• 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 South Carolina Autism Society chapter.

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

Advocacy

Disability Action Center

The Disability Action Center, Inc. (DAC), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, consumer-governed Center for Independent Living that serves the citizens of 23 South Carolina counties. Programs and services provide knowledge and tools to help people with disabilities recognize existing community resources, enhance personal opportunities and determine the future direction of their lives.

Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc.

Established in 1977 as the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for the state of South Carolina, Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. (P&A) is mandated by state and federal law to protect the rights of people with disabilities in South Carolina by enabling individuals to advocate for themselves, speaking on their behalf when they have been discriminated against or denied a service to which they are entitled, and promoting policies and services that respect their choices.

*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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Autism Waiver

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Education

SC Department of Education


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Community Resources

The Autism Advocate Foundation

The Autism Advocate Foundation is a non-profit organization formed in 2004 by parents of children with autism spectrum disorders living in Horry County, South Carolina. Our goal is to provide supports and services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders so that they may become active, contributing and fulfilled members of our community.

SC Children with Special Health Care Needs

Early Autism Project

The mission of the Early Autism Project, Inc., is threefold: to provide appropriate and effective ABA home and school programming that will enable each child in our care to reach his or her potential; to foster the close collaboration of parents and professionals who support the child; and to equip each child’s home or school team with ABA training and supervision that will ensure high-quality and consistent teaching, error correction procedures and behavioral intervention.

Family Connection

Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc., is a network of parents working with community professionals to provide parent-to-parent support and assurance to families with children of all ages who have special needs.

Family Resource Center for Special Needs and Disability

The Family Resource Center was organized to promote opportunities for learning, inclusion and empowerment for individuals with disabilities and special needs, their families, and their communities through education, advocacy and outreach.

The South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council

The mission of the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council is to provide leadership in advocating, funding and implementing initiatives that recognize the inherent dignity of each individual and promote independence, productivity, respect and inclusion for all persons with disabilities and their families.

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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