Resource Guide

Because autism is a spectrum disorder, symptoms range from mild to severe and the level of developmental delay is unique to each individual. There’s an array of practitioners that comprise the clinical roster: medical doctors and dentists experienced in working with ASD patients and speech, behavioral and occupational therapists, which can help a child acclimate and normalize existing sensory challenges.

The lack of comprehensive care in local communities can be a significant and overwhelming health challenge for families with autistic children. To address this, Autism Speaks launched the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) which currently includes 17 leading children’s hospitals and academic medical centers in the U.S. and Canada. Parents should explore and be open minded to a variety of options and provide their child with a multi-disciplinary approach to intervention and support.

Support groups can help parents learn about reliable resources, schools and professionals. These groups can also offer emotional support. The need for support doesn’t start or end after diagnosis. Preschool, kindergarten and elementary school are major transition periods as is adolescence. The bridge from high school to adulthood is the greatest transition with much more significant and longer lasting effect. It’s important for families to reach out during these periods to other families and professionals in the community.

Autism Allies of Wright County strives to improve the lives of individuals with autism and their families by providing information regarding local resources. Our hope is that these resources will help you find providers who can meet your needs or the needs of a loved one. We are always interested in learning about new local resources, so if you know of a provider we have not listed, please let us know by clicking here.

Educational Support

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

A place for you and your child to play and learn.

MN Department of Education

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) – Aims to improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities. It links families, advocates, and self-advocates to information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Disability Law Center
Pacer
Learning Rx – Brain training program with locations in Maple Grove and the metro area.

Equipment and Supplies

Ablenet – Communication switches and mounting systems to assist the adult/child with expressing their need/wants to caregivers as well as other adapted products for inclusion into everyday activities both in the classroom and at home.
Access to Recreation – Adapted equipment for all areas of recreation.
Achievement Products – Variety of equipment for special needs.
ActivStyle – Incontinence products.
Adaptive Mall – Adaptive equipment of all kinds.
Allegro Medical – Durable medical products and other medical supplies.
Attainment Company – Software and speaking devices as well as other helpful products.
Assistive Technology of MN – Nonprofit organization that provides access to life changing equipment for people with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Resources – Helpful resources through the Courage Center.
Beyond Play – Early Intervention products specifically for children birth to five with special needs.
Cozy Calm – Weighted blankets of all sizes.
Do 2 Learn – Games, songs, communication cards, print resources, print free PECS, and information for special needs.
Enabling Devices – This company provides assistive and learning devices for children with special needs. They also provide products for independent living.
FlagHouse – Variety of products for special needs.
Freedom of Speech – Assistive technology solutions for people with and without disabilities. Specializes in learning cisabilities, dyslexia, blindness, low vision, Braille, accessible door openers and environmental control systems.
Gillette Children’s Assistive Technology
Integrations – Sensory integration toys/equipment.
Kaplan – Educational toys.
Lakeshore – Wide variety of educational items.
Pro-Ed – Speech and language arts materials.
Mayer-Johnson, Inc. – Augmentative (assisted) communication products including PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System).
Professional Development Programs – Professional development programs, inexpensive products, and publications.
Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. – Products for the Picture Exchange Communication System and the Pyramid Approach to Education.
Quilted Illusions – Weighted quilts, weighted vests, weighted animals, and texture quilts among other products. Made to order (size, style, and fabric).
Rifton Equipment – Adapted seating and mobility products often used in the school setting.
Southpaw Enterprises, Inc. – Develops and manufactures sensory integration products.
Sportime Abilitations – Many different products for children with special needs including mobility aids, sensory integration equipment, adapted swimming equipment, educational games/ items.
Super Duper Publications – Sensory, learning, and communication products.
TFH Special Needs Toys – Variety of sensory and therapy products.
Therapro – Adapted products for children and adults with special needs.
Therapy Shoppe – Specialty toys, games, educational equipment, sensory, and motor products.
Woodbine House – Written materials related to special needs.

Employment

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development – Vocational rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.
Central MN Jobs and Training Services – Provides quality training and job placement services.
Functional Industries – Community rehabilitation service provider that provides job placement, career planning, and other employment services as well as a day treatment and rehabilitation program.
Opportunity Partners – Opportunity Partners supports choices for people with disabilities through innovative services and strategic collaborations, assisting those we serve to live, learn, and work – adding value to their lives and communities.
Project C3 – Resources in MN for transition age individuals. It has a search engine where you can select housing, employment, financial aid, recreation, family services, and then select the area you are living in and it will pull up these resources.
Project SEARCH – Provides real-life work experience to help youth with significant disabilities make successful transitions from school to adult life

Funding

Wright County Financial Services Department – To apply for Medical Assistance.
TEFRA Parental Fee Estimator – Estimates monthly parental fee for participants accessing Medical Assistance through the TEFRA program.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
MN Star Program – Funding sources for assistive technology.

Housing/Residential Services

Minnesota Association of Centers For Independent Living – An organization that advocates for the independent living needs of people with disabilities who are citizens of the State of Minnesota, to develop new resources, identify and provide access to existing resources which provide the services needed by persons with disabilities so that they may live independently in the situation and community of their choice.
Housing Access Services (The Arc Minnesota) – helps adult Minnesotans of all ages who have been assessed as eligible for Minnesota Medicaid home care or waiver services and who want to move to homes of their own.
AME Community Services
Mains’l Services
Meridian Services
REM Minnesota

Information and Referral

Disability Minnesota – Provides a single entry point to over 100 Minnesota state agency programs, products, and services that are devoted to the range of disability issues.
Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) – Information and Referral Line can link you with agencies in your area that provide the health services you need.
MinnesotaHelp.info – Online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota identify resources such as human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of aid and assistance within Minnesota.
Yellow Pages for Kids – Minnesota

Leisure and Recreation

Respite Options

Camp Confidence – Year round education and recreation center for individuals of all ages with disabilities. Located in Brainerd
True Friends – Camp for children and adults with physical disabilities, sensory/language impairments, and other disabilities or illnesses. Located in rural Maple Lake.
Camp Discovery – A camp for youth and young adults with autism and Asperger Syndrome
Camp Ihduhapi – YMCA camp located in Loretto, MN.
Living Well Disability Services – Weekend respite getaways.
Off the Beaten Path, Inc. – Provides economical vacations for developmentally disabled ambulatory adults.
Pathways to Community – Summer camp, after school programs, and weekend overnight activities for adults and children over 10 years of age.
St. David’s Center for Child and Family Development – Pre-school respite care program. Located in Crystal or Minnetonka.

Service Providers

Special Diet

TACA – Guidance for implementing a special diet.
Coborn’s – Many gluten-free products in their stores and online.
Azure Standard – Specializes in natural, organic, earth-friendly foods and products.

Support and Advocacy

ANSWER – Network that advocates for community awareness, furthering research, better education and support of individuals and families living with Aspergers Syndrome.
The Arc – Providing advocacy and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Association of Residential Resources in MN (ARRM) – leads the advancement of community-based services that support people with disabilities in their pursuit of meaningful lives.
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office – A website devoted to consumer protection.
Autism Advocacy and Law Center, LLC – Offers a variety of legal services including Special Ed law and Special Needs Trusts.
Autism Society of America – National organization dedicated to individuals with Autism and their families.
Autism Society of MN – Serving the needs of Minnesotans with autism and their families through advocacy, education, and public awareness.
Autism Speaks – An organization committed to raising public awareness about Autism.
MN Disability Law Center – Specializes in legal matters for individuals with Disabilities.
NW S.P.A.R.K. – Exists to motivate and support families of children with special needs in the NW Minneapolis suburbs. Meetings held monthly in Elk River.
Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities – An Ombudsman is an official who is designated to assist you to overcome the delay, injustice, or impersonal delivery of services.
PACER Center – The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.
School Law Center – Legal representation in all areas of education law.
Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) – National non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating, empowering and supporting families affected by autism.
Autism Society
Autism Speaks
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Wright County Disability Services
Wright County Human Services
Wrong Planet
Autism Shop
Disability Law Center
Fraser – Fraser is a nationally renowned nonprofit organization which services children of all abilities and adults with special needs through comprehensive education, health care, and housing services.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

Therapeutic Horseback

Freedom Farm – Therapeutic riding incorporating sensory, cognitive, and social stimulation to build skills and confidence. Located in Waverly.
Sharadise Therapeutics – Facility located in rural Monticello (near Lake Maria State Park).
We Can Ride – Therapeutic horseback riding for disabled children and adults. They have five facilities including; Minnetonka, Independence, Waconia, Delano, and Marine on St. Croix.

Therapies

Minnesota Autism Center (MAC) – Offers a full range of services to families facing Autism.
Wisconsin Early Autism Project – An organization specializing in ABA therapy.
Behavioral Dimensions – Provides intensive behavioral intervention services for children with autism, as well as Behavioral Consultation for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Behavior Wizards – Behavior consultation to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health issues.
Brih Design – Provides support and services to people who exhibit difficult (to manage) behaviors.
Capernaum Pediatric Therapy – Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy with locations in Big Lake and New Hope.
Crossroads Solutions for Life – Provides therapy, consulting, and social skills training.
Funjoyment – School and community-based social enjoyment groups.
Family Speech and Therapy – Speech therapy and occupational therapy with offices located in Elk River and Andover.
Gillette Children’s Assistive Technology
Kid Talk – Speech and occupational therapies. Office located in Victoria, MN.
North Memorial Health Care – Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy
NovaCare Rehabilitation – Physical and occupational therapies. Offices located throughout MN including Monticello.
Nystrom and Associates
Pacer Simon Technology Center – Technology consultations and lending library.
SPOT Rehabilitation – Speech therapy, physical therapy, aquatic therapy, and occupational therapy in St. Cloud.
St. David's Child Development and Family Services – Speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and feeding therapy.
Fraser – Fraser is a nationally renowned nonprofit organization which services children of all abilities and adults with special needs through comprehensive education, health care, and housing services.
End of the Spectrum
West Metro Learning Connections – Teach social thinking and understanding so that children can apply what they learn wherever they go.
MN Early Autism Project (MEAP) – Provides in-home intensive early behavior therapy (IEBT) services for children 0-6 years old with an autism diagnosis.
Strive Therapy – We serve the families in Wright County and the surrounding areas whom are experiencing developmental or behavioral challenges.

Transition

Courage Center Driver Assessment and Training Program

Guardianship / Conservatorship

Independent Lifestyles, Inc. (ILICIL) – A team promoting independence and choices for people with disabilities.
Project C3 – Resources in MN for transition age individuals. It has a search engine where you can select housing, employment, financial aid, recreation, family services, and then select the area you are living in and it will pull up these resources.
Ridgewater College – Offers an occupational skills program. Click on Programs and Majors and then select Occupational Skills.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
MN Courts
Minnesota Association for Guardianship and Conservatorship (MAGIC)
Special Needs Planners – Comprehensive planning services to help families resolve their unique legal and financial issues.