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Bloom Differently
Resources
A curated library reflecting the values of Bloom Differently — neurodiversity-affirming, attachment-informed, identity-inclusive, and grounded in the Arizona context.
Arizona resources
Arizona DDD — Division of Developmental Disabilities
State-funded services for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including HCBS waivers, support coordination, and DDD-funded therapy.
des.az.gov/ddd →ALTCS — Arizona Long Term Care System
Arizona's Medicaid program providing long-term support for eligible individuals with disability or chronic conditions. Often coordinates with DDD services.
des.az.gov/altcs →SARRC — Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
Phoenix-metro hub for autism diagnostic evaluations, therapy, vocational programs, and research. Serves children through adulthood.
autismcenter.org →Arizona Autism Coalition
Statewide family network connecting people to support groups, events, and legislative advocacy. Strong parent-led community with Arizona-specific focus.
azautism.org →Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)
Arizona state funding for eligible students with disabilities to attend private school, access outside therapies, or purchase approved educational materials.
azed.gov/esa →Disability Rights Arizona
Arizona's protection and advocacy organization. Free legal support for people with disabilities across education, housing, employment, and systems navigation.
disabilityrightsaz.org →Educational advocacy
Exceptional Lives
The most comprehensive free resource for parents and advocates, navigating special education law, IEPs, FAPE rights, and benefits.
exceptionallives.org →Raising Special Kids
Arizona's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center (PTI). Free coaching, workshops, and support for families in the special education process.
raisingspecialkids.org →Center for Parent Information & Resources
National hub for parent training centers. Plain-language summaries of IDEA, eligibility categories, procedural safeguards, and IEP team roles.
parentcenterhub.org →ADE Exceptional Student Services
Arizona Department of Education's special education division — forms, policy documents, complaint procedures, and district-level resources for families.
azed.gov/specialeducation →COPAA — Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates
National organization of special education attorneys and advocates. Directory to find representation and resources on due process and dispute resolution.
copaa.org →Understood — Education Rights
Parent-facing breakdowns of IDEA vs. 504, evaluation rights, IEP vs. 504 plan differences, and practical navigation guides by grade level and disability type.
understood.org →Neurodiversity & identity
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Led by and for autistic people. Policy advocacy, community resources, and a deeply human "nothing about us without us" perspective on disability rights.
autisticadvocacy.org →CHADD — Children and Adults with ADHD
Research-backed resources for families, adults, and educators navigating ADHD: diagnosis, treatment, school supports, and comorbid presentations.
chadd.org →Understood.org
Practical, affirming content for parents of kids with learning and thinking differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and processing differences.
understood.org →ADDitude Magazine
Strategies, expert Q&As, and community for adults and parents navigating ADHD and co-occurring conditions. Accessible, practical, and destigmatizing.
additudemag.com →STAR Institute for Sensory Processing
Research and clinical home for sensory processing differences — screening tools, treatment directories, and parent resources on navigating sensory needs.
sensoryhealth.org →The Autisticats
Online community and resource hub written by three autistic adults. A grounded, first-person alternative to parent-only or clinical-only autism content.
theautisticats.weebly.com →LGBTQ+ affirming resources
The Trevor Project
Crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and safe community space for LGBTQ+ youth. TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386. TrevorText: Text START to 678-678.
thetrevorproject.org →PFLAG
The original family-and-ally organization. Local chapters, family support groups, and guides for parents learning to support an LGBTQ+ child or family member.
pflag.org →Gender Creative Kids
Resources for parents raising gender-diverse children: books, guides, and professional support for families at all stages of understanding.
gendercreativekids.com →GLSEN
Works to create safe, inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students. Research, educator resources, and student-led organizing guides for building affirming schools.
glsen.org →Trans Lifeline
Crisis line and microgrants organization run by and for trans people. Hotline: 877-565-8860. Peer-support model with trans operators staffing the line.
translifeline.org →Attachment & play therapy
Association for Play Therapy (APT)
The professional home of play therapy. For families: what play therapy is, what to expect, and how to find a credentialed play therapist in your area.
a4pt.org →Circle of Security International
Research-based program rooted in attachment theory. Helps caregivers tune into a child's emotional needs and build a secure base for healthy development.
circleofsecurityinternational.com →Zero to Three
Science-based resources on social-emotional development, attachment, and early learning for families with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
zerotothree.org →The Gottman Institute — Parenting Resources
Research from decades of relationship science applied to parenting: emotional coaching, co-parenting, and raising emotionally intelligent children.
gottman.com/parents →Mental health support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 anytime. Free and confidential.
Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741. Available 24/7.
Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth) — Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.
NAMI Arizona
Arizona's chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Education programs, free family support groups, and advocacy. Helpline: 1-800-950-6264.
namiarizona.org →Teen Lifeine
Teens helping teens. Peer-run phone and text line staffed by trained teen volunteers, evenings 6–10 pm PT. Call 1-800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863.
teenlifeline.org →Mental Health America
Free online mental health screenings, early intervention tools, and educational resources for individuals, families, and communities across the country.
mhanational.org →Child Mind Institute
Expert, evidence-based guides for parents and caregivers on childhood mental health, learning differences, anxiety, OCD, trauma, and behavioral challenges.
childmind.org →Suggested reading
A note
These resources are provided for informational purposes and do not constitute clinical advice or endorsement. Bloom Differently is not affiliated with any organization listed here. Links were accurate at time of publication — please verify they are current before using. If you're unsure where to start, or need help navigating any of these resources, bring your questions to session.
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