Resources

DIRFloortime

Learn about the model of DIR and Floortime and more about the Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDCs) that drive our therapy.

Zero to Three

A website dedicated to 0-3- including resources, classes and education for families.

Links for “Ages and Stages” and other articles helpful for families: zerotothree.org/resources/for-families/

Apraxia Kids is the leading nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech. It includes guides for navigating IEPS, brochures about CAS (for parents, teachers, heading to school), resources around the state and even support for obtaining a AAC for your child with CAS!

Autism Society

Everyone deserves to live fully. At the core of the Autism Society’s work is a goal to influence meaningful change in support of the Autism community.

Provides resources, knowledge, support and connecting to the community.

Resources for PDA
(Pathological Demand Avoidance):

About Autism & PDA

Advice & Guidance

First things First

First things First supports programs (and parent resources- including research, parent classes, 0-5 Hotline) across the state through grants and community organizations that provide services- at no cost- for young children 0-5 (before kindergarten) and their families.

High quality preschool programs through “Quality First”. You can search based on specific criteria (cost, location, level of quality).

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a non-profit organization. ASAN works to make our society more inclusive for autistic people. We work to make sure that autistic people are in control in our own lives, and have a say in policies that affect us. We work to protect disability rights and civil rights. We celebrate and promote autistic community and culture. We do this work in many ways, including:

Policy and legal advocacy
Making educational resources
Creating advocacy tools
Leadership training for autistic self-advocates

Meaningful Speech

Meaningful Speech has led the social media world in the area of Gestalt Language Processors (GLP) and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA). While the website is geared towards professionals, there’s a link for articles and resources. There are often free classes to learn more about these areas as well.

Research about NLA and GLP:
meaningfulspeech.com/research-and-resources

Affect Autism

Affect Autism was created to help caregivers access a respectful approach that can make their lives with their autistic children more joyful and meaningful for both their children and themselves.

It is our mission to help you see the strengths in your child using DIR Floortime. Through the podcasts with experts and blog content which will include video examples, we will give you the confidence to help you help and support your child without relying on our less-than-ideal public services.

https://affectautism.com/

Birth-5 Hotline

Birth-5 Hotline- a FREE call center with experts in early childhood development, registered nurses, disabilities specialists, early literacy specialists and mental health counselors. Answer questions based on research and their years of experience. Spanish speaking staff are available.

Therapeutic Riding of Tucson

Therapeutic Riding of Tucson (TROT) - Adaptive Riding is a weekly mounted horseback riding for the purpose of contributing positively to individuals living with disabilities (starting at 4 years ld) through the teaching of horsemanship and riding skills. As the participants work on riding skill-based goals through different tasks and activities, they can experience emotional benefits, including reduced feelings of depression and anxiety, increased self-esteem, enhanced focus, improved social skills, and a sense of control and connection.

Sensory Integration

This has definitions for Sensory Integration. Allows families to review resources in SI.

Make Way for Books

Make Way for Books is an early literacy nonprofit that provides proven programs, services, and resources to more than 30,000 young children, parents, and educators throughout southern Arizona each year. Our mission is to give all children the chance to read and succeed. We provide proven programs to ensure our youngest children discover the joy of books, develop critical emergent literacy and language skills, and start school ready. We reach young children in the critical birth to 5 years to build a foundation for all future learning. Our theory of change is that we get to every caregiver in a child’s life and ensure that, that adult understands their incredible power to impact their child’s literacy, love of learning, and success.

They also have a FREE library app with illustrated books and ideas of activities after reading

Community Events and Resources

Movies on the Lawn

Movies on the Lawn

September 9– The Emperor’s New Groove

all start at 7:30

Deckbox

A new business, owned by 2 neurodivergent individuals. They believe that gaming should be an inclusive and welcoming experience for all. Our space is designed to be a haven where gamers of all skill levels, backgrounds, and neurodiversities can come together, learn, play, and connect. From our sensory-safe environment to our engaging and welcoming Magic games, Deckbox is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, supportive community.

Weekly Events scheduled.

Adaptive Gymnasics

Adaptive Gymnastics

Old Pueblo Gymnastics offers adaptive gymnastics classes for children with a range of special needs. This program is directed by a certified and licensed occupational therapist and classes focus on basic sensorimotor and gross motor skills in a fun, gymnastics setting.

Swim Lessons

Find Your Fins

Find Your Fins offers discounted, one-on-one swim lessons to people with disabilities. We teach children as young as 6 months.

Using swimming to reach challenged populations, adding a healthy dynamic to life.

Preschool Programs

These are not all vetted through personal experience, but we continue to hear positive feedback from families. For additional options, see “Quality First” through First Things First. Additionally, most are not trained/certified in special education.