Contacts
Here are some organizations to contact if you're concerned that your child may have a developmental disability -- or if you just want to help:
The Arc: Formerly known as the Association of Retarded Citizens, the Arc offers a range of services to children and adults with disabilities and their families, including respite care, job training, financial assistance, parent support groups and legislative lobbying. Orange County: 942-5119; Durham County: 490-5292; Wake County: 832-2660; for the Arc of North Carolina: 782-4632.
Family Support Network: Connects parents of special-needs children, offers financial aid, links special-needs children to services. The networks also match clients with child-service coordinators in local health departments, specialists who can navigate the maze of available government, private and nonprofit programs. Durham and Orange counties: 560-5600; Wake County: 662-4600, ext. 257; statewide Central Directory of Resources: (800) 852-0042; Web site: http://fsnnc.med.unc.edu/
Developmental Evaluation Centers: Part of the state Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, the DECs test preschool-aged children for signs of physical, learning and developmental disabilities. Children are usually referred to the centers by a doctor or case worker. Raleigh: 662-4600 (also serves Chatham, Johnston and Lee counties); Durham: 560-5600 (also serves Durham, Orange, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren counties).
TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children): A division of the UNC-CH psychiatry department, TEACCH is the country's first statewide research, education and support program for autistic children and adults. There are regional TEACCH centers in Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville and Wilmington. Telephone: 966-2174; Web site: http://www.teacch.com
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities: A Washington-based clearinghouse of scientific articles, guidebooks and other resources. Telephone: (800) 695-0285; Web site: http://www.nichcy.org
Autism Society of North Carolina: Statewide resource and support group for people with autism and pervasive developmental disorder, based in Raleigh. Telephone: 743-0204 or (800) 442-2762
Triangle Down Syndrome Network: Parent support groups, information and resources on Down Syndrome. Chapters in Angier, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Holly Springs and Raleigh. Telephone: 460-1995. Also, the National Down Syndrome Congress: (800) 232-6372 or the National Down Syndrome Society (800) 221-4602.
N.C. Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities: Monitors compliance with special education and anti-discrimination laws. Telephone: (800) 821-6922.
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center: Parent support, educational workshops, and lending library based in Davidson. Telephone: (704) 892-1321 or (800) 962-6817
Clinical Center for the Study of Development and Learning: A research arm of UNC-Chapel Hill that also trains professionals and offers some clinical programs. 966-5171; Web site: http://cdl.unch.unc.edu/
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