Learning about Autism:

• Early Signs of Autism: This video (above) includes clips of specific behaviors indicative of either autism or typical child development (also available in Spanish). If you have concerns about your infant/toddler after viewing this tutorial, we encourage you to contact your child’s Primary Care Provider to discuss a referral for an evaluation.
• First Signs: Resources for early detection of autism
• Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT): Autism screening tool for children ages 16-30 months
• CDC – Learn the Signs. Act Early Campaign: Access to a variety of materials to track your child’s development, including the CDC free Milestone Tracker app.
• First Words Project – 16 by 16: Provides information about early social communication milestones that typically develop by 16 months old
• Autism Navigator: Provides information about autism as well as intervention strategies families can use at home to support their child’s development
• Informing Families: Resources available to families at different stages of a child/person’s development (available in multiple languages)
• Seattle Children’s Hospital Autism Center: The Patient & Family Education page has a collection of helpful videos and resources about autism and related topics.
• Our Amazing Minds: Celebrating Differences and Sharing the Adventure of Autism by Jeffery May, Laura May, Anastasiya Halionka (Illustrator)

• Help Me Grow Washington: Connects families with resources to support their child’s health and development
• AS360: Resources and a database of services in Washington State
• Washington State Mental Health Referral Line: Call 833-303-5437 or fill out the online form to request support in finding services (including ABA)
• B-3/ESIT Statewide Directory: Statewide directory of agencies who provide birth-to-three services in Washington State.
• ABA Partial Day Programs: Directory of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) partial day programs in Washington State who accept Medicaid/Apple Health insurance.
• Planning Your Next Steps: a form to guide your connection to resources and providers

• Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Services refer to a range of support and assistance provided to individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism, such as employment services, assistance providing personal care, respite services, environmental modification, and housing.
• Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Head Start help provide free preschool, childcare, meals, and case management for families.
• Women Infants and Children (WIC) is a program for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under 5 that provides free healthy foods for working families, families receiving Medicaid, and children in foster care.

• Child Find: Schools have a legal duty to evaluate children impacted by disability to see if they are eligible for additional support or services. If a child is found eligible, the school will develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Special Education referrals: Information about the processes and procedures to locate, identify, and evaluate students between the ages of 3 and 21 who are suspected of having a disability and may be eligible for special education and related services.
• The Arc of King County Early Learning for Children with Disabilities: This guide includes definitions of commonly used terms and acronyms in placement decisions and provides a description of different preschool programs and placements.
• Resources on placement decisions and inclusion:
  • Guide to placement decisions and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
  • ECTA Preschool LRE Reference Points and Discussion Prompts: This summary of the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) provisions of the IDEA as applicable to preschool aged children with disabilities is intended to be used as both a quick reference guide and training tool.
  • Placement/ Least Restrictive Environment: Technical assistance resources on this page include research, articles, tools, templates, technical assistance centers, and Web sites
  • Preschool Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) – Indicator 6: Includes information about Preschool Inclusion Champions Project, National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) Intensive Technical Assistance Grant, and other resources
  • Decision Tree for Coding Early Childhood Educational Environments

The IDEA Provisions Supporting Preschool Inclusion: This fact sheet includes the most recent policy letter from the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) clarifying that the IDEA LRE provisions apply to preschool children with disabilities. between the ages of 3 and 21 who are suspected of having a disability and may be eligible for special education and related services.

Finding the Right Services for Your Child

OTAI Manual: A Manual for Diagnosticians & Birth to Three Providers

Cultural Values and Beliefs for Practitioners: a Guide for Providers

Click here for a list of children’s books on Autism, Alternative Communication, Sensory Processing and Stimming.