Alabama Autism Resource Center

Regional Autism Network (RAN) of Alabama

• Who RAN Serves: Alabama’s RAN serves those who have questions, concerns, or resource needs regarding themselves, a family member, friend, client, patient, or a student with diagnosed or suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

• Who RAN Is: Alabama’s RAN is staffed by experts in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Each RAN strives to connect people with ASD, their families, educators, and service providers to the information and/or services that best meet their needs. There are 5 different regions across Alabama: Region 1, University of Alabama in Huntsville; Region 2, University of Alabama; Region 3, University of South Alabama; Region 4, Auburn University; Region 5 University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• Services Provided by RAN:

  • Professional training programs

  • Technical assistance and consultation services

  • Individual and direct family assistance in the home, community, and school

  • Public education programs

• RAN Workshop & Event Calendar:https://ran.uah.edu/calendars/statewide-ran-calendar

• Contact RAN:

  • Main Website: https://mh.alabama.gov/aiacc/regional-autism-network/

  • Region 1 — University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH):

    • Phone: 256-824-5700

    • Email: uahran@uah.edu

    • UAH RAN Website: https://www.uah.edu/education/special-programs/regional-autism-network

  • Region 2 — University of Alabama (UA):

    • Phone: 205-348-3131

    • Email: ua-ran@ua.edu

    • UA RAN Website: https://cchs.ua.edu/ran/

  • Region 3 — University of South Alabama (USA):

    • Phone: 251-410-4533

    • Email: usaran@health.southalabama.edu

    • USA RAN Website: https://www.usahealthsystem.com/services/usa-regional-autism-network

  • Region 4 — Auburn University (AU):

    • Phone: 334-844-2004

    • Email: auran@auburn.edu

    • AU RAN Website: https://education.auburn.edu/serc/outreach/ran.php

  • Region 5 — University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB):

    • Phone: 205-934-1112

    • Email: uabran@uab.edu

    • UAB RAN Website: https://sites.uab.edu/cedd/programs/ran/

Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) Autism Services

• Who ADMH Serves: Autism services are available for Medicaid-eligible children and youth with autism, aged birth through 20, who require more intensive supports.

• Who ADMH Is: The Alabama Department of Mental Health is the designated, lead state agency for the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (AIACC), created by the Alabama Autism Support Act of 2009 (Act #2009-295).

• Services Provided by ADMH: Intensive Home-Based Services (IHBS), as applicable to children with youth with ASD or ASD with co-occurring I/DD, means a collection of discrete clinical interventions including Intensive Care Coordination, Therapeutic Mentoring, Behavioral Support, In-Home Therapy, Family Support and Peer Support that are provided to a child or youth in any setting where he or she may reside or in other community settings. The six IHBS are described below:

  • Intensive Care Coordination:
    Identification, coordination, and monitoring of an array of supports through needs assessment, case planning, service arrangement, social support, re-assessment, and follow-up/ monitoring by a single case manager.

  • Therapeutic Mentoring:
    Support, coaching, and training for an individual in age-appropriate behaviors, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and relating appropriately to peers and adults.

  • Behavioral Support:
    Development and monitoring of a behavior support plan designed to diminish, extinguish, or improve specific behaviors. The behavior therapist coordinates and trains others to implement the plan as well as provide crisis management.

  • In-Home Therapy:
    Treatment of the individual’s behavioral and mental health needs, includes effective support to enhance the family’s ability to improve the individual’s functioning in the home and community.

  • Psychoeducational Services:
    Training to help individuals and families understand the nature of diagnosis and effective strategies to maintain meaningful engagement in the community.

  • Peer Support:
    Promotion of socialization, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of community living skills. Peer specialists encourage participation in service planning, engaging supports, improving self-management, decision making, and navigating child-serving agencies.

• Contact ADMH:

  Chelsea Taylor, State Autism Coordinator
  1-800-499-1816 Toll Free
  334-557-1669 Fax

Autism Support of Alabama

• Who Autism Support of Alabama Serves: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

• Who Autism Support of Alabama Is: A nonprofit organization dedicated to improving services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families through education, advocacy, and community support

• Services Provided by Autism Support of Alabama: The Autism Support of Alabama helps approximately 600 individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their parents and their service providers on a monthly basis. Our current programs and services include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Information and Resources

  • Education (parents, providers, family members, etc.) through our quarterly newsletter, exhibitions, speaking engagements, etc.

  • Connect Groups for caregivers

  • Annual Alabama Autism conference for parents, doctors, teachers, service providers, and students

  • Collaboration efforts with other state agencies to provide services for persons with autism spectrum disorders

  These programs and services are funded through government grants, collaboration with other agencies/associations, donations and fundraising activities. The continuation and future success of these programs and services are dependent on fundraising efforts.  The fundraising efforts secure funds, promote awareness and serve as a powerful tool in changing the quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.

• Connect With Autism Support of Alabama:

  • Website: https://autism-alabama.org/

  • Event Calendar: https://autism-alabama.org/?post_type=tribe_events

  • Email: info@autism-alabama.org

  • Phone: 1-877-428-8476

  • Social Media: Instagram‍ ‍|‍ ‍Facebook

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (AIACC)

• Who the AIACC Serves: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

• Who the AIACC Is: The Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council was created to meet the urgent and substantial need to develop and implement a statewide comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. The lead agency is the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

• Connect With the AIACC:

  • Website: https://mh.alabama.gov/aiacc/

  • Public Meetings: AIACC meetings are open to the public and held quarterly in-person and via Zoom. You can view upcoming meetings on the AIACC site.

  • E-News Mailing List: Sign up for the AIACC e-news mailing list to be notified about upcoming meetings.

  • Contact AIACC:

    Chelsea Taylor, State Autism Coordinator
    1-800-499-1816 Toll Free
    334-557-1669 Fax