Support for Families

At Pediatric Psychology Services of Colorado, we want to be sure the families we work with have all of the resources they need. We understand our geographical location can impact a family’s access to resources in person and increase their need to rely on the internet. Dr. Nichole Swann has compiled a list of links to provide these important resources on one convenient page. Please bookmark this page and refer to it as needed!

If you would like to discuss any of these resources or if you want to schedule with our psychologist and team in Glenwood Springs, Rifle and Grand Junction, Colorado, please call 970-665-4744.

Resources

The internet can be a valuable tool for families in settings without regular access to specialized and coordinated care. It is important to carefully consider what information you take in on the internet as not all sources are based on fact, best practice guidelines or well-designed research. Be wary of chat rooms and unsolicited forms of information. Here are some online resources as well as local resources to help families in the Western Slope.

If your child has a first-time diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, the following links may be helpful:

  1. https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/100-day-kit-young-children
  2. https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/100-day-kit-school-age-children
  3. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism-spectrum-disorder/index.shtml
  4. https://www.autismspeaks.org/
  5. https://www.autismcolorado.org/
  6. https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/11-tips-new-autism-parents
  7. https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/dos-and-donts-after-autism-diagnosis

Resources for Spanish-speaking families:

  1. https://www.autismspeaks.org/espanol
  2. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/espanol/spanish-listing.shtml
  3. https://www.autismspeaks.org/deteccion-temprana
  4. https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/toolkit-pdf/manual-de-los-100-dias.pdf
  5. https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/2018-10/analisis-aplicado-de-la-conducta.pdf

More information about developmental delays and developmental milestones may be found at:

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/
  2. An app to track development may be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html
  3. https://www.aappublications.org/news/2019/11/14/developmental-milestones-pediatrics-11-14-19
  4. A list of developmental milestones by age may be found at: https://www.aap.org/sites/Search/Pages/results.aspx?k=developmental+milestone

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy is a beneficial treatment for children with a variety of neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders.

  1. To find local providers in your area, visit https://www.bacb.com/services/o.php?p
  2. Telehealth options in Colorado may be found at https://cfcico.com/
  3. Parent training may also be helpful to assist in the implementation of ABA Therapy principles. The following website offers online parent and family training for purchase: https://reliasacademy.com/rls/store/

Accommodations for ACT and SAT testing are often an area of concern considering the recent scandals. Most boards require a well-established history of accommodations through an IEP or 504 Plan, in addition to recent testing results. More information may be found at:

  1. https://www.compassprep.com/accommodations-requests-sat-vs-act/
  2. https://global.act.org/content/global/en/products-and-services/the-act-non-us/registration/accommodations.html
  3. http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/accommodations/policy-for-accommodations-documentation.html
  4. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/special-circumstances/students-with-disabilities
  5. https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/reasons-work-with-school
  6. https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/documentation-guidelines/overview

If your child has learning concerns or developmental disabilities and will soon attend college or plans to live independently, here are some resources that may be helpful:

  1. https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/transition-tool-kit
  2. https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/postsecondary-educational-opportunities-guide

Selected Reading:

  1. Here is a list of recommended readings related to autism that may be helpful for parents:
    1. The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy With Autism by Naoki Higashida
    2. Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry M. Prizant
    3. The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by Ross Greene
    4. Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by Deborah Reber
    5. In a Different Key: The Story of Autism by Caren Zucker and John Donvan
    6. The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
    7. An Early Start for Your Child With Autism by Sally Rogers, Geraldine Dawson, Laurie Vismara
    8. The Whole Brain Child by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne-Bryson
    9. NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman)
    10. How to Talk so Little Kids will Listen by Joanna Faber and Julie King
    11. How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims
    12. Beyond Behaviors by Mona Delahooke
    13. Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes by Jennifer Elder
    14. Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson
    15. The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide by Yenn Purkis
    16. The Asperkid’s Secret Book of Social Rules by Jennifer Cook O’Toole
    17. Welcome to the Autistic Community by Lar Berry
    18. Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Sarah Hendrick
    19. Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price
    20. I Love Being My Own Autistic Self: A thAutoons Book by Landon Bryce
    21. Positive Parenting for Autism: Powerful Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Challenges and Thrive by Victoria Boone, MA., BCBA
    22. What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew edited by Emily Paige Ballou, Kristina Thomas and Sharon daVanport
    23. The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens by Yenn Purkis
  2. The following books in Spanish are recommended:
    1. Viajando en el Tren del Autismo (Spanish Edition) by Maria del Rocio Arroyo Rivera
    2. Seres humanos únicos: Una manera diferente de ver el autismo (Spanish Edition) by Alianza Ensayo
    3. Introducción al Enfoque ABA en Autismo y Retraso de Desarrollo. Un Manual para Padres y Educadores. (Spanish Edition) by Claudio Trivisonno
    4. El Manual de Actividades para el Autismo: Actividades para ayudar a los niños a comunicarse, hacer amigos y aprender habilidades para la vida (Spanish Edition) by Catherine Pascuas
    5. Diez cosas que todo niño con autismo desearía que supieras (Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew) (Spanish Edition) by Ellen Notbohm
    6. Autismo: guía para padres sobre el trastorno del espectro autista En español (Spanish Edition) by Charlie Mason
    7. Atención temprana para su niño o niña con autismo: Cómo utilizar las actividades cotidianas para enseñar a los niños a conectar, comunicarse y aprender (Spanish Edition) by Sally J. Rogers (Author), Geraldine Dawson (Author), Laurie A. Vismara (Author), Isabel Hoyos Seijo
  3. The following is a list of readings related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that parents may find useful:
    1. Driven to Distraction by John Rady
    2. Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents by Charles A. Barkley
    3. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, How to Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adel Faber and Elaine Mazlish
    4. Parenting ADHD Now!:Easy Intervention Strategies to Empower Kids with ADHD by Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster
    5. Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
    6. The Defiant Child: Charles A. Barkley

Here is a list of local providers who assist with basic needs:

  1. https://ccdenver.org/western-slope-services/
  2. https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/more-assistance
  3. https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com/
  4. https://www.voacolorado.org/gethelp-denvermetro-foodnutrition
  5. http://tomsdoor.com/

Agencies that assist with coordination of care for families and identity resources:

  1. https://www.cde.state.co.us/early/childfind
  2. https://www.mtnvalley.org/

For assistance with education issues such as IEPs and 504 Plans, the following sites may be beneficial:

  1. Information related to state policies regarding special education: https://www.cde.state.co.us/spedlaw
  2. Advocacy for educational assistance from the Arc is available in the Western Slope through the following sites:
    1. https://thearc.org/chapter/the-arc-of-the-central-mountains/
    2. https://thearc.org/chapter/the-arc-of-west-central-colorado/
    3. https://thearc.org/chapter/the-arc-mesa-county/

Information regarding recommendations for screen time and articles about aggressive themes in video games may be found at:

  1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one hour per day of high-quality programming for children aged 2 to 5. More information regarding screen time with children may be found at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Announces-New-Recommendations-for-Childrens-Media-Use.aspx
  2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-violent-video-games-trigger-aggression/
  3. https://www.pnas.org/content/115/40/9882

For summer programs and other activities available for children with various developmental and physical disabilities, the following sites may be helpful:

  1. https://discoversevenstars.com/b/summer-camps-for-teens-with-autism/colorado/
  2. https://boec.org/
  3. https://ascendigo.org/