We do not endorse or recommend any particular products, treatments, services, or diagnosis. We provide information and listings which we hope are helpful.
The Michigan Alliance for Families
The Michigan Alliance for Families is a federally funded organization that offers many resources to families of children with disabilities to help improve their children’s education. If you are starting your research on having a child with autism in Michigan, their website is a wealth of information.
The organization has parent mentors that are available to help support you if you have a question or need help with your children’s educational needs. In the East Lansing area, the parent mentor is Diane McGraw. I spoke to her briefly at a workshop and she is so nice and supportive. Her email is diane@michiganallianceforfamilies.org, or you can call her at 800-552-4821 (apparently the system is able to determine your location and should connect you to her, your local parent mentor, automatically).
Special Education Mediation Services
If you are having issues communication with your school and/or district, it may be time to get some mediation help. The Special Education Mediation Services is a program provided by the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and is meant to serve this purpose. It is not mandatory, but if they are called in by either party, they will attempt to get everyone to the table to try to facilitate a resolution to the problem.
Other Interesting/Helpful Websites:
Michigan Alliance for Families
Mid-Michigan Autism Association
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy
At the 2018 START Conference, Terri Couwenhoven, M.S., TC Services presented a session titled, “Sexuality Education for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”. Although I was attending the conference, I was unable to make it to this session, but thought you all may like the links to the powerpoint and documents she used.
East Lansing Area FACES 