Autism ToolKit

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Autism ToolKit

Hello! In order to be as helpful as possible to our users, we welcome feedback! If you have a question about autism, send it to us!

🧩 Welcome to the Autism Toolkit!

🧡 Bridging gaps in autism care with Mercer University School of Medicine.

📚 Expert resources & practical tips.

🌟 Empowering communities.

The Autism Toolkit is a website that researchers from Mercer University's School of Medicine created by working with autistic people and families of autistic people. The goals of the Autism Toolkit are 1) to help people in rural Georgia find the autism resources they need in order to thrive, and 2) help people learn more about autism by creating articles that take the difficulties rural people have with finding treatment into account. We will do our best to answer it and maybe even write an article about it for our website. The Autism Toolkit is set to launch in July of 2023, so please keep and eye on our page for updates!

09/11/2026

🧩 Why Do Autistic People Stim?

You may have seen an autistic person rocking, tapping their fingers, making repeated sounds, spinning an object, or using a fidget toy. These behaviors are called stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior.

For many autistic people, stimming is a natural and helpful way to:

💙 Manage stress and anxiety
🔊 Cope with overwhelming sensory experiences
😊 Express strong emotions
🎯 Stay focused
🧠 Process sensory information
🤲 Feel more connected to their bodies

For a long time, stimming was often viewed as a behavior that needed to be stopped. Today, autistic self-advocates have helped us better understand that harmless stimming can serve an important purpose.

Our newest Autism ToolKit article explores what stimming is, why autistic people stim, and how we can better support safe and healthy stimming.

Read more about autism and stimming here: https://www.autismtoolkit.org/resource/why-do-autistic-people-stim/

09/08/2026

🌿 CBD for Autism: Could It Help?

Many autistic people experience challenges such as anxiety, sleep problems, sensory sensitivities, or difficulties with behavior. Because current treatments don't work for everyone, researchers are studying whether cannabidiol (CBD) might help with some of these symptoms.

CBD does not cause the “high” associated with THC, and early research suggests it may help with symptoms such as:

😴 Sleep problems
💙 Anxiety
🧩 Aggression or challenging behaviors
⚡ Restlessness or agitation
🍽️ Eating difficulties

Our newest Autism ToolKit article takes a closer look at what researchers know about CBD and autism and what we still need to learn.

Read more about autism and CBD here: https://www.autismtoolkit.org/resource/cbd-for-autism-a-new-treatment-option/

09/05/2026

🇺🇸 Resource Spotlight: How Can TRICARE Help Military Families Affected by Autism?

Navigating an autism diagnosis and finding services can be challenging for any family. For military families, understanding how TRICARE works can add another layer of complexity.

TRICARE provides coverage for a variety of services that may support autistic children, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychological services, physical therapy, and prescription medications. Through the Autism Care Demonstration (ACD), it can also support applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Our newest Resource Spotlight walks families through the process, including:

🩺 How to start the autism evaluation process
📋 What referrals and preauthorizations are needed
🧩 How the Autism Care Demonstration works
💙 The roles of EFMP and ECHO
🔎 How TRICARE helps families find an ABA provider
📈 How your child's progress is monitored
📍 What Georgia military families need to know about Humana Military

Military families shouldn't have to navigate autism services alone. 💙

Read the full Resource Spotlight from the Autism ToolKit: https://www.autismtoolkit.org/resource/resource-spotlight-how-can-tricare-help-military-families-affected-by-autism/

09/03/2026

🔎 Looking for fast autism testing? Learn more about EarliPoint.

For many families, getting an autism evaluation can mean waiting months, or even years (!) to see a specialist. EarliPoint is a new technology that uses eye tracking to provide doctors with information that may help identify autism in young children.

During an EarliPoint assessment, children simply watch short videos while tiny cameras track where they look. The assessment can take as little as 15 minutes, and results can help a child’s healthcare provider determine whether an autism diagnosis is appropriate. IMPORTANT: EarliPoint results are accepted by Georgia Medicaid!

💙 Mercer University School of Medicine is bringing EarliPoint testing to families across rural Georgia through its Early Autism Detection Program. The goal is to make autism evaluation faster and more accessible—without requiring families to travel long distances.

📍 EarliPoint testing is currently available in:
Coffee, Jones, Towns, Monroe, Laurens, Washington, Berrien, and Ware Counties.

👶 Who can receive testing?
Families living anywhere in Georgia may request an appointment. EarliPoint is designed for children between 16 months and 8 years of age.

📩 How do I get an appointment?
Ask a member of your child’s healthcare or school team, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, speech therapist, occupational therapist, or school nurse, to send a request to [email protected]. Someone from Mercer will then contact you to schedule an appointment.

⏰ Current wait time: about 2 weeks!

Learn more about EarliPoint and how to request testing on the Autism ToolKit:
https://www.autismtoolkit.org/resource/find-earlipoint-autism-evaluation-near-you/

09/01/2026

🧩 Can someone be autistic and have ADHD? Yes!

You may have heard the term "AuDHD." AuDHD is used by the autism and ADHD communities to describe someone who meets the diagnostic criteria for both conditions. AuDHD is not a separate medical diagnosis, but autism and ADHD can occur together.

Because the two conditions share some characteristics, it isn't always easy to recognize when both are present. Some people are diagnosed with one condition first and later discover they meet the criteria for the other.

Our newest article explains:

🧩 What autism is
💡 What ADHD is
🔄 How autism and ADHD can occur together
🔎 Why AuDHD can sometimes be difficult to recognize
🧠 How clinicians evaluate someone for both conditions

Every autistic person and every person with ADHD is different. Understanding how these conditions can overlap can help families and individuals find the right supports.

Read more about AuDHD here: https://www.autismtoolkit.org/resource/understanding-autism-adhd-and-audhd/

08/26/2026

Autism Resources for Waycross, GA!

📍 Looking for autism resources in Waycross?

We've created a Waycross Autism Resource Guide on the Autism ToolKit that brings together all of the autism resources we could find throughout the Waycross area - all in one convenient place.

Whether you're searching for:
• Autism evaluations and diagnosis
• Early intervention services
• Speech, occupational, and physical therapy
• ABA and other supportive therapies
• Transition services for teens and young adults
• Vocational training
• Residential services
• Day programs
• Respite care
• And much more!

Explore the guide here:
https://www.autismtoolkit.org/autism-resources-waycross/

💙 We know that local families are the experts on their own communities, and we'd love your help making this guide even better.

If you live in the Waycross area:
➡️ Did we miss any autism resources?
➡️ Are there organizations, programs, or services that other families should know about?

Share your recommendations in the comments and help us keep this guide as complete and helpful as possible!

08/25/2026

📍 Looking for autism resources in Hiawassee,?

We've created a Hiawassee Autism Resource Guide on the Autism ToolKit! Our Hiawassee Location Page brings together all of the autism resources that we could find in Hiawassee and the surrounding areas, making it easier for families, caregivers, and self-advocates to find local support.

Whether you're looking for:
• Autism evaluations and diagnosis
• Early intervention services
• Speech, occupational, and physical therapy
• ABA and other supportive therapies
• Transition services for teens and young adults
• Vocational training
• Residential services
• Day programs
• Respite care
• And much more!

Explore the guide here:
🔗 https://www.autismtoolkit.org/autism-resources-hiawassee/

💙 We know that the best local resources often come from the people who live there.

If you're from Hiawassee or the surrounding North Georgia communities:
➡️ Did we miss an autism resource?
➡️ Is there a provider, organization, or community program that has made a difference for your family?
➡️ Is there anything newcomers to the area should know when looking for autism services?

Share your recommendations in the comments and help us make this guide even more helpful for families across North Georgia!

08/22/2026

Autism Resources for Statesboro, GA!

📍 Looking for autism resources in Statesboro?

We've added a Statesboro Autism Resource Guide to the Autism ToolKit! This Location Page brings together all of the autism resources that we could find throughout the Statesboro area, making it easier to connect with local services.

The guide includes information about:
• Autism evaluations and diagnosis
• Early intervention services
• Speech, occupational, and physical therapy
• ABA and other supportive therapies
• Transition planning
• Vocational training
• Residential services
• Day programs
• Respite care
• And more!

Visit the guide here:
https://www.autismtoolkit.org/autism-resources-statesboro/

💙 We know there are always new programs, providers, and community resources to discover.

If you live in the Statesboro area:
➡️ Are there autism resources we should add?
➡️ Is there anything that newcomers to the area should know about local autism services?

Tell us in the comments! Your recommendations can help other autistic people and families find the support they're looking for.

08/19/2026

Autism Resources for Toccoa, GA!

📍 Looking for autism resources in Toccoa?

We've created a Toccoa Autism Resource Guide on the Autism ToolKit that gathers all of the autism resources that we could find throughout the area.

You'll find information about:
• Autism diagnosis
• Early intervention
• Speech, occupational, and physical therapy
• Supportive therapies
• Transition planning
• Vocational training
• Residential services
• Day programs
• Respite care
• And much more!

Take a look here:
https://www.autismtoolkit.org/autism-resources-toccoa/

💙 We would love your help!

If you live in the Toccoa area:
➡️ Did we miss any local resources?
➡️ Is there anything families moving to the area should know?

Tell us in the comments so we can continue improving this guide for everyone.

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Savannah, GA
31404

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