Programs Offered by DDSD for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Autism Programs funded through the State General Fund Program of DDSD offers programs and supports specifically for individuals with autism in different regions of the state.

There are now programs for children aged 5-18 to receive adaptive skill building and recreational respite services. Children who are younger may be served through the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability to receive intensive parent home training.

Additional services are funded through the university's Autism Programs with funding from DDSD.

For more information on State General Funded Services, please call toll-free 1-877-696-1472, or email us and ask for SGF Autism Services Information.

The New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Supports Division is interested in knowing more about how our Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Program Services would benefit you. Please take a few minutes to participate in this short survey.

Autism Services Programs Offered by DDSD through Local Providers

DDSD provides services to individuals with diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorders through a network of local contract providers in each region.

Adaptive Skill Building: Adaptive Skill Building Services are intended to provide individualized intervention to children ages 5 to 18 that have a diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder to develop necessary skills to function successfully in the home and community. To learn more click here.

Recreational Respite: These programs are specially designed as recreational activities to support children to learn how to socialize with peers and encourage them be engaged in activities that encourage socialization with both disabled and non-disabled peers. To learn more click here.

DDSD Autism Services and You: is a flyer that provides an overview of services and supports offered by DDSD and CDD. Click here for a copy of this flyer.

In addition to the services funded through direct contract with local providers, DDSD provides support to The Autism Programs at the University of New Mexico, Center for Development and Disability (CDD) to provide a variety of supports and services. Some of those programs are:

Family and Community Education
Neurodevelopmental Evaluation Clinic and Direct Services
Camp Rising Sun

Camp Rising Sun is a residential camp for adolescents age 8 to 13 years old with autism and their peers providing one week of camping experiences. Camp activities include leisure and social programs allowing the campers to learn social skills and enjoy the overall experience. The camp provides respite to parents and caregivers through the use of community providers, college students, and volunteers to staff the camp, thus allowing the children to have time to learn skills in the absence of their family.

Parent Home Training
Project SET

The Autism Programs may be reached by calling the CDD at 1-800-270-1861 or on the web at http://cdd.unm.edu/swan

DDSD Evaluation Project - In the spring of 2009, DDSD undertook a process to evaluate the extent to which these new Autism programs are meeting the needs of children with ASD and their families, and to identify needed improvements as these new programs became available. It was discovered that overall the parents loved the services and wanted more of those services. Children were generally happier, had fewer challenging behaviors and increased communication and socialization skills. Families felt decreased levels of stress and increased parental skill in addressing challenging behaviors. Additionally, families gave a variety of suggestions to improve the programs, including increased frequency and amount of services to be provided. One particular area where parents felt there could be improvement of the programs was in the area of staff training, where parents felt that staff could not adequately handle behaviors and that staff were not able to adjust to the changing needs of children. In response to the evaluation, DDSD has initiated some adjustments to the operation of the various services and will continue to evaluate on an ongoing basis. See: EVALUATION PROJECT PRESENTATION.

Autism Internet Links and Resources

Return to State General Funded Services Page