New to Autism?
Learn where to start, what questions to ask, and how to build a support team for your family.
Explore the basics →Because when we support parents, we open more possibilities for children. Find trustworthy resources, practical guidance, and a community that understands.
You don't have to figure everything out alone. Start with what you need today, at your own pace.
Learn where to start, what questions to ask, and how to build a support team for your family.
Explore the basics →Learn about educational rights, assessments, IEP meetings and working with your child's school.
Find school resources →Navigate regional centers, Early Start, IHSS and Medi-Cal using official California information.
Explore assistance →Find a reassuring space to learn, ask questions and connect with families facing similar decisions.
Join our village →Learn about choosing qualified providers and finding support that respects each child's needs.
Find guidance →Build confidence with practical steps to prepare for appointments and advocate for your child.
See your first steps →Connect with established nonprofits, self-advocacy networks and family organizations near you.
Find your people →Share this hub with the families you serve. Every link here points to an official or established source.
Browse the library →We're building this together. Tell us which resources, topics and tools would help your family most.
Share your feedback →Start with official sources. Every link opens trusted government, nonprofit or public-service information.
Resources are informational, not eligibility decisions or individualized legal, financial or medical advice. Always verify requirements with the responsible agency.
Write down what supports them, what feels difficult, and any questions you want answered.
Check school resources and your regional center, and ask what evaluations or supports may apply.
Find trusted family support, and seek licensed professional advice when you need specialized help.
Autism Family Bridge was imagined from one simple belief: parents deserve clear information, compassionate support, and a community that sees every child's unique strengths.
We aim to help families move from overwhelmed to informed - not by offering every answer ourselves, but by connecting them with reliable resources and the people who can help.
This is an independent, developing resource initiative in public beta, and is not affiliated with the California agencies linked on this website.
You can discuss your concerns with your child's healthcare professional and ask about developmental evaluation. In California, families may also explore Early Start for children under age three and contact school districts about educational assessments. The CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program in our resource library offers free milestone checklists.
You can ask your public school district about a special education evaluation if you suspect a disability affects your child's education. Educational eligibility is determined through the school evaluation process; check the California Department of Education parents' rights resource above.
California's 21 nonprofit regional centers coordinate services for people with developmental disabilities, including autism. Your local center can help with intake, assessment and lifelong supports. Use the Department of Developmental Services directory in the resource library to find yours - eligibility depends on the program and assessment.
Funding paths often include Medi-Cal, regional center services, IHSS for eligible in-home care, SSI, and school-based services. The Benefits section of our library links each official program so you can review current requirements.
Use the Department of Developmental Services regional center directory in the resource library. Service eligibility depends on the relevant program and assessment.
Not at this stage. We provide educational resources and referrals, not therapy or licensed counseling. For mental health care, seek appropriately licensed professionals.
We're developing tools and resources for autism families. Follow the project's journey and share which topics would help your family most.
You're viewing our beta. Community sign-up and direct contact will be added when official accounts are ready. No personal information is collected at this stage.