Links & Books

FILM-RELATED WEBSITES

Best Kept Secret
The film's website provides information about the film and filmmakers and ways to get involved.

RESOURCES

Autism

Autism Network International
This advocacy network of people with autism runs an annual national gathering. Many of the resources on the group's website are dated, but the collection of perspectives on the definition of autism and history of self-advocacy is valuable.

Autism Now
This website serves as a clearinghouse for information and resources related to living with autism spectrum disorder, and includes sections on employment, education, family life and community, as well as a searchable collection of relevant articles.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The website for this organization (mentioned in the film) run by and for people with autism offers a range of resources, including networking opportunities, policy briefs and a variety of projects that give voice to members.

Autism Society
This grassroots organization provides support, advocacy and research for people living with autism. The site's rich resources include clinical information, statistics and research reports, strategies for living with autism and family stories.

Autism Speaks
This advocacy organization supports research about all aspects of autism, including educational practices, as well as suggesting advocacy strategies and ways to support families of children with autism. The website includes links to social networking opportunities for people raising or helping children with autism.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
This division of the federal government's National Institutes of Health provides basic information about autism--what it is, what research is underway and where to find support. The website includes an extensive set of links to organizations that focus on autism. It also includes information in Spanish, as well as English.

Wrong Planet
Wrong Planet is an online community and discussion forum for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other neurological differences, as well as for their friends and family members and professionals in the field.

Adults with Autism

Adult Autism and Employment: A Guide for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals
This guide from the University of Missouri is designed for vocational rehabilitation professionals and includes extensive information and helpful practices and tips on adult autism and employment. The landing page also offers an Employment Fact Sheet, webcasts, and other resources.

Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism (AFAA): Resources
Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism is a consortium of organizations committed to supporting individuals with autism and their family members. The AFAA website offers extensive resources, including links to key organizations across the nation for adults with autism.

Aging with Autism
Aging with Autism recognizes that the experiences and needs of individuals with autism will change throughout their lives, especially as they transition to adulthood. The organization supports research and advocacy efforts that contribute to enriching the lives of adults with autism, and offers reports, guidebooks and other resources.

Autism After 16
Autism After 16 seeks to support families and their teens with autism and/or learning disabilities as they reach the transitional age of young adulthood. Their website provides information on a breadth of topics such as: employment, housing, finances, health, community support groups and the arts.

Autism Speaks: Transition Tool Kit
Autism Speaks provides a free tool kit to assist families of individuals with autism on their journey from adolescence to adulthood. The tool kit provides resources and materials (from housing to health to legal matters) to help family members of young adults with autism make a successful transition.

Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation: Supported Employment and Supported Volunteerism Training Manual
The Supported Employment and Supported Volunteerism Training manual assists employers who have newly hired employees or volunteers with autism by sharing insight on the characteristics of autism, and practical strategies that will enrich workplace experience and promote positive interactions with new employees or volunteers.

Organization for Autism Research: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood (English and Spanish)
Organization for Autism Research offers a guide book for families, educators and friends of individuals with a autism as they transition to adulthood. The guide book provides information on employment, postsecondary education and life skills to support those developing a plan.

Teaching/Education

Educate Autism
This site, created by U.K. educators, provides free materials for teachers (so they don't have to "reinvent the wheel") and an excellent set of links to articles describing various research-based teaching methods.

National Education Association: Autism Resources for Teachers
National Education Association provides an archive for educators who have students with autism in their classrooms. To enhance the classroom experience for both teachers and students, the website offers links to material on autism, effective teaching methods and strategies.

Special Education Guide
Special Education Guide presents information on the challenges parents and teachers of children with special needs face. Their Early Identification section provides a guide to the steps in early intervention, individualized family service plans, and more.

State of New Jersey Department of Education: Special Education
The special education website for the state of New Jersey--home to the school featured in Best Kept Secret--includes statistics, mandates, available programs and services and related resources.

TEACCH Autism Program
This program bases its approach on working with the strengths and needs of individuals with autism.

U.S. Department of Education: A Guide to the Individualized Education Program
Developed by the U.S Department of Education, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Individualized Education Program.