Resources for Caregivers

Adult Services (Support Coordination through the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities and More)

Ability Advocates of NJ → Transition from children’s system of care to adult services, support coordination

Adult Independent Services → Assistance with determining wheth er high school students will be eligible for state-funded services as adults

Advocacy Services Unlimited → Transition from children’s system of care to adult services, support coordination, individual services

The ARC, Ocean County Chapter → Residential services, employment services, recreational programs

Assisting Hands Home Care → Community-based support, in-home care, respite

Beacon Specialized Living New Jersey Inc. → Support coordination, housing, supported employment

Blue Dot: Social and Community Wellness → Wellness and social programs for disabled adults

A Bright Tomorrow → Support coordination

A Care Connection of New Jersey → Support coordination

Caring with Compassion → Employment services, specialized companions, respite care, DDD transition services, saturday socialization

Community Care Partners → Community-Based supports (assistance with housing, employment, daily living skills, recreation)

Community Options → Housing, respite, case management, day training, supported employment, speech therapy, behavior therapy, OT, PT

Disability Navigators LLC → Support coordination

Equal Opportunity Support Services → Support coordination

Evermore Lifestyle Solutions → DDD provider of recreational programs, support coordination, transition planning, family education

Experienced Support Coordination → Support coordination

Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled → Residential services, PT, OT, speech therapy

Kaleidoscope Family Solutions → Behavior supports, community-based supports, individual supports (in-home), employment support

MOCEANS Center for Independent Living → Independent living, support coordination, youth transition, education & advocacy

New Horizons in Autism → ABA therapy, day programs, residential services

The Open Door of NJ → Day program, pre-vocational program, residential services

PrimeTime Center → Adult day programs (life skills, recreation, social skills, employment skills)

Prism Support Services → Support coordination

Royal Community Support → Community-Based living and support, in-home support, behavioral services

Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services → Employment training, academic support, social support, clinical services

Skylands Family Services → Support coordination

SPWA Services → Support coordination

21 Plus, Inc. → Residential services, employment services, supported employment

 

Autism Research

Autism Science Foundation → Research and information for caregivers

Eagles Autism Foundation → Funds research and offers “All Abilities” sports clinics

LifeSPAN Autism Lab (part of Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, and affiliated with Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services → Conducts research that aims to advance understanding of autism in adulthood

Organization for Autism Research (OAR) → Funds studies on subjects such as education, communication, parent and teacher training, social skills, employment, etc.

 

Disabled Individual and Caregiver Support and Assistance

Autism New Jersey → Information about autism, education and training, caregiver support and referral to specialists

• Hotline: 1-800-428-8476

Canine Companions → Service dogs

The Color of Autism Foundation → Provides support to african american families with autism

Mom2Mom Helpline → Peer support to caregivers

• Hotline: 1-877-914-6662

New Jersey Autism Warriors → Facebook group that provides peer support to caregivers

NJAAIDD → Funds emergency expenses of intellectually or developmentally disabled individuals where no other source of funding is available

Ocean County Family Support Organization → Peer support, family training

Ocean Partnership for Children → Care management and service planning for children with behavioral and emotional challenges (accessible through PerformCare)

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network → Caregiver support and resource center

 

Financial Resources

ABLE National Resource Center → ABLE accounts allow disabled individuals and their caregivers to save private funds to supplement benefits provided through Social Security and Medicaid

Disability Advice → Assists individuals with applying for Social Security Disability Insurance

New Jersey ABLE → Provides specific information on NJ’s ABLE program, including contact information

Medicaid (General Information) → Describes the eligibility requirements of applying for Medicaid to fund medical services and therapies

NJ FamilyCare → New Jersey’s Medicaid program - Apply for Medicaid on this site

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) → Provides monthly payments to disabled people who have little or no income  

 

Fitness, Wellness, and Sports

Aqua-Tots Adaptive → swimming lessons for children affected by IDD

Autism Movement Project → Physical fitness and team sports

Little League Challenger Division → Adaptive baseball program

ZR Fit and Wellness → Adaptive and inclusive fitness. Teaches individuals to use gym equipment. Also offers running, martial arts, and dance classes.

 

Government Resources

The Americans with Disabilities Act → The ADA Law, first enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination based on disability

New Jersey Department of Health → The New Jersey Autism Registry enables families to be referred to organizations that will assist them

New Jersey DHS - Division of Disability Services → Housing resources

New Jersey DHS - Division of Disability Services → Information on college resources and financial aid

New Jersey DHS - Division of Disability Services → Resources for financial assistance

New Jersey DHS - Division of Disability Services → Transportation services

New Jersey Disability Information Hub → Provides a gateway to assistance with all aspects of living with a disability – including transportation, emergency planning, legal and advocacy services, assistive technology, and much more

New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families → Works with disabled individuals and their caregivers to obtain services

New Jersey Family Care → Health insurance for those who don’t have employer insurance

 

Hobbies and Interests

The Art of Autism → Provides a forum for displaying and promoting the works of autistic artists, film producers, singers, and writers

 

Information and Referral

Autism New Jersey → Information and referral, public policy

• Hotline: 1-800-428-8476

New Jersey DOE – Office of the Special Education Ombudsman → Provides information and support to students, caregivers, and educators regarding special education rights and services

New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families → Works with disabled individuals and their caregivers to obtain services

Ocean County DHS – Children’s Inter-Agency Coordinating Council → Consisting of parents, service providers, and others, CIACC oversees behavioral health services in Ocean County

Ocean County DHS – Office for Individuals with Disabilities → Information and referral

Ocean County Health Department → Information and referral

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network → Information and referral, caregiver support and resource center

 

Legal Services

Community Health Law Project → Legal and advocacy services

Freeman Law Offices → Special education law, estate planning, adult services

Hinkle Prior & Fischer → Special education law, estate planning

Mack Rosenberg Law, LLC → Assists families in obtaining health insurance coverage for disability services

The Matus Law Group → Estate planning, guardianship, special needs trusts

Sussan Greenwald, & Wesler → Special education law, estate planning

 

Medical Specialists

Children’s Specialized Hospital → Developmental pediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists

Children’s Wellness & Developmental Center → Developmental evaluations, holistic evaluations, nutritional counseling, individual and family counseling

Developmental Pediatrics of Central NJ → Developmental pediatrics

Hackensack Meridian Health Child Evaluation Center at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital → Developmental evaluations, treatment, and referrals

KidZdent → Special needs dentistry

NeurAbilities Healthcare → Diagnostic services, neurological testing, developmental pediatricians, ABA therapy

Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates → Special needs dentistry

 

Multiservice Organizations (Provide Services for All Ages)

Advancing Opportunities → Residential services, assistive technology, educational advocacy

Bancroft → Services for all ages: diagnostic assessments, ABA therapy, assistive technology, severe behavior day treatment program, residential treatment

The Children's Home Society of New Jersey → Free developmental screening, advocacy, case management

Community Access Unlimited → ABA therapy, in-home respite, support coordination, day programs, housing, employment services

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health → Summer camp for ages 6+, behavioral health services, residential services, day programs, supported employment

Easterseals NJ → Summer camp for ages 6+, behavioral health services, residential services, day programs, supported employment

Eden Autism → School for ages 3 – 21, home-based ABA and speech therapy, adult employment training and housing

Family Resource Associates → Early intervention, therapeutic recreation programs, pre-vocational and educational classes for adults, family and sibling support groups

Ladacin Network → Early intervention, child care, school, therapy, day programs, vocational therapy, housing

New Jersey Institute for Disabilities → Early intervention, school, day programs, employment services, residential services, in-home supports, life skills development

Owen Health Care → Respite for children, support coordination, individual support, supported employment

PCDI → Early intervention, school for ages 3 – 21, adult life skills program, housing

SERV Behavioral Health System, Inc. → In-home services, vocational training, residential services

 

New Jersey State and Ocean County Services

If you live in Ocean County and you have concerns about the development of your child who is under the age of 3, contact the Ocean County Special Child Health Services and Early Intervention Program at https://www.ochd.org/maternal-child-health-services or by calling 732-806-3930.

If you live in New Jersey, but outside of Ocean County, and have concerns about the development of your child who is under the age of 3, contact the state’s Early Intervention Services at https://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/for-families or by calling 1-888-653-4463.

For behavior therapy and respite for children under the age of 21, contact PerformCare (the New Jersey Children’s System of Care) at https://www.performcarenj.org or by calling 1-877-652-7624.

To inquire about home and community-based services for individuals 21 and older, contact the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) at https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd or by calling 1-800-832-9173.

To download the NJ Office on Autism’s publication Autism: A Family Guide to Navigating the NJ Service Systems for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities, click here: https://tinyurl.com/Autism-A-Family-Guide

 

Public Policy

Autism New Jersey → Public policy

National Council on Severe Autism → Public policy

New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities → Public policy

 

Safety

Ocean County Sheriff’s Office → Safety

 

Schools and Educational Resources (refer to “Multiservice Organizations” for additional schools)

Advancing Opportunities → Educational advocacy

The Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey → An arganization consisting of private special education dchools in North and Central New Jersey. Provides a school directory, and offers advocacy support and resources.

The Alpha School → School for ages 5 to 21

The Arc Family Institute → Educational advocacy

ASAH → A nonprofit organization consisting of private special education schools in New Jersey. Offers a toll-free parent assistance line, a private school placement toolkit, and a school directory

The Center School → School for ages 5 to 21

Children’s Center of Monmouth County → School for ages 3 to 21

Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center → School for ages 3 to 21, adult program for ages 21+ that focuses on employment training

Garden Academy” → School for ages 3 to 21

The Gateway School → School for ages 5 to 21

Graham Behavior Services → Educational advocacy

The Harbor School → School for ages 5 to 21

Hawkswood School → School for ages 3 to 21

New Jersey DOE - Office of the Special Education Ombudsman → Provides information and support to students, caregivers, and educators regarding special education rights and services

My Own Star, LLC → Educational advocacy

New Jersey DOE – Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities (In-State) → List of private special education schools that have been approved by the state of New Jersey

Ocean County College → Education (disability services) and summer camp

Ocean County Vocational Technical School → Has half-day pre-vocational training programs for neurodivergent high school students

Regional Day School at Jackson → School for ages 3 to 21

The Shore Center → School for ages 3 to 21

 

Social/Recreational

By Design Social Skills → Social skills groups for children and teens; counseling for all age groups

Camp Chatterbox → One-week overnight camp for individuals ages 5 to 21 who use AAC services

Camp Excel → Social skills groups and summer camp for children ages 5 to 18 with mild special needs

Camp Jaycee → Summer camp for adults

Camp Fatima → Free summer camp for children; free sleepaway weekends for adults

Daniel’s Music Foundation → Music classes (including free online and in-person group classes) for disabled individuals

Encouraging Kids Family Resource Center → After school, evening, and weekend programs for disabled students

The Friendship Circle of Central Jersey → Social and respite programs

Monmouth County Park System → Therapeutic recreation program offers specialized and inclusive programs, summer camps, adult day programs, and respite

Music for Autism → Free concerts for disabled individuals and their caregivers (in-person AND virtual)

POAC Autism Services → Recreational and support services, family training

Rising Treetops at Oakhurst → Summer camp, respite, after school program

RWJBarnabas Field of Dreams → Recreation center and sports complex

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym → Indoor play

 

Therapy (ABA, Cognitive Behavior, DIR/Floortime, Feeding, Occupational, Physical, Speech)

Anchor Family Solutions → ABA. Providers teach parents how to work with their children.

Attain ABA Therapy → ABA

Autism Spectrum Diagnostics and Consulting → Evaluation and diagnosis, cognitive behavior therapy, social skills groups

Bayada → ABA therapy

The Best Quality ABA → ABA therapy

Bierman Autism Center → Diagnostic assessments, ABA, speech, OT

Brain Builders → ABA, OT, speech, social skills groups

Brett DiNovi & Associates → ABA therapy

Busy Bees Kid’s Therapy → Feeding, Speech, OT, PT

Children’s Specialized Hospital → Speech, OT, PT, feeding therapy

Coastal Kids Learning Center → ABA consultation and parent training, tutoring, structured play group

Connect Plus Therapy → ABA therapy, social skills groups, after school programs, parent training

CrystalCare ABA → ABA therapy

Elevate Health & Therapeutic Services → ABA, speech, OT, PT, feeding therapy, and more

The Family Resource Network (includes the affiliate Autism Family Services of New Jersey) → ABA therapy

Graham Behavior Services → ABA therapy

Hybridge Learning Group → ABA, speech, OT

Inspire Behavior Consulting → ABA. Providers teach parents how to work with their children.

Ivy Rehab for Kids → PT, OT, speech, feeding

Kaleidoscope ABA Therapy Services → ABA therapy

Links ABA Therapy Solutions → ABA therapy

Mastermind Behavior Services → ABA therapy

Positive Development → DIR/floortime

Professional Therapy Associates → ABA therapy, speech, OT, PT, social skills

Proud Moments ABA → ABA therapy

The Puzzle Place Center for Autism → Intensive early intervention, speech, OT for young children

Rainbow ABA → ABA therapy

Seashore Pediatric Therapy Center → Speech, OT, PT

Sensory Playground → ABA, OT, PT, speech

Social Behavior Learning Solutions → Early intensive behavioral intervention, school readiness, social skills groups for young children

Speech Pathology Solutions, LLC → Speech therapy

Step Up Family Services → ABA therapy

Sunny Days Sunshine Center → ABA, OT, PT, speech, social skiills

Unlocked Potential → ABA therapy

Weisman Children’s → OT, PT, speech, feeding therapy

 

Therapy (Art, Play, Equine, Music)

Allaire Community Farm → Equine

Chariot Riders → Equine

HorseSense Therapeutic Center → Equine

Jennifer Lawrence Art Therapy → Art and play

Mosaic Music Therapy → Music

Special People United to Ride (SPUR) → Equine

Special Strides → Equine

 

• Autism Parents Support Group (for caregivers)
• Autism Society Southwest New Jersey Affiliate 532 (for caregivers)
• Autism Support Group for Teens, Young Adults, and Parents (for autistic teenagers and their caregivers)
• Autism Teens and Adults of NJ (for autistic teenagers and adults)
• Autistic Adults Jersey (for autistic adults)
• Autistic NJ Neurotribe (for autistic adults)
• New Jersey Autism Warriors (for caregivers)
• New Jersey Autism Moms (for mothers, grandmothers, and female legal guardians of autistic children)
• NJ Special Needs Connection (for caregivers – provides resources)
• Parent to Parent NJ (for caregivers)
• Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Other Support Needs (for caregivers of adults)
• Parents of Sensory Kids (for caregivers)
• A REAL Autism Support Group for Teens, Adults, and Parents (for autistic teens, adults, and caregivers)
• Sib20 (for siblings of disabled individuals; geared toward ages 18 – 30)
• SibNet (for adult siblings of disabled individuals)
• SibTeen (for teen siblings of disabled individuals)
• SibsNJ (for adult siblings of disabled individuals)

Autism Parenting Magazine is a reputable publication that contains helpful information to caregivers. Each year, it publishes an article describing the best apps for autistic individuals and their caregivers.

The link to the 2024 article, which reviewed the best apps of 2023, is below.

"The Best Autism Apps" According to Autism Parenting Magazine (2024)

→ Click here to read the sensory cookbook.

iPads preloaded with apps: LAMP Words for Life, Tobii Sono Flex, & My First AAC are available for in-house use at the Brick, Little Egg Harbor, & Stafford branches.

Patrons with library cards in good standing will be able to trial the apps before making the purchase for their home devices or to trial for students or patients.

AAC devices are augmentative/alternative communication systems that allow a person to communicate with those around them without speaking.  There are many different types of AAC but the most common are high-tech AAC Devices that allow a person to push a button to speak a message.  These are helpful for children or adults who have either lost the ability to speak or who are not able to speak well enough to clearly communicate everything that they want to say.  This includes some children with conditions such as autism, childhood apraxia of speech, and other types of speech/language delays.  These devices are sometimes called “communication devices” or “talkers.”

These devices are supported in full with funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the New Jersey State Library, award number LS-252474-OLS-22.

Frequently Asked Questions