Local Autism Resources This resource referral list was developed by our group as one of our first projects. Please feel free to send us email if you have suggestions for additions to the list, or cannot find what you're looking for. Also, if you have had a bad experience with someone on this list, please let us know so that we can avoid referring others. Speech Therapy Joyce Baxter Pre-K Speech, Santa Cruz County Office of Education Marge Bittick, 831 685-1877 Private Speech Therapy, Aptos/Watsonville area; also works for Pajaro Valley Schools Michelle Winner, 408 879-0508 Private Speech Therapy, Los Gatos area; specializes in older children with autism Susan Schatz Private Speech Therapy, Salinas area Francine Hilaire, 408 649-5000 Private Speech Therapy, Monterey area Autism Specialists (Psychologists who evaluate children for Autism) Dr. Linda Lotspeich Stanford University Expert on autism. Excellent at independent evaluations, diagnoses, recommendations. Children's Health Council, 650 688-3623 Dr. Lori Bond. Diagnoses/evaluations. Social group/friends group for pre-K autistic children. Support/social groups for parents. Dr. Bryna Siegel University of San Francisco Occupational Therapy Pediatric Therapy Center, 831 684-1804 Private OT/Speech center. Pat Steffen-Sanchez, director Diane Sherman Private OT, Monterey Area Highly recommended Santa Cruz County Office of Education occupational therapists These OT's serve all north Santa Cruz county school districts: Sue Proctor, Cumba Siegler, Karen Rogers. Recreational Activities/Therapies Therapeutic Equestrian Vaulting, 831 464-9644 Horseback riding/vaulting for Children with Special Needs. Suzanne Carlton, owner. Soquel area Star Riders, 831 886-7872 P.O. Box 1568 Marina, CA Simpkins Swim Center, 831 454-7946 Swimming lessons, warm therapy pool. Live Oak area. Adventure Sports Unlimited, 831 458-3648 Swimming lessons, Santa Cruz area Kerns Memorial Pool Used for special needs/water therapy, Monterey area YMCA Salinas Will make accomodations for autistic children in swimming lessons Soquel/Capitola Little League Shared Adventures, 831 459-7210 Bringing outdoors to children with special needs AYSO Soccer League Will accommodate for children with special needs Manzanita Park, Prunedale area Ranger Explorers Summer 2-week, 3 hour per day program run by the state parks. Well run, with plenty of adults. Good for high functioning children. 335-3174 Biological/Nutritional Interventions Brainchild Nutritionals, 831 465-0104 Michael Lang, Nutritionist. Excellent line of natural supplements for Autistic and AD/HD children. Dr. John Wakefield, 408 366-0660 Environmental physician, experienced in DAN testing and interventions. Dentists/Eye Doctors Dr. Brent Porter, DDS, 831 476-5512 Pediatric Dentist, excellent with special needs children. Can do work under anesthesia in his office if needed. Dr. John Okuji, DDS, 831 459-9802 Pediatric Dentist, excellent with special needs children. Dr. Cammie Hunt, 831 336-2279 Eye doctor, great with kids. Psychologists/Counselors Dr. Donald Saposnek 476-9225 Psychologist with many years' experience with autistic children. Sees parents/children in private practice and will attend IEP's. Teaches at UCSC; has his university students help older autistic children with social skills development. Lots of experience with older/adolescent autistic kids Craig Clark, MFCC, 831 476-5758 Runs social skills groups for Aspergers and high functioning autistic kids, matched by age, for age 7-8 and up. Groups usually no more than 4 kids, focus on social skills, pragmatics, behavior and making friends. Also sees kids in private practice. Works with lots of adopted/foster kids, too. Education Advocates Jeffie Gellerman 209 786-3574 and Deborah Wright, 209 473-3419 (partners) Very outspoken, knowledgeable advocates; will attend IEP's, work with a lawyer. Jeffie and Deborah live in the central valley area, but travel all over California. ABA Consultants/Therapists Colleen Murrer, Located in Carmel Valley, used to work for CARD, now in private practice. Supervises ABA programs. Kevin Dotss Located in San Jose, used to work for CARD, now in private practice. Supervises ABA programs. UCSC Psychology department, field placements office, 459-4410 Trish O'Connor. Places UCSC psych students in field positions. One possible source for ABA therapists. Services for Disabled People San Andreas Regional Center, 831 728-1781 Services for people with disabilities, including autism. Pay for respite care for parents. Easter Seals, 684-2166