervention services are provided in a child’s natural environment. Strong Start uses a coaching interaction style to build on the capacity of families and caregivers to help their child learn and develop.

Discover Strong Start

Start the referral process

Call Strong Start Intake Hotline

Early Stages is an evaluation center that works with families to identify and address developmental delays in children between 2 years 8 months to 5 years 10 months. A program of DC Public Schools, they provide evaluations for Washington, D.C., residents who have not yet entered the school system or are currently homeschooled. The program can also provide community referrals for children in private or charter schools. Early Stages also provides professional development and parent workshops in the community. All Early Stages services are free.

Refer a child by visiting the Early Stages website or by filling out the Early Stages DC Form.

Questions?

Email Early Stages for general questions or the Early Stages education team to schedule a workshop.

Healthy Futures is a program in which licensed mental health professionals provide on-site mental health consultation services aimed at building the capacity of directors and staff at child development centers to reduce challenging behaviors and promote positive social-emotional development. Services for children/families include services to improve social-emotional competence, education about children's mental health, individual child and classroom observations, screening for early identification of social emotional concerns, and referrals and linkages to community resources and services. Services for staff/centers include support with child behavior and classroom management, crisis intervention services, training on behavior management techniques and accessing resources, promoting staff wellness, team building and staff support, and consultation on program policies about social emotional mental health issues.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Stephen O'Connor by phone at 202-527-0840 or by email.

Call 202-527-0840 Email Stephen O'Connor

Additional Information

For a list of sites that work with Healthy Futures view the pdf below.

View PDF

Legal & Advocacy Organizations

Explore legal and advocacy resources designed to support families and help them advocate for their child’s needs.

Peer & Community Supports

DC Autism Parents (DCAP) is a parent-founded and operated 501(c)3 non-profit organization. DCAP offers a monthly newsletter, monthly support group call, parent workshops/webinars and family and community resource navigation.

Visit DCAP website

Request Information

For more information regarding DCAP, please call or email us.

Call 202-271-9262 Email DCAP

The DC Developmental Disabilities Council is an independent, community-based advisory committee funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The council possesses a membership of 15 dedicated individuals charged with identifying and addressing the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities in the Washington, D.C., community. The DD Council seeks to strengthen the voice of people with developmental disabilities and their families in support of greater independence, inclusion, empowerment and the pursuit of life as they choose.

Visit DDC DC website

Contact Us

For more information from DC Developmental Disabilities Council, please call or email us.

Call 202-724-8612 Email DDC DC

DC Advocacy Partners is a leadership training program designed for self-advocates and family members of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities as well as professionals working with people with disabilities. There is no cost to participate in the program.

Visit DC Advocacy Partners website

Contact Us

For more information about DC Advocacy Partners, please email or call us.

Call 202-822-8405 Email DC Advocacy Partners

Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community (EESNC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is linking a support group of parents, educators and professionals in the DMV community to provide support, education, and guidance to families raising children with special needs so they can become effective advocates for their children.

Visit EESNC website

Contact Us

For more information about Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community, please call or email us.

Call 301-201-6244 Email EESNC

Help Me Grow DC is an information and referral helpline for District of Columbia residents available at no cost that provides parents, physicians and providers with the knowledge and resources they need to make a difference in the lives of prenatal parents and families with children through age 5.

Visit Help Me Grow website

Contact Us

For more information about Help Me Grow, please call or email us.

Call 1-800-MOM-BABY (666-2229)Email Help Me Grow

Call 202-442-5955

Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc. (HSCSN) is the contracted healthcare plan provider for the District of Columbia’s Child and Adolescent Supplemental Security Income Program (CASSIP) for children and young adults. CASSIP manages medical care, dental care, behavioral health services and drug and alcohol abuse services. HSCSN serves children and young adults up to age 26 who live in Washington, D.C., are Medicaid eligible, and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Resource

Apply For Disability

Resource

Learn more about HSCSN

HSCSN Process & Tips

Apply for HSCSN using the CASSIP Provider Request form (signed by provider) through DHCF. The completed CASSIP request form, in addition to supplemental documents that include clinical support of the existence of a physical or mental impairment, can be sent to Surobhi Rooney (DHCF) via email or fax. Families can get HSCSN even if SSI hasn’t been approved through the Katie Beckett Waiver through DHCF.

Fax 202-442-4790 Email Surobhi Rooney (DHCF)

Call 202-467-2737

Additional Resources

Explore additional resources from the DC Autism Collaborative.

Recreational Resources

The following resources offer adapted recreational opportunities for children with autism.

Smithsonian's Morning at the Museum Program

Morning at the Museum is a free, sensory-friendly program for families of children, teenagers and young adults with disabilities including intellectual disabilities, autism, sensory processing disorders and other cognitive disabilities.

Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) of Greater DC - Baltimore

KEEN provides 1-to-1 sports and recreational opportunities for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities for free.

Kids in Action

Kids in Action is an adaptive sports and social activities program for children and young adults with disabilities and their siblings.

Music for Autism

Music for Autism is enhancing quality of life and raising public awareness through autism-friendly, interactive concerts developed specifically for individuals with autism and their families.

Visit Music for Autism website
Call Music for Autism at 877-863-7473 Ext. 1
Email Music for Autism

Helpful Websites

This list of miscellaneous websites provide additional information about ASD and associated supports.

ASD Toolkit for Primary Care Providers in Washington, D.C.

A toolkit for PCPs that includes helpful resources across D.C. including information and resources about IEPs and 504 plans.

Download ASD Toolkit (PDF)

Association for Science in Autism Treatment

A resource to explore the research behind different autism treatments.

Explore Association for Science in Autism Treatment website

Autism Navigator/Baby Navigator

A collection of web-based tools, videos and courses about early social communication development and ASD.

Autism Society of America

An organization that provides advocacy, education, information and referral, support and community at national, state and local levels.

Visit Autism Society of America website

Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks First 100 Days Toolkit for Young Children

An advocacy organization with a variety of helpful resources including toolkits for parents, such as the “First 100 Days” toolkit.

Learn more about the 100 days toolkit

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

An advocacy organization run by autistic self-advocates. Learn more at their website or through their start here guide.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network website

Caregiver Skills Training

Caregiver Skills Trainings from Autism Speaks is a free online training program that teaches caregiver’s day-to-day skills to help boost the well-being and development of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Explore Caregiver Skills Training courses

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Learn the Signs. Act Early" Program and Act Early DC

Free resources to track children’s development and information on how to act early should there be any concerns.

Charting the LifeCourse

A series of easy-to-use life planning tools.

Visit Charting the LifeCourse website

Kennedy Krieger Video Tutorial

A video tutorial designed to help support parents in identifying the early signs of ASD.

Watch Kennedy Krieger video tutorial

Picture Exchange Communication Systems

The Picture Exchange Communication System, or PECS, allows people with little or no communication abilities to communicate using pictures.

Learn more about PECS

Parent Encouragement Program

A resource for parent education, training and support.

Learn more about the Parent Encouragement Program

Sesame Street and Autism

A Sesame Street initiative offering a series of videos and resources to support families in managing common challenges and to help improve connections with families’ social networks.

Explore Sesame Street autism resources

Vanderbilt Family First Website

TRIAD’s Families First Program is a free program for caregivers of young children (ages 2-7) newly diagnosed with ASD. The primary goal is to equip caregivers with practical tools to support their child, to provide resources to more easily apply strategy and planning ideas and to give caregivers an opportunity to meet other caregivers with similar questions or concerns.

Visit Vanderbilt Family First website

Wandering Resources

Tips to keep kids from ASD safe from wandering.

Explore ASD wandering tips