RESOURCES
A curated collection of trusted resources for neurodivergent families, caregivers, and professionals. NeuroSpark Joy is here to help you find what you need and connect you with the right support, at the right time, so you do not have to search alone.
Resources & Support
Systems Navigation
California DDS Regional Center Locator Find your local regional center at dds.ca.gov/rc
Early Start Program (Ages 0–3) Early intervention services for infants and toddlers — dds.ca.gov/earlystart
Self-Determination Program Flexibility and choice in managing your regional center services
Individual Program Plan (IPP) Understanding your IPP meeting and your rights as a family
Lanterman Act California's law protecting the rights of people with developmental disabilities
SCDD — State Council on Developmental DisabilitiesCalifornia's independent state agency ensuring people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need — scdd.ca.gov
DRC — Disability Rights CaliforniaThe largest disability rights organization in the nation — free legal advocacy, rights protection, and support for Californians with disabilities — disabilityrightsca.org
Wrightslaw Special education law and advocacy — wrightslaw.com
Understood.org — IEP Guide Plain-language IEP explainers for families — understood.org
California Parent Rights (Procedural Safeguards) Your rights in the IEP process under IDEA
DREDF — Disability Rights Education Fund Free legal information for families — dredf.org
COPAA Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates — copaa.org
Mental Health Supports
NAMI — National Alliance on Mental Illness nami.org · Helpline: 1-800-950-6264
Child Mind Institute Mental health resources for children and families — childmind.org
Medi-Cal Mental Health Services Free mental health services for eligible California families
Psychology Today Therapist Finder Find neurodiversity-affirming therapists — psychologytoday.com
Caregiver Action Network Support for caregivers — caregiveraction.org
Self-Determination
Ally Comprehensive ServicesBilingual (English & Spanish) person-centered planning and independent facilitation for regional center clients — allycs.org
Self Determination Institute (SDI) California nonprofit providing training, support, and research for the Self-Determination Program — selfdeterminationinstitute.org
Guidelight Group California's leading independent facilitation provider for the Self-Determination Program — guidelightgroup.org
Neurodiversity Education
Understood.orgEducation and advocacy for neurodiverse learners — understood.org
CHADD — ADHD ResourcesEducation and support for ADHD — chadd.org
Autism Society of AmericaCommunity and resources — autismsociety.org
ASAN — Autistic Self Advocacy NetworkNothing about us without us — autisticadvocacy.org
International Dyslexia AssociationResources for dyslexia — dyslexiaida.org
National Organizations
The ArcAdvocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — thearc.org
National Down Syndrome Societyndss.org
TACA — Talk About Curing AutismSupport for autism families — tacanow.org
Family Voices Family-centered care for children with special needs — familyvoices.org
PACER Center Parent training and information — pacer.org
Local Pasadena / LA Area
Lanterman Regional Center Serves the Pasadena / LA area — lanterman.org
Club 21 Learning & Resource Center Resources for families of children with Down Syndrome — club21learn.org
UCLA CART — Center for Autism Research & Treatment semel.ucla.edu/autism
Pasadena Public Health Department Local health and family services — cityofpasadena.net/public-health
Spanish Language Resources
Comprender (Understood en Español) Recursos en español para familias — understood.org/es
NAMI en Españolnami.org/Your-Journey/Frontline-Professionals/Spanish-Language-Resources
DDS en Español Información del Centro Regional en español — dds.ca.gov
El Arc de California Defensa y recursos para familias en español — elarcdecalifornia.org
NeuroSpark Joy — Servicios Bilingües Natalia ofrece apoyo en español · Contáctenos para más información
Books & Reading Lists
Brain-Body Parenting —Dr. Mona Delahooke
Human — Barry Prizant A different way of seeing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Wrightslaw: Special Education Law Essential guide for IEP advocacy
The ADHD Advantage — Dale Archer Strength-based approach to ADHD
The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline — Tina Payne Bryson & Dan Siegel
A note from Founder:
This list is a starting point, not a complete picture. Resources change, availability varies, and what works for one family may not work for another. NeuroSpark Joy is here to help you find what fits your family's unique needs. Come to office hours or reach out — we'll figure it out together.