Patient Resources

Educational materials, support networks, and helpful tools for families navigating special healthcare needs

Helpful External Resources

Filter by Topic

Educational Resources

Where's my Sketchers

Shoe Compatible with Apple AirTag

AutismADHDSafetyElopement

AngelSense

AngelSense is an assistive technology that includes a proactive monitoring & alerting system, an app for caregivers, and a wearable device with an auto-pickup speakerphone and SOS button.

ADHDAutismElopementSafety

Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver of Madison County provides wristband transmitters at no cost to people with Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, or other cognitive disorders who have a history of wandering and becoming lost.

ADHDAutismElopementSafety

Shoe Insert for use with airtag

DESIGNED FOR AIRTAG: Designed for use with the airtag tracker, this insole is placed discreetly in the arch of the insole so it cannot be lost or interfered with by signals from metal or other devices. In addition, the insoles can be trimmed.

AutismADHDElopementSafety

Ask a Special Education Attorney. Gallini Group

HAVE A SPECIAL EDUCATION QUESTION? JUST ASK! Become a member of our Facebook Page where our experts answer complex questions related to special education and disability laws.

AdvocacyAutismDown SyndromeADHDEducationEmploymentSupportLegalGovernment

Mitchell's Place

Mitchell’s Place specializes in improving the lives of children affected by autism and other developmental disabilities, and also focuses on early learning for preschool aged children.

AutismEducationPediatricTherapySupport

Glenwood

Dedicated to serving children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other behavioral health needs. Assessment and Therapy, Behavioral Therapy Center, Mallie M. Ireland Children’s Center, Residential Programs, Education & Training, Community Programs

AdultAutismDown SyndromeEducationPediatricRecreationResidentialSupportTherapy

The ARC of Central AL

The Arc of Central Alabama provides services to over 1,200 people throughout both Jefferson and Blount counties. Services are provided via: Community & Day Programming Residential Services for over 265 individuals in 89 homes Early Intervention for toddlers and their families Employment Support

ResidentialEmploymentTherapyPediatricSupportEducationAdultDay ProgramRecreation

Next Step Farms

Next Step Farms is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing day programs which teach important life skills to individuals with special needs, ages 18 and older. Our programs include everything from planting food and raising animals to mechanical skills, computers, basic finance and general life skills.

EducationSupportDay ProgramAutismADHDAdultRecreation

Patterson Place

Our program is an innovative vocational community for adults with special needs.​ A place where our Citizens with disabilities will continue to learn and work; being celebrated and empowered in a God-centered environment as they engage in meaningful work and service

AdultAutismDay ProgramDown SyndromeEducationEmploymentRecreation

Supplemental Security Income

SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources. Adults and children might be eligible for SSI if they have: Little or no income, and Little or no resources, and a disability, blindness, or are age 65 or older.

AdultAutismDown SyndromeFinancialSupport

8th Street Community

Eighth Street is a community of diverse disabled adults with limited financial resources, who live as a family in homes that provide opportunities to enable them to grow and engage in OUR community.

AdultResidential

Walmart + Assist

Walmart+ Assist is a program where eligible customers are able to join Walmart+ at a discounted rate. This program is offered to anyone who qualifies for government assistance programs and can offer sufficient documents to prove their eligibility. Eligible programs include SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, TTANF, NSLP and LIHEAP.

AdultAutismDown SyndromeFamilyFinancialGovernmentPediatricSupport

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, infants, and children under the age of five.

FamilyPediatricSupportFinancial

Test

Therapy

Test

Therapy

ABLE account

Financial

Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP)

SupportLegalAdvocacyEducation

A Right Not A Favor

IEP and 504 special education rights.

EducationLegalAdvocacy

Big Red Safety Box

Free autism safety box. Just pay ship Door alarms, car decal, shoe tag

AutismSafety

BUDS Bringing up Down Syndrome

local support group and nonprofit.

SupportFamilyDown Syndrome

CARE binder

AutismSafetyMedical

FERPA records request from school

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, forms compilated by Bo Johnson Law Firm.

EducationLegalFamilyAdvocacy

HBCS Medicaid Waivers

Home and Community-Based Waiver Services are available to eligible Medicaid recipients who are at risk of needing care in a nursing home, hospital or other institution. Clients (the child) must meet financial (child's income), medical and program requirements and must be willing to receive services in their homes or communities. Waiver program enrollment is limited and a waiting period may be necessary.

SupportInsuranceMedicalRespiteFinancialAutismFamily

NDSS

National Down Syndrome Society

Support

HEARTS Respite

The H.E.A.R.T.S. (Help Emergency and Respite Treatment Service) program is designed to provide respite care for families of children with special needs up to age 19

FamilyAutismFinancialRespiteDown Syndrome

Wildflower Wonders

play groups, using social and behavioral skills, in the next year hoping to have summer camp, after school care, and other group opportunities for neurodiverse children in our community to receive exciting opportunities like their peers, while offering a respite for parents who need to drop off and pick up their child Founder, Dr. Vicki Howell holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Special Education from Nova Southeastern University. She offers special education advocacy through her website as well.

EducationSupportTherapyAutismRespite

SPARK

SPARK is an autism research study and a growing community of autistic individuals, their families, and researchers on a mission to advance the understanding of autism.

AutismSupportResearch

Merrimack Hall

The focus of Merrimack’s mission is to provide visual and performing arts education to children and adults with special needs, but the heart of Merrimack is the community of lives that have been connected through the arts.

EducationSupportRecreationAdultPediatric

William "Bo" Johnson, attorney/advocate

Legal Advisory, Advocacy, Dispute Resolution, and Litigation Services for Families Facing Education and School-Related Challenges

EducationSupportLegalAdvocacy

Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network

Respite Care is temporary short-term relief for caregivers of individuals with special needs such as: developmental and physical disabilities or other chronic illnesses that are related to health concerns, medical fragility, or for those at risk of abuse and neglect. The primary purpose of respite is to give relief to families and caregivers from the extraordinary and intensive demands of proving ongoing care in the home.

SupportMedicalRespiteAdult

Child Care Enhancement with a Purpose

CCEP (Childcare Enhancement with a Purpose) offers free inclusion training to childcare providers statewide. CCEP utilizes experienced teachers and therapists to share simple, practical ways to work with and include children with special needs in childcare centers and family/group childcare homes. This program offers: A curriculum with a mulitdisciplinary approach which utilizes developmentally appropriate practices. Free training funding for substitute teachers during training. Educational kits. Clock-hour credit approved by the Department of Human Resources. Onsite consultation and technical assistance. Workshops.

EducationSupportAutismPediatric

Family Connections

Family Connections is a free parent-child program for children with special needs and their siblings (ages 18 months to 5 years). Family Connections provides parent training with a developmental specialist, parent/child playgroups (Family Fun Times), family events for networking and support, seasonal activities for children, resource information and referrals. Funded by the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/Children’s Trust Fund and the Jurenko Foundation.

SupportTherapy

Parents as Teachers

Parents As Teachers serves families with children from birth to age five by: Increasing the parents’ knowledge of early childhood development Improving parenting practices, Preventing child abuse, Preparing children for school success

EducationFamilyPediatricSupport

Crisis Services

Our 24/7 crisis line (HELP line: 256-716-1000), HOPE Place emergency domestic violence shelter, forensic exams, advocacy services, and 211 referrals ensure that survivors, families, and individuals in crisis can find safety, support, and resources—day or night, at no cost.

SupportMental Health

Help Me Grow

Help Me Grow Alabama connects families to health and developmental resources so children (birth to age eight) can start school healthy and ready to succeed

EducationSupportPediatric

Tourism ALL-a-Bama

Travelers: If you or someone in your life has diagnosed sensory sensitivities or are on the autism spectrum, you may be eligible to receive a FREE night stay at a certified Tourism ALL-a-Bama hotel. Or, use the resources available here to plan your next vacation!

AutismSupport

Free Mental Health Counseling

UCP Huntsville’s Family Wellness Initiative offers free counseling and support services for children and adults with disabilities, their family members, and professionals involved in their care. Services available: Individual Counseling, Couples Counseling, Group Counseling, Family Counseling, Training

SupportMental HealthFamily

RAN Regional Autism Network

The Regional Autism Network at the University of Alabama in Huntsville currently provides four types of support in North Alabama. Professional and Public education, Technical and Direct assistance.

AutismEducationSupportAdultPediatricGovernmentFamily

Tanya Hendrix HSV Estate Planning Attorney

Special needs trusts Families with special needs children have special considerations with estate planning. Huntsville estate planning attorney Tanya Hendrix discusses special needs trusts in this video.

LegalEducationSupport

AMBUCS

HSV AMBUCS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to providing mobility and independence to those with disabilities. Custom adaptive Tricycles for the mobility impaired

SupportPediatricAdultRecreation

TOP Soccer

The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, ages 6-18, who has a mental or physical disability

EducationRecreationPediatric

Miracle League of North Alabama

The Miracle League of North Alabama is a non-profit organization focused on providing a safe and enjoyable team sport experience for kids and young adults with physical or intellectual disabilities regardless of his or her experience level or ability. Players of all ages are welcome.

RecreationAutismDown SyndromeAdultFamilyPediatric

211 Help Line Connection

Dialing 2-1-1 connects you to a trained operator 24/7 that has access to a comprehensive database with a multitude of services in your community. By its design, the 2-1-1 system is ideally suited for serving as the initial contact point for any variety of programs. 2-1-1 is designed to assist families from all walks of life, but most importantly benefits our most vulnerable populations such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income by facilitating access to public services.

SupportInsuranceTherapy

North Alabama Community Care NACC

Mission: to provide comprehensive, quality based, and efficient care management services to achieve long-term quality of life and improve provider and community resource access for Alabama Medicaid recipients in the ACHN Northeast Region.

SupportInsuranceTherapy

One Door Alabama

One Door Alabama helps individuals learn where they can turn for assistance when trying to find support for a loved one who is aging, or has a disability. One Door Alabama is a partnership between the Alabama Medicaid Agency, Alabama Department of Senior Services, and Alabama Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

SupportInsuranceTherapy

Alabama Dept of Mental Health Autism Services

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

AutismSupportInsuranceGovernmentMental Health

TARCOG

Aging and disabled individuals can count on TARCOG’s ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center). ADRC offers assistance and support for almost every need, from guidance about available healthcare and prescription benefits to connecting people with local nutrition, transportation, long-term care, and wellness resources. If you are a senior or disabled, we’re here to help. Call directly at 256-830-0818.

SupportInsuranceFinancialTherapyRespitePediatricAutismFamily

Hidden Disability Sunflower

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.

FamilyTechnologyEmployment

Child Find

Any infant or toddler age birth to 3 with a delay of 25 percent or more in any of the major areas of development - cognitive, physical, communication, social or emotional or adaptive development - who lives in Alabama is eligible to receive supports and appropriate services through the state’s early intervention system. Children may be identified if a child has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that may contribute to a developmental delay

SupportTherapyGovernmentAdvocacyEducation

Seeds of Hope

To cultivate a community where mothers and female caregivers of loved ones with disabilities find strength, encouragement, and connection through shared experiences, prayer, and supportive services.

SupportFamily

Madison County 310 Board

Madison County 310 Board (MC310) is the single point of entry for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities seeking waiver services or additional resources.

SupportPediatricAutismGovernment

NARCOG

NARCOG is an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals and the livability of communities within Cullman, Lawrence and Morgan Counties. We connect families to programs and services that help older adults and disabled individuals.

LegalSupportInsuranceGovernmentFinancialFamily

Choose Act

CHOOSE Act Alabama makes refundable income tax credits called education savings accounts (ESAs) available to support the success of eligible K-12 students in Alabama. The first 500 ESAs awarded for participating students* with special-needs Second priority goes to participating students* who are dependents of active-duty service members enrolled in or assigned to a priority school

EducationSupport

Children's Rehabilitation Service

Children's Rehabilitation Service (CRS) is a statewide system of services for children with special health care needs and their families, and adults with hemophilia.

GovernmentSupportTherapyFamilyAdvocacy

ADRS

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) is the state agency that serves Alabamians with disabilities from birth throughout their lives. Our “continuum of care” approach means that help is here at every stage of a person’s life.

TherapyGovernmentTechnologyEducationEmploymentAdult

UCP Huntsville

The UCP Therapy Center offers physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies through Early Intervention (EI) and Children’s Therapy Services outpatient programs, as well as educational and social services to children with disabilities and their families in Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Limestone, Jackson and Cullman counties of North Alabama. These programs serve clients with cerebral palsy as well as those who represent 188 additional diagnoses.

EducationTherapyRecreationAdvocacySupport

Disability Advocacy Solutions

A non-attorney advocacy services company for individuals with disabilities and their families, built on the belief that advocates with lived experience are uniquely equipped to offer effective, empathetic, and empowering support

SupportLegalAdvocacy

Connect With Us

Stay Informed

Get the latest resources, tips, and updates delivered to your inbox.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.