Resources
Resources for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Please note that the resources listed on this site are provided for your convenience. FGCU GIDDI does not endorse, sponsor, or recommend any specific resource .-
Local and State Agencies
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About: ABLE Academy is a school dedicated to implementing behavioral science in its school programs and clinical services. ABLE Academy uses Applied Behavioral Analysis to ensure that its students are provided with a wide range of proper resources and behavioral programming.
About: Autism Collier Charter School provides a much-needed specialized environment for students with autism. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and innovative learning space where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.
About: De LaSalle Academy educates children with learning challenges, providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment, where each student’s diverse ability is honored and valued.
About: Easterseals makes a lasting difference each year by providing essential services to children and adults with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and their families.
Family Initiative/ Thrive Academy
About: Family Initiative is focused on children with ASD, their future, their talents, their hopes and dreams. Fi’s Thrive Academy will empower ASD youth and young adults while providing an opportunity for students through an individualized approach to learning. Academics will focus on English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science that will follow standards-based instruction.
About: LARC, Inc., provides quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee County and northern Collier County. They offer vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion, aiming to empower and support their full potential.
About: Transforming the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through social, vocational and educational community connections while strengthening awareness and respect for all abilities.
About: At Accessible, we value care that changes with everyone’s needs. Needs change as society changes, and technology is always there to adapt along the way. Incorporating technology into our personalized care plans allows us to connect with you and your loved ones in ways never done before. Emerging technologies, care plans, and patient portals take our care to the next level.
About: FOCUS is a top provider of pediatric therapy in Southwest Florida. Our services include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavior therapy/ABA, and feeding/swallowing therapy.
About: The Golisano Children's Hospital in Southwest Florida - a standalone, state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2017 - is on a mission to deliver vital and lifesaving care for children and their families throughout the region. Our highly trained staff believes that every child is special. Children deserve innovative care in an environment that soothes anxiety and fear. All of us - doctors, nurses, advocates, social workers, and volunteers - share that vision and care for you like family.
John Hopkins All Children's Hospital
About: Johns Hopkins All Children's doctors, nurses, therapists and staff work in the Outpatient Care Center, bringing some of our most frequently needed medical, laboratory and therapeutic services to a convenient location. Our caring professionals have years of experience in meeting the medical and rehabilitative needs of children of all ages, from infants through teens.
Play on Words Pediatric Therapy
About: Play on Words Therapy is excited to serve the community of Naples. We empower you and provide you with the support system and tools needed to make a positive change in your child’s life.
About: Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southwest Florida provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
About: SPOT Therapy Associates is committed to providing therapy services in a caring and compassionate manner. We believe that our patients and families are individuals with unique health care needs requiring assistance to achieve one's optimum level of health and function. It is our goal to provide quality service to assist the client and caregiver in achieving their maximum functional potential.
Employment Network of SW Florida
About: We empower individuals with disabilities through employment, connecting them with meaningful opportunities to thrive.
About: Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence.
About: LARC, Inc., provides quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee County and northern Collier County. They offer vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion, aiming to empower and support their full potential.
About: Our community-based outreach program, Trailblazer Academy, is a person-centered, holistic approach that provides participants with a broad range of support to engage in lifelong learning through enriching experiences, learning new skills, building new relationships, and finding new ways to move from just being in the community to being a valued part of the community.
Education Advocates of America
About: Education Advocates of America is here to support you. Whether you had a challenging conversation with a teacher or your child's essential services have been disrupted, we are just a phone call away. Our team is ready to assist you with understanding your options and advocating for your child's needs. Click below to call us now for immediate support.
About: The ESE Family Council of Lee County advocates for students with disabilities, shaping district policies and ensuring accountability. A collaborative space for families, caregivers, and stakeholders committed to impactful improvements for ESE services.
About: The MVP Autism Foundation is dedicated to helping individuals with Autism and other varying abilities achieve their highest human potential. Access to educational, social, vocational, and communication opportunities will help achieve this goal.
About: LARC, Inc., provides quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee County and northern Collier County. They offer vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion, aiming to empower and support their full potential.
Autism Collier Resource Center
About: Autism Collier was founded with a simple yet powerful goal: to ensure that no family navigating autism has to do it alone.
Independent Living
About: CARD is a community-based program funded by the Florida Department of Education through an annual grant. Services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies or businesses are located within our 14-county region in southwest Florida. There are seven regional CARD centers in the state of Florida. Visit the state-wide CARD Regional Site Directory.
* extension office located at Modular 2- the GIDDI offices
FGCU Golisano Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Initiative
About: The Golisano Intellectual & Developmental Disability Initiative (GIDDI) was established at FGCU through funding from the Golisano Foundation. It was created to enhance communication among Southwest Florida agencies serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities of all ages and to identify gaps and needs for supports and services within this population. When these gaps and needs are identified, GIDDI partners with local organizations to help build programs, services, and infrastructure that improve the quality and quantity of services and support available to those in need. GIDDI helps connect FGCU faculty, students, and staff with the area community to build a workforce with improved skills and awareness of the unique needs of those with IDD, making FGCU a welcoming campus and a support for their success. GIDDI provides opportunities and collaborates with campus units to maximize support for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, enabling them to thrive.
About: To provide residential and community based programs and services enhanced with Christian care, for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About: Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence.
About: LARC, Inc., provides quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee County and northern Collier County. They offer vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion, aiming to empower and support their full potential.
About: Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities
About: We make a lifetime commitment to changing lives and providing hope through the consistent delivery of FREE educational, therapeutic, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, using a replicable playhouse model.
About: We build community through exceptional access to the power of theatre.
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Children
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Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder
About: This website provides the latest data on Autism Spectrum Disorder from the CDC ADDM Network.
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. (2025, April 15). Data and statistics on autism spectrum disorder.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
About: This research article provides tips to dining with loved ones who have autism.
Juarez, M., Bartling, K., Ehlers, K., & Rego, A. (2014). Let’s go out to eat: Creating a sensory-friendly dining experience for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273410286
*Must request article from author to view
A Resource Guide Developed by Project Transition Interagency Council
Mission: Project Transition’s Mission is to expand and strengthen collaborative relationships among families, students, agencies, schools, and community resources to provide successful transition of young adults with disabilities by increasing their awareness of all available past school options.
Project Transition Interagency Council. (2016). Secondary Transition. The School District of Lee County. https://www.leeschools.net/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=Xgz1AVTy
Preparing for College With Dyslexia
About: This resource provides individuals with resources to prepare themselves, or their loved one, for college or the workforce with dyslexia.
Hamblet, E. (2024, December 11). Preparing for college with dyslexia. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/preparing-college-with-dyslexia/
If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
This clip from Sesame Street is a tool to support children’s understanding of children with autism. It can be used to support a child’s friendship building with those who have different abilities.
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Adolescents
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If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
A Resource Guide Developed by Project Transition Interagency Council
Mission: Project Transition’s Mission is to expand and strengthen collaborative relationships among families, students, agencies, schools, and community resources to provide successful transition of young adults with disabilities by increasing their awareness of all available past school options.
Project Transition Interagency Council. (2016). Secondary Transition. The School District of Lee County. https://www.leeschools.net/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=Xgz1AVTy
Preparing for College With Dyslexia
About: This resource provides individuals with resources to prepare themselves, or their loved one, for college or the workforce with dyslexia.
Hamblet, E. (2024, December 11). Preparing for college with dyslexia. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/preparing-college-with-dyslexia/
If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Rated: PG-13
Synopsis: Zak, a man with down syndrome, runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler. Later, he meets with an outlaw who becomes his friend and coach.
Nilson, T., & Schwartz, M. (Directors). (2019). The Peanut Butter Falcon. [Film]. Armory Films; Lucky Treehouse; Bona Fide Productions; Endeavor Content.
Champions (adults)
Genre: Sports comedy drama
Rated: PG-13
Synopsis: After a former minor league basketball coach loses his temper in a game, he is court ordered to lead a team of individuals with IDD. As the team prepares for a regional championship, unexpected bonds and friendships are formed. Themes of teamwork, compassion, and human dignity are notable throughout the film.
Farrelly, B. (Director). (2023). Champions. [Film]. Gold Circle Films; Seven Deuce Entertainment.
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Adults
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The Citizens Program provides an opportunity for adult mentorship and friendships through one-to-one buddy pairing.
Community Resource Network of Florida
Life Skills Program in Ft. Myers: “provides training in daily living, self-advocacy, business, communication, and adaptive and social skills”.
Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
About: PACER provides more information on Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs for individuals with disabilities.
National Parent Center on Transition and Employment. (n.d.). Inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. PACER Center.
Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics Summary
About: This resource provides statistics on disability in the labor force, including those employed, unemployed, and general data.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, February 25). Persons with a disability: Labor force Characteristics – 2024. U.S. Department of Labor.
Mission: Preparing young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment.
Talking Books Library: Lee County
A free program that provides accessible books for people of all ages who have different abilities. Audio and braille books and tools are offered instead of standard print.
Vocational rehabilitation services
Florida Department of Education provides a step-by-step process to assist adults with disabilities in preparing for and securing a job that aligns with personal interests and abilities.
Mission: The WOW center provides access to opportunities and resources for adults with developmental disabilities and the communities that support them.
Autism, dyslexia, ADHD: How colleges are helping ‘neurodivergent’ students succeed
About: The Hechinger Report introduces a new center in the University of San Diego called the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity.
Sanchez, O. (2024, June 6). Autism, dyslexia, ADHD: How colleges are helping “neurodivergent” students succeed. The Hechinger Report. https://hechingerreport.org/the-quest-for-embodied-equity-on-college-campuses-focuses-on-neurodivergent-students/
College students’ guide to managing ADHD
About: This article provides education and guidance about individuals with ADHD in a college setting.
SingleCare. (2024, August 13). College students’ guide to managing ADHD. The Checkup. https://www.singlecare.com/blog/college-students-adhd/
Labor Day and Employment for People with Disabilities
About: Alycia Anderson discusses her personal experiences in the workforce as someone with a disability, and the issues in the workforce community.
Anderson, A. (2021, September 6). Labor Day and employment for people with disabilities. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/labor-day-employment-people-disabilities-alycia-anderson/
Program Innovation: Peer Support for Neurodivergent Students
About: This website provides more information about MOSSAIC (Mentoring, Organization, and Social Support for Autism/All Inclusion on Campus) at the University of Montana.
Mowreader, A. (2024, April 30). Program innovation: Peer support for neurodivergent students. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2024/04/30/umontana-provides-social-support-learners
Prosper Health – Find Adult Autism Care Near You
Prosper Health is an adult autism therapy and diagnosis provider. Licensed psychologists and therapists who specialize in adult autism and related disorders offer virtual services across Florida.
About: The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity shares brief information on how Autism presents different in women and girls.
Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (2023, August 18). Autism in Women and Girls. https://aane.org/autism-info-faqs/library/autism-women-and-girls/
Colleges have a responsibility to support students with intellectual disabilities
About: This article provides further insight into a college’s commitment to ensuring student success for individuals with disabilities.
Wubah, D. A. (2024, May 15). Colleges have a responsibility to support students with intellectual disabilities. University Business. https://universitybusiness.com/colleges-have-a-responsibility-to-support-students-with-intellectual-disabilities/?oly_enc_id=7021H5693690A2R.
Students With Disabilities in Higher Education: Facts and Statistics
About: This report shares facts and statistics about students with disabilities in the higher education system.
Welding, L. (2023, March 29). Students with disabilities in higher education: Facts and statistics. BestColleges. https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/students-with-disabilities-higher-education-statistics/.
About: This study focuses on evaluating growth within college students with disabilities and their first two years in a college program.
Lee, C. E., Day, T.L., Carter, E.W, Taylor, J.L. (2020). Examining growth among college students with intellectual and developmental disability: A longitudinal study. Behavior Modification, 45(2), 324-348. doi:10.1177/01454455209829
Testing a Wellness Indicators Measure for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
About: This research provides a new model that states can use to monitor wellness within the IDD community. The sample includes adults with IDD in the 2017-2018 dataset.
Bogenschutz, M., Broda, M., Lineberry, S., Dinora, P., & Seb Prohn. (2021). Testing a wellness
indicators measure for people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Network Journal, 2(1), 85.
The Good Doctor
Genre: TV series, Drama
Rated: TV-14
Synopsis: A young, exceptionally talented surgical resident with ASD faces social challenges while using his unique abilities to save lives.
Atypical
Genre: TV series, Drama, Comedy
Rated: TV-14
Synopsis: This series follows the journey of Sam and his family as he navigates college-life and his newfound independence. Sam is an 18-year-old with ASD exploring dating, friendships, and new experiences.
Special
Genre: TV series, Drama, Comedy
Rated: Mature/Adult
Synopsis: A young, queer man with cerebral palsy navigates his career and relationships, while striving for independence. The series reflects themes of self-acceptance, identity, and love.
Genre: History, Documentary
Rated: R
Synopsis: Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed at a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement.
Lebrecht, J. & Newnham, N. (Directors). (2020). Crip Camp: A disability revolution. [Film]. Higher Ground Productions; Ford Foundation; Little Punk; Just Films; Rusted Spoke Productions.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rated: R
Synopsis: Comedian Max co-parents autistic son Ezra with ex-wife Jenna. Faced with crucial decisions about Ezra's future, Max and Ezra go on a life-changing cross-country road trip.
Goldwyn, T. (Director). (2023). Ezra. [Film]. Wayfarer Studios; Closer Media.
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Parents and Caregivers
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A Resource Guide Developed by Project Transition Interagency Council
Mission: Project Transition’s Mission is to expand and strengthen collaborative relationships among families, students, agencies, schools, and community resources to provide successful transition of young adults with disabilities by increasing their awareness of all available past school options.
Project Transition Interagency Council. (2016). Secondary Transition. The School District of Lee County. https://www.leeschools.net/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=Xgz1AVTy
Family Network on Disabilities
Mission: OUR MISSION: striving for the complete integration and equality of people with disabilities in a society without barriers.
Family Network on Disabilities (https://fndusa.org/)
About: This community parent resource center offers education, information, and emotional support for families of children and adolescents with special needs. Free, in-person and virtual workshops are offered to support parents and caregivers in areas such as early intervention, vocational training, college opportunities, and legal rights of children and young adults with disabilities.
Mission: Parent Training Information (PTI) center for the Central and Northeast of Florida, (Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands,Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Sumter counties). These PTI services help to ensure that parents of children with the full range of disabilities have the training and information they need to prepare their children for school, and to help them lead productive, independent lives to the fullest extent possible.
Parent Support Network. (n.d.). Parent Support Network Project. Family Network on Disabilities. https://fndusa.org/program-detail-page-psn/
About: Leeschools provides resources for parents and caregivers to support their child throughout their academic journey, including behaviors, virtually, and at home learning.
The School District of Lee County. (n.d.). Parent Resources. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://www.leeschools.net/our_district/departments/academic_services/exceptional_student_education/parent_resources
About: The Special Needs Program includes information about accessing a special needs storm shelter and transportation in case of a natural disaster. The application and more information about this program is located on the website.
Lee County Southwest Florida. (n.d.). Special needs program. https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters/specialneedsprogram
Care Tips for Children with Developmental Disabilities
About: Integrity, Inc. offers clear strategies for creating an environment suitable for children with IDD. They also share brief caretaker tips to promote healthy child development, manage challenging behaviors, utilize the support of healthcare professionals, and prevent burnout.
Integrity Inc. (2023, June 19). Care Tips for Children with Developmental Disabilities. https://www.integrityinc.org/care-tips-for-children-with-developmental-disabilities/
About: Help Me Grow Florida offers free downloadable activities to support the healthy development of children. The activities are designed for children aged 2 months – 5 years.
About: The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices offers an updated collection of news articles and research to support family members and caregivers of adults with IDD and dementia. Upcoming events, such as webinars, are updated and accessible free of charge.
The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (2025, July 1). Family Caregiver Resources. https://www.the-ntg.org/family-caregiver-resources
Help Me Grow Florida: Start a Screening
About: This website offers a free screening for parents or caregivers to better understand a child’s developmental patterns. Screenings do not diagnose delays or disabilities, but they provide further insight into how specific concerns can be discussed with professionals. Screenings also support understanding for how the child’s development can be enhanced through play.
About: This website serves as a resource to recognize if your child is reaching developmentally appropriate milestones from 2 months- 5 years of age. Additionally, this website includes resources to track and support a child’s milestones and resources if the caregiver is concerned about the child reaching their milestones.
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (2025, January 17). Learn the signs. Act early. U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html
Sexual Health Resource Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers of Youth with IDD
This toolkit offers parents a guide for supporting youth with IDD through puberty and early adolescence.
Promising Youth Programs. (2023, January). Sexual Health Resource Toolkit for Parents and
Caregivers of Youth with IDD.
https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/resourcefiles/IDD_Adolescent_Dev_Snapshot.pdf
Financial Planning Among Parents of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
About: This study reviews the financial planning experiences of families with children with IDD.
Agarwal, R., Heron, L.M., & Burke, S.L. (2023). Financial planning among parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 61(3), 211–223. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-61.3.211
Born This Way
About: This A&E docuseries explores the lived experiences of adults with Down syndrome as they pursue their goals and strive for independence. Parents and families share their perspectives offering further insight into the challenges and lessons of adjusting to their loved one’s journey through adulthood.
Contact Us
Golisano Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Initiative
10501 FGCU Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33965
Phone: (239) 745-4272
Email: giddi@fgcu.edu
Support FGCU's Golisano Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Initiative
