Recommended Resources
Utah Parent Center
The Utah Parent Center (UPC) is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides free education, advocacy resources, and support to families of children and young adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Founded by parents in 1983, it helps families navigate education, healthcare, and community services while promoting inclusion and independence.
CDC Autism Resources
CDC Autism Resources are the autism-focused information, tools, and public-health programs maintained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They combine practical guidance for families and professionals with developmental-monitoring tools, screening information, research, and population-level autism data.
Autism Society of America
The Autism Society of America is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting autistic individuals, their families, and communities through education, advocacy, and access to resources. Founded in 1965, it is one of the nation's oldest grassroots autism organizations, serving more than 500,000 people annually through its national office and affiliate network.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. It focuses on disability rights, public policy, leadership development, and promoting the inclusion of autistic people in decisions that affect their lives, guided by the principle "Nothing About Us, Without Us."
Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD)
The Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) is a state government agency within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It coordinates services and long-term support for eligible Utah residents with intellectual disabilities, developmental conditions, qualifying physical disabilities, and acquired brain injuries, emphasizing independence, community participation, and self-determination.
Utah Developmental Disabilities Council
The Utah Developmental Disabilities Council (UDDC) is a state-level advisory organization that advocates for Utahns with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Established under the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, it emphasizes self-determination, inclusion, leadership development, education, policy, and systems-level change rather than providing direct disability services.
Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) is a Utah government agency within the Department of Workforce Services that helps people with disabilities find employment, develop job skills, and live more independently. Operating for more than 90 years, it provides statewide rehabilitation services, specialized disability support, and assistance to employers seeking inclusive workplaces.
https://jobs.utah.gov/usor/index.html
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is a nonprofit organization focused on autism advocacy, research funding, education, and support services. Founded in 2005 in the United States, it has become one of the most prominent and widely recognized autism-related organizations, while also being the subject of significant discussion and criticism within parts of the autistic community.
Autism Legal Resource Center
The Autism Legal Resource Center provides information and professional guidance related to insurance coverage, Medicaid-funded services, education access, disability discrimination, and other legal or regulatory issues affecting autistic individuals and their families.
https://www.autismlegalresourcecenter.com/
Disclaimer: Connects provides these resources for informational purposes to help individuals and families explore additional support options. Inclusion on this page does not imply endorsement of every service or organization. Eligibility, availability, and program requirements vary. Please contact each organization directly for the most current information.
