Alabama

ALABAMA

ADA Center

Southeast ADA Center

1419 Mayson Street NE

Atlanta, GA, 30324

(800) 949-4232 (V/TTY)

(404) 541-9001 (V/TTY)

http://www.adasoutheast.org


Assistive Technology

STAR (Statewide Technology Access and Response for Alabamians with Disabilities)

602 S. Lawrence St.

Montgomery, AL, 36104

(800) 782-7656 (In AL)

(334) 613-3480

(334) 613-3519 (TTY)

http://www.rehab.alabama.gov/star


Autism

Autism Society of Alabama

4217 Dolly Ridge Road

Birmingham, AL, 35243

(877) 4-AUTISM

(205) 951-1364

http://www.autism-alabama.org


Career & Technical Education

Alabama State Department of Education

P.O. Box 302101

Montgomery, AL, 36130-2101

(334) 242-9111

https://www.alsde.edu/sec/cte/Pages/home.aspx


CHIP Program(health care for low-income uninsured children)

ALL Kids Children’s Health Insurance Program

Alabama Department of Public Health

201 Monroe Street, Suite 250

Montgomery, AL, 36104

(877) 774-9521

(334) 206-5568

http://www.adph.org/allkids/


D D Council

Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities

RSA Union Building

100 N. Union Street, Suite 498

P.O. Box 301410

Montgomery, AL, 36130-1410

(800) 232-2158

(334) 242-3973

http://acdd.org


Developmental Disabilities

Alabama Department of Mental Health

100 Union St.

Montgomery, AL, 36130-1410

(334) 242-3107 or (334) 242-3701

(800) 367-0955

contact form on web site

http://www.mh.alabama.gov/


Early Intervention

Alabama’s Early Intervention System

Department of Rehabilitation Services

Division of Early Intervention

602 S. Lawrence St.

Montgomery, AL, 36104

(800) 543-3098

(334) 293-7500

(800) 499-1816 (TTY)

contact form on web site

http://www.rehab.alabama.gov/ei


Epilepsy

Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama

3100 Lorna Rd., Suite 300

Vestavia Hills, AL, 35216-5452

(800) 626-1582 (In AL)

(251) 341-0170

mgarrett@efala.org

http://www.epilepsy.com/alabama


Independent Living

To find contact information for the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) in your state, contact:

Independent Living Research Utilization Project

The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research

2323 South Shepherd, Suite 1000

Houston, TX, 77019

(713) 520-0232 (V/TTY)

ilru@ilru.org

http://www.ilru.org


To find contact information for centers for independent living (CILs) in your state, contact:

National Council on Independent Living

1710 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, 5th Floor

Washington, DC, 20036

(202) 207-0334 (V)

(202) 207-0340 (TTY)

ncil@ncil.org

http://www.ncil.org


Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

The Arc of Alabama, Inc.

557 S Lawrence St.

Montgomery, AL, 36104

http://www.thearcofal.org/


Learning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities Association of Alabama

P.O. Box 244023

Montgomery, AL, 36124

tamara@ldaa.org

https://ldaamerica.org/lda-chapters/alabama/


Mediation

Alabama State Department of Education

50 North Ripley Street

PO Box 302101

Montgomery, AL, 36104

(334) 242-9700

http://www.alsde.edu


Mental Health

NAMI Alabama

4122 Wall Street

Montgomery, AL, 36106

(800) 626-4199 (In AL)

(334) 396-4797

terri@namialabama.org

http://www.namialabama.org


Mental Health – Youth

Office of Children’s Services

Alabama Department of Mental Health

P.O. Box 301410

Montgomery, AL, 36130-1410

(334) 353-7110

contact form on web site

http://www.mh.alabama.gov


Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Alabama PTA

470 S. Union Street

Montgomery, AL, 36104-4330

(800) 328-1897

(334) 834-2501

al_office@pta.org

http://www.alabamapta.org


Parent Training and Information Center (PTI)

Alabama Parent Education Center (APEC)

10520 US Highway 231

Wetumpka, AL, 36092

(866) 532-7660

(334) 567-2252

apec@alabamaparentcenter.com

http://www.alabamaparentcenter.com


Protection & Advocacy

Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP)

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487

(205) 348-4928

http://adap.ua.edu/


Relay Services

(800) 548-2547 (V)

(800) 548-2546 (TTY); 711 (TTY)

(888) 229-5746 (Speech to Speech-English)

(866) 260-9470 (Speech to Speech-Spanish)


Special Education

Special Education Services

Alabama Department of Education

P.O. Box 302101

Montgomery, AL, 36130-2101

(800) 392-8020 (in AL)

(334) 242-8114

http://www.alsde.edu/


Special Format Library

Alabama Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

6030 Monticello Drive

Montgomery, AL, 36130-6000

(800) 392-5671

(334) 213-3906, ext. 921

fara.zaleski@apls.alabama.gov

http://statelibrary.alabama.gov/


Special Health Care Needs

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services

Children’s Rehabilitation Service

2129 East South Boulevard

P.O. Box 11586

Montgomery, AL, 36111-0586

(800) 441-7607

(334) 281-8780

(800) 846-3697 (in AL)

melinda.davis@rehab.alabama.gov

http://www.rehab.alabama.gov/crs


Family Voices

1050 Government Street

Mobile, AL 36604-2402

877-771-FVOA

http://familyvoicesal.org/


Speech and Hearing

Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama

3416 Primm Lane

Birmingham, AL, 35216

(256) 823-6106

Info@AlabamaSHAA.org

https://www.alabamashaa.com/


State Web Site

Connect with your state’s official website to find all manner of state agencies and information, including how to contact your governor and/or your representatives in the Senate and House:

http://www.alabama.gov/


Transition Services

Special Education Services

Alabama State Department of Education

P.O. Box 302101

Montgomery, AL, 36130

(334) 242-8114

droth@alsde.edu

http://www.alsde.edu


UCEDD

Civitan International Research Center

University of Alabama at Birmingham

933 19th Street South, CH19 Room 307(Location)

1720 2nd Avenue South, CH19 Room 307 (Mailing)

Birmingham, AL, 35294-0021

(800) 822-2472

(205) 934-0021

fbiasini@uab.edu

http://www.circ.uab.edu


Vocational Rehabilitation

Department of Rehabilitation Services

2129 East South Boulevard

Montgomery, AL, 36116

(334) 281-8780

steve.shivers@rehab.alabama.gov

http://www.rehab.alabama.gov/vrs


Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network

1521 E. 9th Street

Anniston, AL, 36207

(866) 737-8252

(256) 237-3683

alabamarespite@aol.com

http://alabamarespite.org


Alabama APSE, The Network on Employment

P.O. Box 11586

Montgomery, AL, 36116

(334) 613-3527

byron.white@rehab.alabama.gov

http://www.al-apse.org


Easter Seals Alabama

5960 E. Shirley Lane

Montgomery, AL, 36117-1935

(800) 388-7325

(334) 395-4489

info@al.easterseals.com

http://www.alabama.easterseals.com


Governor’s Office on Disabilities

560 South Lawrence Street

Montgomery, AL, 36104

(334) 293-7189

(888) 879-3582

graham.sisson@good.alabama.gov

http://www.good.alabama.gov


Lakeshore Foundation

4000 Ridgeway Drive

Birmingham, AL, 35209

(888) 868-2303 (In AL)

(205) 313-7400

http://www.lakeshore.org

FAQS RESOURCES REGISTER DONATE
Newborn Genetic Screenings

The Power of Newborn Genetic Screenings: How Newborn Genetic Screenings Can Change the Diagnosis

By Penelope Gatlin • 05 Oct, 2023
By Penelope Gatlin October 2023 When our son was born in 2012, he was hypotonic, severely jaundiced, had feeding difficulties and features such as epicanthic folds and small low set ears. We were told immediately that doctors had suspicions of a genetic syndrome. At that time, genetic testing was limited and once abnormal karyotype, Trisomy 21, and Fragile X were ruled out, we left the hospital with an 8 day old and no diagnosis. While no testing was available at that time to identify the ultra-rare syndrome my child had, because it wouldn’t even be identified until 4 years later, I can only imagine the difference it would have made to our journey to have such an answer sooner. Instead, we were unprepared and actually unaware that just because a diagnosis hadn’t been made then that it didn’t mean there wasn’t in fact a rare disease present. Instead, we dealt with issues as they came and worried and wondered what would be next. From feeding issues and reflux and constipation, to low muscle tone and delayed walking, to speech delay, social and emotional delays, toileting delays, diagnoses of developmental delay, anxiety, situational mutism, sensory processing disorder, and autism, until finally genetic testing that revealed the diagnosis that we’d waited 7 years to find out. While receiving a diagnosis can seem scary, not having an answer but knowing there must be one is even more so. In 2019, the day I clicked onto the portal to see the test results, the largest word on the page was POSITIVE. My heart stopped for a second. For the first time, I read the words “Okur-Chung Neurodevelopmental Disorder.” A roller coaster of emotions ensued, including sadness that we hadn’t known this from birth because it would have made us as parents more prepared, and given us more understanding about what might arise next. Relief that we had an answer, grateful that this syndrome had been identified and that he was among one of the first hundred diagnosed with it in the world, and glad we had the privilege to have access to the testing. Excitement that we can participate in future research. Fright that there’s so much we don’t know about OCNDS, and happiness that there is something that we do. A feeling that we are no longer shooting in the dark and have a small but supportive community to rely on and learn from. I am hopeful that one day, all newborns with features like my child will be tested at birth, so parents can have access to the answers, support, and interventions and therapies that can best help their child as soon as possible.
Autism Diagnosis

Why I Should Have Gotten the Autism Diagnosis for My Child Early On (or Why I Did Not)

By Terri Jordan • 23 Aug, 2023
For 16 years, my child displayed numerous symptoms that left us searching for answers, but a genetic diagnosis remained elusive. I considered having my child evaluated for autism to shed light on their situation. However, when I reached out to teachers, doctors, and therapists, I received frustrating responses: “Your child is too friendly to be autistic.” This statement made me doubt the possibility of autism because my child was sociable. “Your child can transition from one activity to another – they are not autistic.” Hearing this, I questioned whether my child’s ability to shift activities invalidated the need for an autism evaluation. “Your child can look me in the eye and answer questions – they are not autistic.” Observations like this made me second-guess the idea of autism, even though my child faced various challenges. “Getting a diagnosis that does not apply to your child would be a big waste of money.” Despite my persistent concerns, this cautionary advice about the evaluation costs left me hesitant. We finally pursued an evaluation when my son turned 20, and it confirmed that he is indeed on the autism spectrum (severe side). Looking back, I regret not taking this step sooner. I should have pursued the autism diagnosis before we received the genetic diagnosis. There are several benefits we could have gained as a family if we had pursued an early diagnosis: “Early Support Is Crucial:” I now realize that early intervention could profoundly impact my child’s development. We could have accessed the right services and therapies much earlier with a diagnosis. “Understanding My Child Better:” I struggled to comprehend my child’s behaviors and communication difficulties. An earlier diagnosis could have provided insights into their unique needs and thought processes. The education could also help me explain how to react to my child’s behavior to family members. “Tailored Guidance and Resources:” A diagnosis could have opened doors to specialized resources and guidance, enabling me to provide the best possible support for my child. “Connecting with Others:” Being part of the autism community might have connected us with other parents who understand our experiences. Sharing and learning from each other could have been invaluable. “Planning for the Future:” Knowing more about my child’s strengths and challenges could have helped me better plan their future, including education, career, and overall well-being. Depending on your location, many states offer funding and support if your child has an autism diagnosis. I wish I listened to my voice instead of being swayed by experts who didn’t fully understand my child’s situation. Ultimately, I know this decision is significant, requiring careful consideration by parents. Looking back, I wish I had trusted my instincts and sought an evaluation sooner to improve my child’s life.
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