Resources
Just a list of helpful books from my personal library/collection... Plus local community resource sites/links...
Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism, by Temple Grandin
More Than A Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs, by Amy Baskin and Heather Fawcett
Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children, by Gina Gallagher and Patricia Konjoian
Taming the Spirited Child: Strategies for Parenting Challenging Children Without Breaking Their Spirits, by Michael Popkin, PhD
Asperger Syndrome: What Teachers Need to Know, by Matt Winter
(personal note: I used to give one of these short-read books to my son's teacher every year he was in typical elementary school)
404 Deskside Activities for Energetic Kids, by Barbara Davis, MS, MFA
Helping Hyperactive Kids - A Sensory Integration Approach, by Lynn J. Horowitz, MHS, OT, and Cecile Rost, PT
Take Five! Staying Alert at Home and School, by Mary Sue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger
The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It, by Anthony T. DeBenedet, MD, and Lawrence J. Cohen, PhD
Social Behavior Mapping: Connecting Behavior, Emotions and Consequences Across the Day, by Michelle Garcia Winner
The Defiant Child: A Parent's Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder, by Dr. Douglas A. Riley
The Sensory-Sensitive Child: Practical Solutions for Out-of-Bounds Behavior, by Karen A. Smith, PhD, and Karen R. Gouze, PhD
The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, by Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA
Growing an In-Sync Child: Simple, Fun Activities to Help Every Child Develop, Learn, and Grow, by Carol Kranowitz, MA and Joye Newman, MA
Local Community Resources
AutismVentura.com Autism Society of America local chapter
Tri-counties.org Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC)
ChildrensTherapyCenterCamarillo.com Beth Maulhardt, OT, plus other therapists
OceanAdventureDentist.com Dr. Suzie Berger, dentist - best place for any kids w/needs!
DalandSwim.com Daland Swim School - taught my ASD child to swim!
RideOn.org Therapeutic horseback riding - they could handle my son!
SpectacularServices.org Social Skills groups/events PLUS Independent Living Services for adults
RainbowConnectionfrc.weebly.com Rainbow Connection - Family Resource Center w/TCRC
Parent Support Groups
(Facebook & In-Person)
Conejo Valley Coffee Break, both on Facebook & In-Person (meets in Thousand Oaks - join FB group for info)
Conejo Valley Special Parents of Special Kids, Facebook group
Ventura County Autism Parent Talk, Facebook group
Ventura County Autism Community Connection, Facebook group
Super Hero Parents of Ventura County, Facebook group
Autism Society of Ventura County, Facebook group listing both virtual and in-person support groups