• Local Chapters
• Advocacy
• Public Policy
• Autism Waiver
• Education
• Community Resources
• Events
• Autism Source

Local Chapters

Autism Society chapters are your best source of information and support. Most chapters are volunteer-led by parents, care providers and other professionals. The Autism Society has chapters in nearly every state reaching out to individuals with autism and their families with information, support, and encouragement.

Contact a Montana Autism Society chapter.

Visit Autism Source to find local doctors, service providers and other useful resources in your area.

Advocacy

Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities

The Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities is a citizen-based advocacy group. Its members are appointed by the Governor to provide increased independence, integration and productivity for persons with developmental disabilities.

*Please note that in the context of Special Education Law, an "advocate" differs from an attorney in several ways. By definition, an "advocate" is one that supports or promotes the interests of another while an "attorney" is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on behalf of his or her clients. Although both may be able to help with your legal situation, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) only attorney's fees are recoverable to families prevailing in lawsuits. This delineation was the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision in Arlington Central School District Board of Education v. Murphy, 548 U.S. 291 (2006). There is currently legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would reverse this outcome (the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, HR 434).

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2008 State Autism Profiles - Montana

Disability Rights Montana

Disability Rights Montana provides information and referral, individual advocacy, legal representation, systems advocacy, and education and training. We work to promote self-determination, personal autonomy and self-advocacy.

People First Montana

People First is a self-governing, self-directing, self-advocacy organization. It is about people with disabilities working together and helping each other take charge of their lives. It teaches people with disabilities how to make decisions and choices that make them more independent.

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Autism Waiver

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Education

Montana Office of Public Instruction

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Community Resources

Department of Public Health and Human Services - Disability Services Division

The mission of the Disability Services Division (DSD) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is to provide services that help Montanans with disabilities to live, work and fully participate in their communities.The Division provides or contracts to provide a wide variety of services for Montanans of all ages who have physical, mental or developmental disabilities.

Parents Lets United for Kids

PLUK is a private, nonprofit organization formed by parents of children with disabilities and chronic illnesses for the purpose of information, support, training and assistance to aid their children at home and school, and as adults.

Family Outreach, Inc.

Family Outreach is a private, non-profit agency providing home-based education and support services to individuals throughout southwestern Montana who have disabilities or developmental delays.

Developmental Educational Assistance Program (DEAP)

DEAP is a private, not-for-profit corporation that provides a variety of family education and support, residential and crisis intervention services to families whose children are birth to 18 years of age and adults.

Job Connection

Job Connection, Inc., is a private, nonprofit corporation that specializes in supported employment. We contract with various government agencies to provide job placement and training to individuals with disabilities.


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Autism Source

To find more information in your state, please visit www.autismsource.org.

The Autism Society welcomes your comments: If you would like to make a suggestion or share beneficial resources not included in this page, please click here to fill out our contact form.

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Last updated: 22 January 2009