Resources

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities

The Division of Developmental Disabilities empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed, healthy and meaningful lives.

The Autism Research Institute

To support the health and well-being of people affected by autism through innovative, impactful research and education.

The Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account/ESA

this program is administered by The Arizona Department of Education and is funded by state tax dollars to provide educational options for qualified Arizona students.

Arizona School Choice

Arizona School Choice was created to help parents in Arizona navigate the many educational opportunities available to their children as they progress through grade school and beyond.

Special Needs Resource Project

A great source to find resources in your community.

Raising Special Kids

Raising Special Kids exists to improve the lives of children with the full range of disabilities, from birth to age 26, by providing support, training, information and individual assistance so families can become effective advocates for their children.

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)

The SARRC is a nonprofit organization that helps to provide and contribute to autism research, education, evidence-based treatment, and community outreach.

AZ Autism Coalition

The Arizona Autism Coalition improves the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families in Arizona by sharing resources and affecting autism systems reform through state-wide collaboration and advocacy.

Autism Society

The development of five “core competencies” as a means to implement the Autism Society’s Mission and Vision is proposed in the Autism Society’s new strategic plan. Those areas include advocacy, education, support, services, and research.

Autism Now

The Autism NOW Center provides high quality resources and information in core areas across the lifespan to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, their families, caregivers, and professional in the field.

Scholarships

Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)

Corporate Scholarships

The Arizona Leadership Foundation proudly provides scholarship assistance to private schools and Lexie’s Law schools throughout Arizona with no preference to religious or political affiliation. Visit www.arizonaleader.org for more information.

Arizona Scholarship Fund

The mission of Arizona Scholarship Fund is to financially assist parents throughout Arizona in meeting the academic, social, and spiritual needs of their children by providing scholarships that will allow their children to attend the non-governmental school of the parents’ choosing. Visit www.azscholarships.org for more information.

Tax Credits Tops for Kids (TOPS)

TOPS for Kids purpose is to assist children in receiving an Arizona tuition scholarship to attend the private school of their choice. Scholarships are given from the contributions of AZ taxpayers who use the tuition tax credit program. Visit www.topsforkids.com for more information.

EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT

Available to Arizona students with an IEP, an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is a parent or guardian controlled bank account that can be used to pay for tuition and fees at ASCEND. This account is allotted directly to the parents or guardians and has the state funding that the child’s school would receive. The school and district are not involved with how the parent or guardian spends the funds. This program has been made possible by Arizona’s breakthrough education strategies to empower parents when choosing a school for their child.

How can I apply for an ESA?

Follow this link to the Arizona Department of Education website to apply.

How do I know if my child qualifies?

Children deemed eligible to receive special education services who attended an Arizona public school, received an ESA, or received a “Lexie’s Law” scholarship in the previous year may qualify for an ESA.