Websites: Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: www.alzfdn.org

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) mission is "to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families—through member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life." The website contains information about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and related illnesses, as well as clinical trials. It also contains information about caregiving and caregiver resources.

Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org

The Alzheimer's Association describes itself as "the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care and support,
and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research." The site contains information about Alzheimer’s disease, about living with Alzheimer’s and about local chapters. It also has many resources for individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Websites: Adults and Autism

Adults and Autism: http://autism.about.com/od/adultsonthespectrum/Adults_and_Autism.htm

From the website: "This website describes what life is like for adults on the autism spectrum. Find opportunities for self-advocacy, meet and greet other adults with ASD diagnoses and find resources for yourself or a loved one." The website also includes the National Listing of Services for Adults, describing it as "a national resource guide for adults on the spectrum. It's not comprehensive—but it is a good starting place."

National Autistic Society: http://www.autism.org.uk/peoplewithasd

Information and support on this website was written specifically for young people and adults with autism and Asperger syndrome. The home page has shortcuts to areas of interest. You may also find useful information in the section written for professionals.

Websites: Kentucky Resources

Northern Kentucky Area Development District: www.nkadd.org

From the website: "Kentucky’s fifteen Area Development Districts comprise a statewide network of multi-county planning and development organizations. The Area Agencies on Aging, part of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, help thousands of individuals remain in their own homes and communities and saves Kentucky millions of dollars in avoided costs for more expensive service interventions through programs such as Family Caregiver and Consumer Directed Option. The ADDs also provide individuals access to vital resources, adult day, in-home respite, care management assistance, transportation and financial consultation."

Kentucky Medicaid – Eligibility: http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/eligibility.htm

This site from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services provides information on who is eligible for Medicaid and how to apply.

Kentucky Medicaid Managed Care: http://medicaidmc.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx

This site describes the Oct. 2011 planned transition of Kentucky Medicaid to managed care throughout the state. This website is intended to assist Medicaid members and providers in finding information about the transition to managed care.

Websites: Mental Illness

National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

From the website: "The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) envisions a world in which mental illnesses are prevented and cured. The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery and cure. For the Institute to continue fulfilling this vital public health mission, it must foster innovative thinking and ensure that a full array of novel scientific perspectives are used to further discovery in the evolving science of brain, behavior and experience. In this way, breakthroughs in science can become breakthroughs for all people with mental illnesses."

This site has a wealth of information on many health topics and offers links to many educational resources.

About.com - Mental Disorders: http://mentalhealth.about.com/od/problems/Mental_Illness_Mental_Disorders.htm

From the website: "This site contains information about different mental disorders. Diagnosis is not always exact, and some of these disorders overlap. The site includes information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and daily life."

Disaboom-information and resources for people with disabilities: http://www.disaboom.com

From the website: "Living with a disability is easier when you’ve got the right information and resources. Disaboom provides people with disabilities the answers, solutions, and connections you need for living your life to the fullest."

Recommended Reading

A Treasure Chest of Behavioral Strategies for Individuals with Autism—Beth Fouse, Ph.D. and Maria Wheeler, M.Ed.

Publisher’s Description: A Treasure Chest…is a cornucopia of ideas, strategies, and concepts that will apply to virtually
any situation! The authors address sensory, communication, and physical and social-emotional issues by increasing desired behaviors and decreasing unwanted behaviors. You will also learn how to build “sensory diets” into everyday activities; use antecedent control; teach students to self-regulate; deal with self-injurious behaviors, physical or verbal aggression, toilet training, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and fixations; deal with crisis/stress/data management, data management, and much more. Whatever problems you face, you'll find helpful solutions to them in this book. This book should be on every teacher's and parent's bookshelf. Great reference source!

Solving Behavior Problems in Autism— Improving Communication with Visual Strategies—Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Publisher’s Description: Linda Hodgdon's new book, Solving Behavior Problems in Autism, provides a very practical approach to recognizing the complexity of behavior management for students with autism spectrum disorders and other students with communication and behavior challenges. Continuing the approach of supporting communication with visual
strategies, this book is packed with problem solving techniques. You will find zillions of samples and examples of visual tools and strategies that have been used effectively to solve behavior problems. This is the second book in the Visual Strategies series. It follows the same style and format as the the bestselling Visual Strategies for Improving Communication. It is another resource guaranteed to provide practical help for every educator or parent who faces students with behavior and self-management challenges.

Embracing Autism—Robert Parish

Publisher’s Description: Through sensitive, sometimes humorous, experienced-based writing from teachers, clinicians, and parent activists in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community, Embracing Autism will help educators and others to better understand the world inhabited by ASD children. The stories contained in the book will inspire and inform readers who are working day-to-day with children in the autism spectrum, providing valuable insights into what makes these kids tick and useful information on how they communicate, learn, and succeed.