Local resources

 

Local organizations and professionals familiar with Williams syndrome and related issues are important resources.

To be listed here, service providers must be recommended by other families of individuals with Williams syndrome. These professionals either have direct expertise with Williams syndrome, or have provided excellent service to people with WS in the course of their standard practice.

In addition to direct service providers, it is important to have the right information for your locale since most organizations, agencies and regulations are administered at a local level. Many national organziations also have local offices and/or contacts in your area. Having local contacts for information can make your search for support much easier.

These local resources are listed here under the following headings.

If the services you are looking for, or the location you are residing in, are not listed here, please contact your Regional Co-Chair in person for further assistance.

 

DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS [back to top]

This information is currently being compiled.
Please contact your Regional Director in person for further assistance.

 

SPECIALISTS [back to top]

This information is currently being compiled.
Please contact your Regional Director in person for further assistance.

 

LEGAL AND ADVOCACY SERVICES [back to top]

MICHIGAN - West Michigan Inclusion Network
Service: Education & Support on Inclusion of Special Needs students in regular ed
The mission of WIN is to promote the effective inclusion of students with disabilities into general education classrooms with appropriate supports and services. We believe that the education of parents, educators and education students is key to making inclusive education work. We believe that all parents need to fully understand their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504 in order to effectively advocate for their child's inclusion.

Regional Director Comments:
This organization offers a fantastic 1 day seminar every October that is very informative, I would urge you to attend even if your child is not "included". They have great information on educational strategies & other resources.  
OHIO - The Inclusion Network
Service: This group helps to raise awareness of inclusion, recognize exemplary inclusive efforts, provide technical assistance and link individuals with and without disabilities. The Inclusion Network is a non-profit organization whose staff and volunteers partner to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati community.

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE [back to top]

This information is currently being compiled.
Please contact your Regional Director in person for further assistance.

 

SUPPORT GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS [back to top]

INDIANA - Indiana Parent Information Network
Service: IPIN provides Information, Peer Support and Education for parents of disabled children
 
MICHIGAN - Parent to Parent of SW Michigan
Service: Support and Networking for parents of disabled children

Regional Director Comments:
This is a great organization based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They match up parents with "support parents" based on information you supply. For instance, they can match you up with another family who has a child with the same disability, or someone that has a disabled child in your school district, or a family that has seen a particular doctor you may want to check out, etc.. They also have a great database of local community services for children with disablities, like gymnastics programs that take kids with disabilities, to camps to sports organizations, etc.  

STATE/LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES [back to top]

This information is currently being compiled.
Please contact your Regional Director in person for further assistance.

 

STATE/LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES [back to top]

INDIANA - First Steps
Service: Early Intervention Services for infants & toddlers with disablities or developmental delays

 
INDIANA - Assistive Technology Through Action in Indiana a.k.a. "ATTAIN"
Service: Assistive Technology Assessments
 
MICHIGAN - Early on of Michigan
Service: FREE Early Intervention Services for children with disablities or developmental delays who are between the age of birth to 3
If you suspect your child has a developmental delay or an associated medical condition or disability, contact Early On Michigan to get connected with a local coordinator to see if your child is eligible for services.Early On Michigan services can include: Speech pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, psychological services, service coordination, diagnostic medical services, early identification, screening, assessment services, health services, nursing services, social work services, vision services, special equipment, nutritional counseling, transportation, counseling (family, group, individual), family skills training, home visits, and special instruction.

Regional Director's Comments:
This FREE service was a crucial part of our family being introcuded to the "world of disabilties". There are services available in every community, so you will be able to see someone locally. Our son was evaluated and received, occupational therapy, physical therapy and "teacher services", which played a huge role in what he is able to do today. I can't recommend this enough. Make sure you look into this.
    Early On of Michigan
    3536 Merridian Cross Drive, Suite 220-310
    Okemos MI 48864
    Tel: (800) 327-5966
    Web: www.earlyonmichigan.org
 
MICHIGAN - Michigan's Assistive Technology Resource a.k.a. "MATR"
Service: FREE Assistive Technology Assessments

Regional Director's Comments:
This is a FREE service provided to Michigan families. This organization provides assistive technology assessments for persons with disabilities. Your school must make the "referral" to MATR you just need to ask them to do it. We just had an assessment done for our son and it was very helpful. This is how the process worked, I called the school and asked them to make a referral, they contacted MART and filled out the paperwork, then an appointment was set up for our son, us, his spec. ed. teacher, his reg. ed. teacher, and his aide to visit MATR for a 2 1/2 hour assessment with their team of Occupational Therapist trained in Assistive Technology. During the assessment they asked us to describe a typical school day for our son, the expectations, and areas of difficulty. Afterwhich, thier team had our son try out several different computer programs, as well as special devices for better posture etc. This is just an example of what we went through, but each child's needs are different and they had shelves and shelves of materials and devices to help students with all kinds of needs. I would highly recommend investigating this service.
    MATR
    1023 South U.S. 27
    St. Johns, MI 48879-2424
    Tel: (800) 274-7426
    Web: www.matr.org
 
OHIO - Family Information Network a.k.a. "FIN"
Service: (FIN) is a statewide parent network designed to keep family perspectives at the forefront of Ohio's Early Intervention system by offering support through information and education to families of young children with disabilities and the professionals who serve them.

Regional Director's Comments:
This is a FREE service provided to Ohio families.  

STATE/LOCAL POLICY REFERENCES [back to top]

This information is currently being compiled.
Please contact your Regional Director in person for further assistance.

 

 
© 2008 Williams Syndrome Association