This July, our focus is on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) planning, and provide informational resources to make informed decisions for back-to-school support services. 

Did you know: An IEP provides specialized instruction for supports and services for students to succeed in grades K–12. A 504 plan is a broader plan to accommodate the entire learning environment for a person with disabilities, at both the K–12 and college levels.

We will also continue to share resources surrounding the 988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline. Depression affects up to 26% of adults with Autism. The implementation of the 988 lifeline, a three-digit number dedicated to mental health crisis care, will help provide solutions to some of the problematic crisis response protocols our system currently has in place. On July 16, 2022, the 988 lifeline will accept calls and texts from anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis.

988 Implementation and Launch

• Autism Society Resource: 988 Lifeline, What-To-Expect Checklist (Before, During and After)
• Community Connections: Implementing the 988 Number
• The Lifeline and 988
• 988: Reimagining Crisis Response 
• Consensus Approach and Recommendations for the Creation of a Comprehensive Crisis Response System
• 988 Mental Health Crisis Response
• How a 988 Crisis Response System Will Change How We Help People Experiencing Mental Health Crises
• 988 Messaging Framework
  • 988 Toolkit | Action Alliance Framework for Successful Messaging

IEP Preparation, School Support & Services

• Autism Society Resource: IEP Information
• Autism Society Resource: Making Informed Decisions
• Autism Society Resource: Guiding Principles
• The IEP Process
• IEP Best Practices Guide 
• Navigating the Special Education System (free PDF download)
• The Changing Implementation of Accommodations

Public Policy Resources

• FAQ for Understanding 988 and How It Can Help with Behavioral Health Crises
• Mobile Crisis Teams: A State Planning Guide for Medicaid-Financed Crisis Response Services
• Implementation of the 988 Hotline: A Framework for State and Local Systems Planning (Roadmap)
• 2022 is the 32nd ADA anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Use this toolkit to help plan celebrations.

The Autism Society’s National Helpline is here to support you and provide you with the resources you need. Our Information & Referral Specialists are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Eastern Time) at 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476) or info@autism-society.org.

The Autism Society’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. As the nation’s oldest leading grassroots Autism organization, the Autism Society and its 71 local affiliates serve over half a million members of the Autism community each year. It envisions a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it – including education, advocacy efforts, and supports and services throughout the lifespan. If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting our efforts through a donation, every bit helps. Donate here!