AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication
ABLE Achieving a Better Life Experience
ACA Affordable Care Act
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADRC Aging and Disability Resource Center
ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASC Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin
ASGW Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin
ASSEW Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin
AT Assistive Technology
BCBA Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BPDD Board for People with Developmental
Disabilities
CAM Complementary and Alternative Medicine
CCOP Children’s Community Option Program
CCR IEP College Career Ready
CCS Comprehensive Community Services
CESA Cooperative Educational Service Agency
CLTS Children’s Long-Term Support
CYSHCN Children and Youth with Special Health Care
Needs
DHS Department of Health Services
DPI Department of Public Instruction
DSAW Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin
EBP Evidence-Based Practice
FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education
GPS Getting Parents Started
HCOS Health Check Other Services
HCT Health Care Transition
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEP Individualized Education Program
IFSP Individualized Family Service Plan
ILC Independent Living Centers
LPHD Local Public Health Department
MA Medical Assistance (also referred to as Medicaid,
Title XIX or Title 19)
MDA Muscular Dystrophy Association
NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness
OCI Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
OCR U. S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights
OT Occupational Therapist
PCP Primary Care Provider
PT Physical Therapist
PTP Postsecondary Transition Plan
SFTA Supporting Families Together Association
SLP Speech and Language Pathologist
SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI Supplemental Security Income
WATI Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative
WCBVI Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
WESP-DHH Wisconsin Educational Service Program for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing
WI FACETS Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education,
Training and Support
WSD Wisconsin School for the Deaf
WSPEI Wisconsin State Wide Parent-Educator Initiative
IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL WORK DEVELOPED FOR THIS GUIDE THE FOLLOWING SOURCES WERE USED WITH PERMISSION:
Barbara Katz and Elizabeth Hecht, “Did You Know? Now You Know!” Training, Family Voices of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin (Updated 2019).
Identifying Resources for Children/Youth and Families – Appreciating the Big Picture, Making a Unique Journey, a presentation developed by the Southern Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Connections Community Training Team, Madison, Wisconsin (Updated 2019).
Next Steps – A guide for families new to autism spectrum disorders, 7th edition, Autism Society of Wisconsin and CESA 7, 2008/2009.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services website
and other websites listed throughout the Guide.
“Having a child with special needs is often a life-altering experience – but with the support of another parent we begin to see through the cracks and find joy in places we never could have imagined. Our journey continues, but this time we feel that we will survive because we know another parent who has.”



To view or download a pdf of Finding Your Way