There are numerous resources available online and in print.

 FOR MISSOURI INFO: 

Navigating Autism Services:  A Community Guide for Missouri is a new guide booklet published by the Missouri Office of Autism Services for families to provide info on autism, resources, and services in Missouri.

(Thanks for all your hard work on this, Anne!)

MO-FEAT's directory has comprehensive referrals for the St. Louis metro area, as well as listing across Missouri, which includes info on local support groups.

Missouri special education info:

 Parent's Guide to Special Education in Missouri

 Parent's Bill of Rights                                 (in Special Education)

NATIONAL RESOURCES

Unlocking Autism website maintains a resource list of books and websites for families, and also has parent-to-parent mentoring.

The Autism Speaks has a FIRST 100 DAYS kit.

TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) maintains a useful website for families and also publishes a comprehensive printed JOURNEY GUIDE, which can be ordered.

Autism Society of America maintains a helpful website with a special section entitled LIFE WITH AUTISM. 

National Autism Association's website provides info on their HELPING HAND program, which provides grants to families for treatment costs and their FAMILY FIRST program, aimed to providing crucial family supports to keep marriages together.

ARI (Autism Research Institute) maintains a website with a FOR FAMILIES section and sponsors national DAN (Defeat Autism Now) conferences.

MPACT (Missouri Parents Act) assists parents to effectively advocate for their children's educational rights and services.

IN MISSOURI:

Missouri Autism Centers

Columbia:  Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

St. Louis:  Cardinal Glennon Knights of Columbus

KC:  Children's Mercy Hospital

 Cape Girardeau:  SEMO AUTISM CENTER

 Other Missouri Autism Resources

St. Louis:  TOUCHPOINT

Cape Girardeau:  TAILOR INSTITUTE

Springfield:  BURRELL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Joplin:  OZARK CENTER

In Missouri, families seeking services usually begin with:

* Department of Mental Health,  DD Division which can lead to a referral to a Missouri Atuism Project

* Their local public school district

*MPACT (Missouri Parents Act) assists parents to effectively advocate for their children's educational rights and services.  

Depending on the area, there may be a number of private resources available, as well. 

MO-FEAT's directory has comprehensive referrals for the St. Louis metro area, as well as listing across Missouri, which includes info on local support groups.

Autism Alliance of Greater Kansas City and their online resource directory are resources in KC, they sponsor "New Parent" luncheons.

 The AutismSource