FAQ from the Autism Source Information and Referral Center: Should I move?

December 13, 2012
By Autism Society

The question of where to live to get the best autism-related services is one we get very often. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to answer. 

Because there is such a wide variation of needs and desired services, it is very difficult to say an area that is "good" or "better." What is "better" for one person might be "worse" for another. People are looking for very different things, so what one person would consider good another would not (for example, some want segregated/specialized services, while others will only consider inclusive services). 

In an effort to respond to these types of inquiries, we have created Autism Source™, an online referral database to autism services and supports nationwide. 

The database is free, searchable by location or service type, and provides resource listings throughout the United States. Autism Source™ was created in 2004 and now contains well over 25,000 individual listings. Visit www.autismsource.org. 

If you are considering several states, you may search the resource database for services in those areas and also contact local Autism Society affiliates as well as other local support groups in order to talk to other parents of individuals on the autism spectrum to get a sense of the service delivery system in that state. To find these, go to www.autismsource.org, click on the service types, "Autism Society Chapters" and "Information and Support," and search a radius of a zip code of the area you are considering. 

You may also compare states by searching the "State Resource Pages" within Autism Source.™ State Resource Pages offer information on autism programs within each state, such as if the state has an Autism Task Force, Medicaid waivers, or Insurance Coverage for autism.