Autism Association for Overseas Families
in The Netherlands

Parents and professionals
working together for children
with autism

Info & Links
Please read our Disclaimer

Information for AAOF Parents:
- AAOF Book Lending Scheme,
- PGB (Persoonsgebonden Budget)
- MEE
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Public Lectures/Programmes
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Autism Support Groups
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Other Local Support Groups
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Other Online Information

Information for AAOF Parents

AAOF Book Lending Scheme

The books on this list (Word file, 29 kB) may be borrowed from the AAOF free of charge, for a maximum period of 2 months.
Books may be borrowed by contacting Sara Pelger or e-mail mail@aaof.info.

At this stage, the books are available for viewing or borrowing at the Coffee Mornings taking place in Voorschoten (Den Haag area). If you live in another area, you can contact us and tell us which book you are interested in. We can then see if we can bring the selected book(s) to another coffee morning (Amsterdam or Rotterdam) where you can pick it up (and return it at a later date).

Unfortunately, due to cost restrictions, we are unable to post books to borrowers. Books can be returned to Sara either by post (at your own risk) or in person at an AAOF Coffee Morning. By participating in the book lending scheme you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the scheme as listed above, and you also agree to either pay for or undertake to replace any books that are lost or damaged whilst in your possession.

PGB - Persoonsgebonden Budget

A PGB (personal budget) enables individuals to buy the care and services that their child needs themselves and decide themselves how, when and by whom, the care is provided.

Care and services can take the form of that given by recognised medical professionals (in which case the money is paid directly to the professionals involved) or less formal care such as respite or regular child care (in which case the Budget Holder administers the monies).

It is extremely important to remember that the system is very complicated and it is highly recommended that help is sought. Not only can they help you get the best from the system – but they can help advise you of changes which are constantly taking place.

You will find below a few websites which will hopefully provide you with some information:

• www.pgb.nl
  Per Saldo - Dutch association of people with a PGB.
  (in Dutch. Details in English here)
• www.bureaujeugdzorg.info
  Bureau Jeugdzorg - This site provides general information over child and youth welfare in the Netherlands and it gives access to the local Bureaus Jeugdzorg.
  (in Dutch)
• www.bjznh.nl
  Bureau Jeugdzorg Noord-Holland - Association for child and youth welfare in Noord-Holland.
  (in Dutch)
• www.mee.nl
  MEE - MEE offers information, advice and support for anyone with a disability. MEE can assist you with the paperwork involved in applying with the PGB.
  (in Dutch)
• www.ciz.nl
  CIZ (Centrum Indicatiestelling Zorg) - This organization helps people to find if they are entitled to get cares under the AWBZ (National Act on Exceptional Medical Expenses).
  (in Dutch)
• www.studentenvoorpgb.nl
  Studenten voor PGB - Students association that offers services for children and young people with a disability.
  (in Dutch)
• http://persoonsgebonden-budget.startkabel.nl
  List of PGB-related websites.
  (in Dutch)
• www.pgb-vg.nl/download.htm
  List of PGB documents and forms.
  (in Dutch)

MEE

MEE (the new name for the SPD - Sociaal Pedagogische Dienst) is an organisation with specialists who can help answer questions on matters related to education, upbringing, housing, employment, social facilities, income, transport and leisure-time activities for anyone with a handicap, functional disability or chronic illness.

MEE is funded by the Dutch government and its services are available free of charge.

Their websites (they appear to be exclusively in Dutch) are:

• www.mee.nl
• www.meenederland.nl

You can type in your postcode to find the nearest MEE office.

• Flyer in English by MEE (Word file, 28 kB)
• Notes in English by the AAOF (Word file, 20 kB)
• List of local MEE websites

Public Lectures/Programmes
(Please note that the inclusion of these organisations/activities on this website does not automatically imply endorsement from the AAOF.)

BBC Radio 4 Programme "You and Yours" - focus on Autism during the month of October 2004.   See the "You and Yours" website for details - you can 'listen again' to the featured programmes. You will also find some interesting information.

Autism Support Groups
Many of these contain factsheets, background information and lists of further resources.  Organisations are listed below per country in alphabetical order.

The Netherlands

Autismecafé
Autismecafé is an initiative for parents and family members of children with autistic disorders.  In a relaxed atmosphere, you can meet others, receive information, ask questions and obtain assistance in finding help. At the moment Autismecafé organises parents evenings in Alphen aan den Rijn, Leiden and Den Haag.
www.autismecafe.nl  (in Dutch)

LNA - Landelijk Netwerk Autisme
The LNA (National Autism Network) promotes the practice of modified education methods and effective support for autistic pupils in regular and special elementary education, secondary education and occupational education through the enhancement of expertise and the exchange of information and experience.
www.landelijknetwerkautisme.nl (in Dutch and English)

NVA - Nederlandse Vereniging voor Autisme
Netherlands assocation for people withAutismconditions, and their parents and helpers.
www.autisme.nl (in Dutch)

SVA - Stichting Vakantie Autisme
Charitable organisation which provides respite care breaks. 
The SVA has printed a brochure (PDF file) regarding the holidays (summer camps. etc...) they organise for children and young adults with Autism in 2010.
www.autisme-sva.nl (in Dutch)

Belgium

Autisme Centraal
Professional organisation based in Belgium which supports professionals working with children with autism.  Provides practical and theoretical training in autism, publishes books onAutismand runs a consultation centre where individuals or schools can seek help. 
www.autismecentraal.com (in Vlaams)

United Kingdom

National Autistic Society
Extensive information about Autism, Asperger syndrome and related disorders, and about the support and services available in the UK.  Includes publications and document archive, and links to personal websites.
www.nas.org.uk

USA

Autism Society of America
Autism organisation that provides plenty of information and referral regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy in the USA.
www.autism-society.org

Nationwide organisations

Balans
Netherlands-wide support organisation for parents of children with conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc. 
www.balansdigitaal.nl (in Dutch)

Den Haag

ADHD Parent Support Group
Everyone is welcome to come along to our group if you have a child with ADD/ADHD or think that your child may have ADD/ADHD or just want to find out more information. Please join our relaxed, friendly group of international parents.
For more information contact Lisa Medved:
tel: 070 35 96 289
e-mail stan.medved@gmail.com

Dyslexia Parent Support Group
A friendly, internationally represented group for parent with dyslexic children. We meet monthly during term time either for an informal coffee morning or a chance to listen to a guest speaker with a specialist interest in dyslexia. A great way to meet other parents and to find out what services are available in your local area.
For more information contact Debra Lambert:
tel: 071 88 91 552
e-mail: debra.lambert@uku.co.uk

First Friends Playgroup
First Friends International Parent & Toddler Group meets every Wednesday morning during term time in Voorhout, from 9.30am to 11.30am. Parents of any nationality together with their babies/toddlers aged 0-4 and who enjoy speaking English are warmly welcome!
web: http://firstfriendsvoorhout.blogspot.com/
address: De Spelewey, Breughelhof 8, 2215 AB, Voorhout

Free Coaching and Counseling
Fiona Bennett is finishing her training and internship as a counsellor. She is able to offer free coaching and counseling. This is a great opportunity for people to have sensitive and supportive help at no cost. Some common issues that Fiona is trained in dealing with:

• difficulties with settling into and moving away from The Netherlands
  
• the challenges of living abroad
• family/marriage stress
• the adjustment to parenthood
• breaking habits and losing weight (it’s all in the mind!)
• careers and lifestyle developments
  

If anyone is interested they can contact Fiona:
email: fi.bennett.66@gmail.com
tel: 06 283 590 67 

Kentalis
Public organisation that aims at supporting children, youngsters, and adults who are hard of hearing, deaf, deaf-and-blind, visually impaired, those who are developmentally delayed in the field of speech and language, as well as those who are autistic or mentally disabled and in addition have difficulties with speech or language. Anyone confronted with barriers to communication is entitled to support from Kentalis in the form of diagnostics, care and education.
www.kentalis.nl (in Dutch)
www.kentalis.nl International (in English)