Raleigh, NC (May 19, 2016): The Autism Society of North Carolina has created an online database of resources available to families in North Carolina. The goal of the Resource Directory is to provide a searchable, accurate, and easy-to-use directory of resources related to autism and other developmental disabilities.

The Resource Directory, which can be found at http://www.referweb.net/asnc, was supported in part by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Autism Spectrum Disorder State Implementation Grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Medical Health Homes for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Initiative of the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD).

"Access to care is improved when families and individuals can obtain resource information in a timely manner," said Karen Luken, Disability and Health Consultant for the NCCDD integrated care initiative. "People want to know about local, regional, and state resources so they can find solutions for their family. We are excited that this is an evolving resource that will expand options."

The Resource Directory allows users to search by category of service, a keyword, or a provider agency's name. It includes North Carolina-specific resources that are most often requested by families or recommended by the Autism Resource Specialists that the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) employs throughout the state.

Many of the initial resources listed in the Resource Directory are directed at families of young children and focused on screening, diagnosis, and early intervention resources as well as specialized pediatric services to improve development. ASNC plans to expand and improve the listings in the Resource Directory to cover more types of resources.

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. A prevalence study by the CDC indicates as many as 1 in 59 8-year-old schoolchildren in North Carolina may be diagnosed with autism.
• For more than 46 years, the Autism Society of North Carolina has worked to address areas of need and expand services for the autism community in North Carolina. ASNC works to directly improve the lives of individuals affected by autism by providing advocacy, education, and services.
• For more information, call 1-800-442-2762 or visit http://www.autismsociety-nc.org.

Access the ASNC Resource Directory here

The original press release is available here.