Advocacy, Support, and Information

Click the tabs below to access links to resources including organizations specializing in advocacy and support of autistic individuals and their families and information about autism.

These resources are not directly affiliated with may not reflect the views or beliefs held by, the REAACT Lab and its members. 

Adult Resource Guide

Child and Adolescent Resource Guide

Local Resources: Places to Start

These organizations will help you understand where to start, help you find the resources helpful in your situation, link you to other organizations and programs that can be of guidance, and provide a number of services themselves. If you are lost and overwhelmed and wondering where to begin, these are where to begin.

Achieva Guidance on an individual basis Information, including support and resources, available online Education and training resources Services and supports Individuals of any age and families ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) Information, including support and resources, available online Education and training resources Information on research projects and participation Services and supports Individuals of any age and families

More Local Resources

Pennsylvania DHS: Autism Services Information, including support and resources, available online Education and training resources Services and supports Individuals of any age and families Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy (PCAA) Information available online Education resources  Supports Individuals of any age and families Autistic Student's Union: University of Pittsburgh Advocacy and support for autistic students Pittverse Magazine Articles and information about living with autism by autistic creators PEAL Center Education and healthcare resources One-on-one support

First Responders and Law Enforcement

PA Yellow Dot Safety Program	A program designed to help people in traffic crashes or emergencies when they can't talk. An effort between PennDOT, the state health department, first responders, and law enforcement.
Allegheny County Special Needs Registry	Volunteer registry of information by those with a mental or physical disability that would be helpful for emergency personnel to know when responding to a crisis.
Project Lifesaver International	A search and rescue program operated internationally by public safety agencies designed for “at risk” individuals who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering.
First Responder Card	A printable card to provide to first responders containing basic information, contacts, and description of autism (via our PAARCC group's Pro Tips Program)

National Advocacy, Support, and Information

AACAP: Autism Resource Center Help to find treatment plans best suited to needs AASPIRE Information, including support and resources, available online Education and training resources Autism Speaks (AS) Information, including support and resources, available online Education and training resource Toolkits Autism Society of America (ASA) Information, including support and resources, available online Education and training resources The Autistic People of Color Fund Advocacy for black, brown, indigenous, Asian, and mixed race autistic people  Information available online Education resources Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse  Mental Health recovery resources