Resources

Here's just a few of our favorites that are LOCAL:

We now have a nonprofit in the Southern Tier dedicated to Alternative Therapies!! What are alternative Therapies?  These can include music therapy, art therapy, sensory integration, hippotherapy, aquatherapy, and more!   Check out their mission at Southern Tier Alternative Therapies, Inc. or STAT

Have a situation that just won't resolve itself?  Maybe with a neighbor, a contractor, a customer or with the school district?  Who wants to deal with the complicated court system?   Call Accord at (607) 724-5153 or visit their website for their services - many are either free or reasonably priced. 

Massage Therapy, but by someone who is a licensed PT and knows Autism!  Contact Margo Spak, PT/LMT at mspak@stny.rr.com or (607) 761-9360 - she will even come to the home for an extra 10.00! 

Broome-Tioga Achieve has a wonderful array of recreational programs.  Contact Dubey Safford at 607-231-5265, for further information on Achieve's popular Teen Night  OR contact Kathy McLeary at 723-8361 for Adult Recreation Programs that are always a good time! 

Southern Tier Independence Center  Offering everything from emergency assistance to those disabilities to excellent in-services and trainings! 

Stable Movements, Inc.  - A very popular group of horses who have become friends to our children and teens with developmental disabilities. 

Magic Paintbrush Project - Always puts a smile on the kid's faces!  Click here for a picture of my son Jack (2nd from the right)

Where would we be in the Southern Tier without the wonderful programs of the Family Resource Network, Inc.?

G and E Therapies, Inc. - From professional evaluations to summer camp for children on the spectrum,  give this group a call! 

Without Consultants in Exceptional Education, the teachers and staff in the schools would be lost.  If you need training at your school, give them a call today.

NATION-WIDE AUTISM RESOURCES

Email us for a .pdf file of resources available at info@advocateforautism.com

 
 
 

Need more information on Self-Determination - its philosophy, stories from individuals themselves and how other states are faring?  See Below:

How do you get started???  Call your local Developmental Disabilities Service Office (DDSO) and ask for the CSS Coordinator.  Click here for a listing of all of the offices and/or ask your Medicaid Service Coordinator.  Does all of this sound unfamiliar to you?? That might mean you need to receive what is called the Home and Community Based Waiver through your state first.  Contact me through email at jcolletti@stny.rr.com and I will walk you through the steps of how to begin the process for obtaining.  It's not complicated if you take it one step at a time.  

Thank you to The Self-Advocacy Association of NY State, Inc. for providing materials and information.  Please go to their website to learn more and become a member of this very active group who truly make a difference in the lives of those with autism and other developmental disabilities.  "Nothing About Us Without Us!"  Click here ---->  www.sanys.org 

 
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation made it all possible with the first launch of Self-Determination in the state of New Hampshire in conjunction with the National Institute of Health.  The study on self-determination was headed by C. Everett Koop, MD. who along with a panel of distinguished world-renowned experts.  The Self-Determination for People with Developmental Disabilities Program was a national program that began in 1996 to help 18 states implement a more cost-effective system for serving persons with developmental disabilities while simultaneously giving those persons and their families more choice in determining the services they receive.  Incidentally, New York State began their participation in this movement in 2003 because of the self-advocates (mentioned above), Independent Living Centers, and Commissioner Tom Maul.     Click here --> http://www.rwjf.org/reports/npreports/sdpdd.htm

If you are a neighbor "just over the border in PA" living near the Southern Tier and want to know if there is a program similar to this in PA - YES! There is and click here for more information. 

Still Need More Information?  Click here for the Center for Self-Determination.  There is information here on the philosophy as well as the International Conference.   The Center for Self-Determination is the primary clearinghouse, training and technical assistance source on Self-Determination in the United States and other countries. The Center is devoted to moving power and authority over resources directly to individuals with disabilities, families and allies.