Resources

Online:

http://autism.about.com  
http://www.wrightslaw.com
http://www.sarnet.org
http://www.autism-society.org/site
http://www.autism.com/index.asp
http://www.autismspeaks.org/index.php
http://www.albany.edu/psy/autism
http://www.UpstateNYAutism.org

Schools:

St. Colman’s School:
11 Haswell Road
Watervliet, NY 12189
518-273-4911
www.stcolmans.com

Wildwood Programs:
2995 Curry Road Extension
Schenectady NY  12303
518-836-2200 (school)
518-836-2300 (Central Office and Business Office)
 www.wildwood.edu/index.html

Aspire Program, Inc.:
178 Warren Street
Glens Falls NY 12801
518-798-7222
http://www.aspireprograms.org/contactus.html

Newmeadow Saratoga School:
100 Saratoga Vilage Blvd.
Malta NY 12020
518-899-9235
http://www.newmeadow.org

Prospect Child & Family Center:
133 Aviation Road
Queensbury NY 12804
518-798-0170
http://www.prospectcenter.com   

Autism support organizations:

Autism Society of America: Local chapter of the largest nation-wide, grassroots autism organization. Maple Ridge Center, Schenectady. (518) 355-219, albanyautism.com

ARC of Warren and Washington Counties, Inc.: Provides housing and residential services, day programs, service coordination, home and community-based waiver services, parent advocacy and training, family support, respite, camp/recreation, employment programs and adaptive equipment. (518) 793-4204

Campbell House Psychological Associates: (518) 346-0762

Spectrum Life Strategies, Inc.: (518) 813-2258

Wright Therapy Associates: (518) 222-6403

Project Link: Provides free training and workshops for parents and also has occasional recreational programs for kids during school breaks. (518) 461-1576, www.projectlinkforkids.org

Saratoga Bridges: Resource and support. Call Valerie Muratori at (518) 587-0723.

Upstate New York Autism Awareness: 60 Country Lane, Fort Ann. Provides assistance to families affected by autism and other developmental disabilities. Call Jennifer Livingston at (518) 632-9621. www.UpstateNYAutism.org

Parents as Advocates:  A Saratoga based advocacy group for parents and families of children with developmental delays. Contact Mary Fornabia - 588-3166 or Parentsasadvocates@yahoo.com

Community Human Services Parent Support Group: 543 Saratoga Road, Glenville. Emotional support and information for parents of children with disabilities. Call Helen at (518) 399-4624.

Wildwood Parent Support Group: 1190 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham. For parents of children and adults on the autism spectrum. Sibling support group also available. Call Michelle Singh (518) 640-3350.

Asperger’s Syndrome support organizations:

ASPIRe NY (Autism Spectrum Peer Integration & Recreation): Social and recreational opportunities for teens and young adults with high functioning autism. Call Julie Marks at (518) 306-5506.

Teens with AS: Group combines community activites with skills to teach teenagers to be more self-sufficient. For more information, e-mail luciercl@aol.com

The Lunch Bunch: Social skills training for teens with Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or high functioning autism. Ages 15-25. Contact Deb Garrelts at (518) 584-5447 or e-mail ggarrelt@nycap.rr.com

Center for Disability Services Asperger’s Socialization Groups: Specializes in Asperger’s Spectrum Disorders. Groups for ages 5-17 plus. Albany and Clifton Park areas. Contact Chris Hoffay at (518) 437-5562 for more information.

Community Human Services Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Group

543 Saratoga Road, Glenville. Support group for parents of children ages 2-14 with Asperger’s or high functioning autism. Call Helen at (518) 399-4624.

Community Human Services Asperger’s Parent Support Group: 543 Saratoga Road, Glenville. Support group for parents or caregivers of children ages 15 and up with Asperger’s or high functioning autism. Call Helen at (518) 399-4624.

Motor or language therapy:

Kidscare/Thomas Nicolla Consulting Services: 711 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, aqua therapy, speech and developmental groups

(518) 786-1665. www.nicollatherapy.com

Theraplay, PLLC: 6 Halfmoon Executive Park Drive, Clifton Park. Language and motor play group for toddlers. (518) 668-0441

YMCA of the Capital District: 1 Wall Street, Clifton Park. Various programs, including swimming, sports, dance, and gymnastics. Call (518) 371-2139, ext. 5520. www.cdymca.org

Let’s Relate: A social-language enrichment group for young children. Contact Lauren Herbs at (518) 428-0325 or lherbs@nycap.rr.com

Sports Are For Everyone (SAFE) Sports: (Ages 5 and up) A variety of sports in different locations throughout the year for children with disabilities and some teams for children on the autism spectrum. Contact Jim Fitzgerald at (518) 383-8076. http://home.nycap.rr.com/safesports

Cutting Edge Tae Kwon Do: 109 West Ave., Saratoga Springs. (518) 587-5501 or martianartshero.com/cuttingedge

Stepping Star Gymnastics and Dance, Inc.: 86A Congress Plaza, Saratoga Springs. Offers both structured and unstructured gymnastics. (518) 584-5153 or www.steppingstar.com

YMCA Playgroups: 290 West Ave. P.O. Box 4610, Saratoga Springs; (518) 583-9622. 20 Old Gick Road, Saratoga Springs; (518) 587-3000. www.ymcasaratoga.org

Aqua Tots: Wesley Healthcare Center, 131 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs. (518) 691-1451 or www.parenttoparentnys.org

Kids’ Creekside Village: Fully inclusive playground designed to encourage active side-by-side and interactive play for children of all abilities. Contact Shannon Hansen at (518) 885-1525. www.fansofballstonspa.org

Socialization:

Saratoga Springs Public Library: 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs. Call for children programs offered. Offers parenting programs, toddler and preschooler story times and activities. (518) 584-7860 or www.sspl.org

Geyser Road Elementary School: Geyser Road, Saratoga Springs. Reading and projects for preschoolers. (518) 584-7699

Saratoga Children’s Museum: 69 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs. The museum offers free time for you and your child to play and imagine together. (518) 584-5540 or www.childrensmuseumsaratoga.org

For the Love of Music: 8 Mountain Ledge Drive, Wilton. An early childhood play center designed to provide children and their parents and caregivers a play area that is safe, inviting, educational and fun. Call Karey Trimmings at (518) 583-7144. www.theloveofmusic.net or www.theloveofchildren.net

Schuylerville Public Library: 52 Ferry St., Schuylerville. Call for children’s programs offered. (518) 695-6641 or http://schuylervillelibrary.sals.edu/

Medical:

Saratoga Care Family Health Centers: 61 Rowland Ave, Ballston Spa. (888) 242-1418 or (518) 580-2021

Natural Health Improvement Center: Glens Falls. Nutritionists that focus on nutrition for children on the autism spectrum and other disorders. (518) 745-7473

Saratoga County Public Health: 31 Woodlawn Ave., Saratoga Springs. Offer well-child immunization clinics for children who live in Saratoga County and are not covered by medical insurance. (518) 584-7460

Recreation and Summer Camps:

Camp Under the Woods: Presented by Adirondack Enrichments, with Upstate NY Autism Awareness: this camp gives "differently abled" children the chance to explore the outdoors and participate in a summer camp experience. (Contact Heidi Underwood  761-2025 / adirondackspeech@aol.com)

Wildwood Recreation Programs: Activities for individuals of all ages with learning and other neurologically-based developmental disabilities. Call Dennis Lake at (518) 783-9260.

The Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch: 97 Hidden Valley Road, Lake Luzerne. Winter adaptive sports for children ages 6-18 and serving children with special needs and/or critical illnesses. (518) 696-5676 or www.doubleranch.org

CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities): University at Albany, 1535 Western Ave., Albany. Join a research study and learn an approach to parent education which has been proven to be effective in improving children’s behavior. Includes seminars, holiday parties and picnics. Call Dr. Kristin Christodulu at (518) 442-2574.

Let’s Play: New social skills program on Saturdays and summer camp during two weeks over the summer. Contact Shavonne Sanders at (518) 393-2125.

Yoga for a Balanced Life: 543 Saratoga Road, Glenville. Private yoga classes for children grades 2-8. Contact Rachel Fridholm at (518) 399-9736 or e-mail rachelfridholm@att.net

Sports Are For Everyone (SAFE): A variety of sports in different locations throughout the year for children with disabilities and some teams for children on the autism spectrum. Contact Jim Fitzgerald at (518) 383-8076. nycap.rr.com/safesports

Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program (STEP): Glenville. Therapeutic riding and STEP-UP, a program for children and adults with special physical, psychological, and social needs using the horse as a therapy tool. (518) 356-0384

Project Link: Provides occasional recreational programs for children during school breaks. (518) 461-1576 or http://www.projectlinkforkids.org

Center for Disability Services Clover Patch Camp: 55 Helping Hand Lane, Glenville. A week-long social day camp experience for children aged 10-15. Outdoor day and overnight camping opportunities for disabled individuals ages 6 and up. Call Chris Schelin or Laura Taylor for available dates at (518) 384-3080. www.cfdsny.org

Easter Seals Camp Colonie: Colonie Town Park, Schermerhorn Road. Fully integrated day camp and school for those with and without disabilities, ages 5-21. Contact Chuck Paravella at (518) 222-3932.

Center for Disability Services Camp Speculator at Clover Patch Camp: A week-long social day camp experience for children ages 10-15 who have autism spectrum disorders. Call Jan Lisbosa at (518) 437-5599 or e-mail lisbosa@cfdsny.org for an application.

Books:

Please Stop Laughing at Us, One Survivor’s Extraordinary Quest to Prevent School Bullying by Jodee Blanco, 2008.

Bullyproofing Your Child by Keith Vitali, 2007.

Protect Your Child From Bullying: Expert Advice to Help You Recognize, Prevent and Stop Bullying Before Your Child Gets Hurt by Allan L. Beane, 2008.

The Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insights, and Inspiration by Patricia Romanowski Bashe, 2005.

Children with Autism: A Parent’s Guide, 2000.

The Children’s Hospital Guide to Your Child’s Health and Development, 2001.

Targeting Autism: Rapid Fire Culture and the Transformation of Human Consciousness by Richard J. DeGrandpre, 1999.

Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinko.

The Ride Together: A Brother and Sister’s Memoir of Autism in the Family by Paul Karasik, 2003.

Does My Child Have a Speech Problem? by Katherine L. Martin, 1997.

Living with Spina Bifida: A Guide for Families and Professionals by Adrian Sandler, 1997.

Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and PDD: A Mother’s Story of Research and Recovery by Karen Seroussi, 2000.

Raising a Child with a Neuromuscular Disorder: A Guide for Parents, Grandparents, Friends, and Professionals by Charlotte Thompson, 1999.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Understanding the Diagnosis and Getting Help by Walt Mitzi, 2002.

The Autistic Spectrum: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding and Helping Your Child by Lorna Wing, 2001.

Autism: Explaining the Enigma by Uta Frith, 2003.

Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence by Luke Jackson, 2002.

Running on Ritalin: A Physician Reflects on Children, Society, and Performance in a Pill by Lawrence Diller, 1999.