About Us
The main organizations in New Jersey that serve families with a member with an Austism Spectrum Disorder are:
About Us
AutismResourceNet (ARN) is a free web tool providing a wide range of information about support, resources, and services for families with a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The ARN is maintained by MonmouthCares, Inc. in support of the work at KIDDS (K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital Integrated Diagnostic and Developmental Services).
The Child Evaluation Center and the KIDDS Program (K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital Integrated Diagnostic and Developmental Services) at Jersey Shore University Medical Center provides comprehensive services for children with developmental delays including team secondary screening and diagnostic assessments. Timely secondary screening allows for children to be seen quickly and begin therapy services while going through the diagnostic process.
Specific goals of the KIDDS Program include:
- Promote early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Primary Care offices
- Implement secondary screening program through the Infant Toddler Assessment Program for children younger then 3 years of age
- Provide timely comprehensive assessment, diagnostic and care management for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Expand, Enhance and Coordinate language, social skills, behavioral therapy and other services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Collaborate with community agencies to increase community awareness and support services for families and professionals
MonmouthCares, Inc., is a private non-profit agency that is part of the New Jersey Division of Behavioral Health Services (DCBHS) System of Care for Children. We are a Care Management Organization that uses a wraparound model to help children and families. To explore more resources, go to the Monmouth Resource Net.
The purpose of the ARN is to be a complementary and niche application to support the following:
- To serve as an outreach tool for creating a connection between the Early Autism Center with families that have a child with Autism, as well as the general public.
- To provide a local and regional resource directory of providers and specialists;
- To provide an interactive platform for families to connect with KIDDS' expertise.
- To provide a collaborative platform for providers and educators to communicate with families.
- To serve as a forum for social support, parent networking, and brainstorming financial strategies.
- To be a safe place for people to share personal stories and learn ways to improve quality of life.
The ARN is intended to provide visitors with background information about KIDDS and the approach a resource provider takes in working with families that have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The descriptions, categorizations, and contact information for each resource qualifies for families how they may benefit from working with a particular resource. Correspondingly, the ARN also provides a way for specialists and providers to explain to families and the general public the distinct services they offer. We would like the ARN to be something that assists families in taking next steps and making decisions on how best to care for their child with an autism diagnosis.
The Early Autism Center, called “KIDDS,” is state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and management for underserved children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The creation of KIDDS has enhanced existing clinical services and created a comprehensive “medical home” for children diagnosed with autism.
The population that KIDDS works with is young children (2-5 years old) with special emphasis on those from lower social-economic backgrounds.
The five components of KIDDS include:
- Early Identification
- Diagnostic Services
- Physician Training
- Expanded Treatment Services
- Community Outreach and Education