Mississippi

Mississippi

ADA Center
Southeast ADA Center
1419 Mayson Street NE
Atlanta, GA, 30324
(404) 541-9001 (V/TTY)
(800) 949-4232 (V/TTY)
ADAsoutheast@law.syr.edu
http://www.adasoutheast.org


Assistive Technology
Mississippi Project Start
P.O. Box 1698
Jackson, MS, 39215
(601) 987-4872 (V/TTY)
dyoung@mdrs.state.ms.us
http://www.msprojectstart.org


CHIP
(health care for low-income uninsured children)
Mississippi Health Benefits
Division of Medicaid
550 High Street, Suite 1000
Jackson, MS, 39201
(601) 359-6050
http://www.medicaid.ms.gov


D D Council
Council on Developmental Disabilities
1101 Robert E. Lee Building
239 N. Lamar St.
Jackson, MS, 39201
(601) 359-1270
http://www.mscdd.org


Developmental Disabilities
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
1101 Robert E. Lee Building
239 N. Lamar Street
Jackson, MS, 39201
(601) 359-1288
www.dmh.ms.gov/who-we-are/idd-programs


Independent Living
To find out the contact information for the Statewide
Independent Living Council (SILC) in your state, contact:
Independent Living Research Utilization Project
ilru@ilru.org
http://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory


To find out the 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
(202) 207-0340 (TTY)
ncil@ncil.org
http://www.ncil.org


Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
The Arc of Mississippi
704 North President St.
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 355-0220
http://www.arcms.org


Early Intervention
First Steps Early Intervention System
Mississippi Department of Health
P.O. Box 1700
570 E. Woodrow Wilson
Jackson, MS, 39215-1700
(601) 576-7427
(800) 451-3903 (in MS)
web@HealthyMS.com
www.msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/41,0,74.html


Mediation
Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Special Education
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS, 39205
(601) 359-3491
jbounds@mde.k12.ms.us
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us


Mental Health
Department of Mental Health
1101 Robert E. Lee Building
239 N. Lamar Street
Jackson, MS, 39201
(601) 359-1288
ed.legrand@dmh.state.ms.us
http://www.dmh.state.ms.us


Mental Health Association of Mississippi
4803 Harrison Circle
Gulfport, MS, 39507
(228) 864-6274
info@msmentalhealth.org
www.msmentalhealth.org


NAMI Mississippi
2618 Southerland St
Jackson, MS 39216
(800) 357-0388
stateoffice@namims.org
http://namims.org/


Mississippi Families As Allies for Children’s Mental Health
840 E River Pl., Ste 500
Jackson, MS, 39202
(601) 355-0915
(800) 833-9671
http://www.faams.org/


Mental Health – Youth
Division of Children and Youth Services
Department of Mental Health
1101 Robert E. Lee Building
239 N. Lamar Street
Jackson, MS, 39201
(601) 359-1288
http://www.dmh.state.ms.us


Parent Organizations
SAFE KIDS Mississippi
2500 N. State St.
Jackson, MS, 39216
(601) 815-6212
efoster@umc.edu
https://www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-mississippi


Parents for Public Schools of Jackson
125 S. Congress St, Ste 1218
Jackson, MS 39201
(800) 880-880-1222
www.parents4publicschools.org


Parents United Together
P.O. Box 2121
Madison, MS, 39130
Mom424@aol.com


EMPOWER
741 Avignon Dr., Suite C
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 980-1897
http://empowerms.org/


Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Mississippi Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc.
P.O. Box 1937
Jackson, MS, 39215
(601) 352-7383
MissPTA@gmail.com
http://www.misspta.org


Parent Training and Information Center (PTI)
MS Parent Training and Information Center
2 Old River Place, Suite A
Jackson, MS, 39202
(601) 969-0601
(800) 721-7255
http://www.mspti.org


Protection & Advocacy
Disability Rights Mississippi
210 E Capitol St., Ste 600
Jackson, MS, 39201
(601) 968-0600 (V/TTY)
(800) 772-4057 (MS only)
info@drms.ms
http://www.drms.ms


Relay Services
(800) 582-2233 (V/TTY); 711 (TTY)
(800) 229-5746 (Speech to Speech-English)
(866) 260-9470 (Speech to Speech-Spanish)


Special Education
Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Special Education
PO Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 359-3498
http://www.mdek12.org/OSE


Special Format Library
Mississippi Library Commission
Talking Book Services
3881 Eastwood Drive
Jackson, MS, 39211-6473
(601) 432-4116
(800) 446-0892
http://mlc.lib.ms.us/tbs/


Special Health Care Needs
Children’s Medical Program
Mississippi State Department of Health
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS, 39215-1700
(601) 987-3965
(800) 844-0898 (National/WATS)
lawrence.clark@msdh.state.ms.us
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us


Speech, Language, and Hearing
Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association
P.O. Box 22664
Jackson, MS, 39225-2664
(800) 664-6742
http://www.mshausa.org


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.ms.gov


Transition Services
Office of Special Education
359 N West St., Suite 300
Jackson, MS, 39205
(601) 359-3498
http://www.mdek12.org/OSE/STS


UCEDD
The Institute for Disability Studies
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive, #5163
Hattiesburg, MS, 39406-0001
(601) 266-5163
http://www.usm.edu/ids


Vocational Education and Rehabilitation
Career & Technical Education
Department of Education
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS, 39205-0771
(601) 359-3088
http://careertech.org/mississippi


Mississippi Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Rehabilitation Services
P.O. Box 1698
Jackson, MS, 39215-1698
(800) 443-1000
http://www.mdrs.ms.gov/VocationalRehab/Pages/default.aspx


Institute for Disability Studies
Toy Library and Technology Learning Center
730 E. Beach Blvd.
Long Beach, MS, 95650
(228) 214-3223
sara.jackson@usm.edu
https://www.usm.edu/ids/index.php




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.
Share by: