Welcome to Northern Nevada Autism Network
NNAN was established in 2005 to help families in Elko County affected by autism. The goal of Northern Nevada Autism Network is to increase autism awareness and access to treatment. We believe Elko County’s communities and schools are healthier when children with autism have the benefit of early and comprehensive treatment. Although autism has no cure, with treatment the symptoms can be managed and family life can improve. We are a diverse group of parents helping other parents. We are dedicated to easing families’ uncertainties as they navigate through the world of autism.
Interested in working with children with autism?
Apply here to be an interventionist.
Application for Interventionist (.pdf)
Application for Interventionist (Word format)
Meetings
At our meetings parents and grandparents can meet and talk. Although all our children are unique, many of their challenges are similar and talking to a parent who has experienced a similar situation is helpful.
Check our Facebook Page. There is a Facebook link at the top of this page.
Please sign up for our email list:
Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disorders Life Stages Toolkit:
http://www.nevadaddcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Life-Stages-June-2016.pdf
A Note from the President of NNAN, Korri Ward
Thank you to the Ruby Mountain Relay Teams that are running for a cause and raising money for autism. This year our projects include collaborating with UNR to bring a parent advocacy class to Elko, continuing our teenage social skills program, tutor training, help funding treatment/equipment, public awareness about autism and advocacy at the legislature. Below are details about the UNR parent/self-advocate training.
Along with the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Northern Nevada Autism Network is sponsoring University of Nevada’s University Center for Excellence in Disabilities Partner’s In Policymaking Class in Elko. Twenty-one people are participating. This is a six month class that teaches self-advocates and parents that disability is natural, how to access services for adults and children with disabilities, and how to work with legislators to improve disability services.
One example of a little know but beneficial program is the HIWA program. At PIP Lenn discussed the benefits of Nevada Medicaid's HIWA program and how to access the program. HIWA is a program that allows working adults with developmental disabilities to buy Medicaid to access Medicaid related services that allow them to continue working or to live independently.
The Partners also learned about ABLE plans. These are like college savings accounts, but for people with developmental disabilities. Ohio is the first state to set up accounts. The accounts allow parents or others to set aside tax free monies at low costs but with interest for their child to use for housing, medical or education. Nevada will open their accounts in October. PIP taught partners about the benefits of the accounts and how to set them up.
Partners In Policymaking is valuable, because it informs participants about how to access available services and how to advocate for improved services.
At the last meeting I asked participants to write their thoughts or comments about the class. This is what they said (Comments are not edited.):
“Partners in Policymaking has been an incredible experience that has helped me become the most informed person I could be as a parent of a child with a disability. While it has been highly educational, it has also been liberating as I was able to meet self advocates and voices from the disability community on what is important to them and how they wish to be treated. PIP has been such an incredible gift that gives me the foundation as a parent and an advocate to fight for what’s best for my child, and also on behalf of what is best for the entire DISABILITY community.”
“Partners in Policymaking has put me in touch with people and resources that I would never have known about otherwise. It has helped me link into a network of like-minded people where we can join forces to better guarantee that we or our family members are part of the larger community. It is a life-changing experience.”
"Thanks for the support of PIP- it provides a real shot in the arm for self-advocacy and is a much needed inspiration for helping my adult daughter”
“It was good, to help each other, the information was good. Thank you.”
“The Partners in Policymaking Program help me become more well-rounded and try to overcome a lot of obstacles in my life.”
“Partners in Policymaking provided my family with the connections and awareness that we have to make changes for the future.”
“I could not attend this class if it was in Reno or somewhere else. I’m thankful it was in Elko. I continuously learn more and more about autism. My grandson was 16 years old when I become responsible for his needs - I have a long way to go but I keep attending classes to learn more. Thank for having the class in Elko. “
“I have learned so much to assist my daughter with autism through life. Thank you to everyone who makes these classes possible. Knowledge is Power.”
“The class was wonderful. I learned a lot. I liked most was the speaker when she talked about finances in Ohio.”
“Knowledge is power. Take the time to educate yourself about the world around you. The better you can help your child. Partners is a blessing."
“It’s been very valuable and the info has been breathtaking.”
“I enjoyed learning new things to help more people.
“It was great”
NNAN provides assistance with finding:
NNAN also provides scholarships for
NNAN funds:
Interested in working with children with autism?
Apply here to be an interventionist.
Application for Interventionist (.pdf)
Application for Interventionist (Word format)
Meetings
At our meetings parents and grandparents can meet and talk. Although all our children are unique, many of their challenges are similar and talking to a parent who has experienced a similar situation is helpful.
Check our Facebook Page. There is a Facebook link at the top of this page.
Please sign up for our email list:
Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disorders Life Stages Toolkit:
http://www.nevadaddcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Life-Stages-June-2016.pdf
A Note from the President of NNAN, Korri Ward
Thank you to the Ruby Mountain Relay Teams that are running for a cause and raising money for autism. This year our projects include collaborating with UNR to bring a parent advocacy class to Elko, continuing our teenage social skills program, tutor training, help funding treatment/equipment, public awareness about autism and advocacy at the legislature. Below are details about the UNR parent/self-advocate training.
Along with the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Northern Nevada Autism Network is sponsoring University of Nevada’s University Center for Excellence in Disabilities Partner’s In Policymaking Class in Elko. Twenty-one people are participating. This is a six month class that teaches self-advocates and parents that disability is natural, how to access services for adults and children with disabilities, and how to work with legislators to improve disability services.
One example of a little know but beneficial program is the HIWA program. At PIP Lenn discussed the benefits of Nevada Medicaid's HIWA program and how to access the program. HIWA is a program that allows working adults with developmental disabilities to buy Medicaid to access Medicaid related services that allow them to continue working or to live independently.
The Partners also learned about ABLE plans. These are like college savings accounts, but for people with developmental disabilities. Ohio is the first state to set up accounts. The accounts allow parents or others to set aside tax free monies at low costs but with interest for their child to use for housing, medical or education. Nevada will open their accounts in October. PIP taught partners about the benefits of the accounts and how to set them up.
Partners In Policymaking is valuable, because it informs participants about how to access available services and how to advocate for improved services.
At the last meeting I asked participants to write their thoughts or comments about the class. This is what they said (Comments are not edited.):
“Partners in Policymaking has been an incredible experience that has helped me become the most informed person I could be as a parent of a child with a disability. While it has been highly educational, it has also been liberating as I was able to meet self advocates and voices from the disability community on what is important to them and how they wish to be treated. PIP has been such an incredible gift that gives me the foundation as a parent and an advocate to fight for what’s best for my child, and also on behalf of what is best for the entire DISABILITY community.”
“Partners in Policymaking has put me in touch with people and resources that I would never have known about otherwise. It has helped me link into a network of like-minded people where we can join forces to better guarantee that we or our family members are part of the larger community. It is a life-changing experience.”
"Thanks for the support of PIP- it provides a real shot in the arm for self-advocacy and is a much needed inspiration for helping my adult daughter”
“It was good, to help each other, the information was good. Thank you.”
“The Partners in Policymaking Program help me become more well-rounded and try to overcome a lot of obstacles in my life.”
“Partners in Policymaking provided my family with the connections and awareness that we have to make changes for the future.”
“I could not attend this class if it was in Reno or somewhere else. I’m thankful it was in Elko. I continuously learn more and more about autism. My grandson was 16 years old when I become responsible for his needs - I have a long way to go but I keep attending classes to learn more. Thank for having the class in Elko. “
“I have learned so much to assist my daughter with autism through life. Thank you to everyone who makes these classes possible. Knowledge is Power.”
“The class was wonderful. I learned a lot. I liked most was the speaker when she talked about finances in Ohio.”
“Knowledge is power. Take the time to educate yourself about the world around you. The better you can help your child. Partners is a blessing."
“It’s been very valuable and the info has been breathtaking.”
“I enjoyed learning new things to help more people.
“It was great”
NNAN provides assistance with finding:
- respite (funding for caregivers to take a break)
- a tutor to work with your child
- funding for autism treatment
- a doctor who provides a diagnostic evaluation
- an autism expert to treat your child
NNAN also provides scholarships for
- biomedical treatment
- voice output devices and software
- online classes through CARD http://www.ibehavioraltraining.com/IBT/Elearning.aspx
- other online or GBC trainings, such as Wright’s Law
NNAN funds:
- travel expenses to bring Autism Experts to Elko
- Tutor Training
- Social Skills classes for teens
- Autism books for the Elko County and GBC Libraries
- Autism related educational materials for ECSD classrooms
- Therapeutic Equipment for Special Education Classes