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Community Support

OUCARES proudly supports thousands of people impacted by autism as well as the broader community. These community supports include:

    • Free downloadable visual supports to improve the ways people with autism and other challenges can access Oakland University.
    • Help Needed and Services Offered
    • External Autism Resources

 

OUCARES is proud to share free resources with the community to help individuals and their families better access Oakland University. The links below include picture cards specific to campus.

Funding to create these resources was generously provided by an Oakland University Women and Philanthropy Grant.

If you are looking for specific services for an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder or their family, you can post it here. If you are a service provider or have special skills that you would like to share with someone in the autism community that can be posted here as well.

Contact us if you are interested in posting an ad whether you are looking for a babysitter, a therapist, a parent to talk to or for someone who may be interested in your services.

Please note that Oakland University is not responsible for nor are we recommending those who may respond to your ad. We are simply providing an avenue for families to find the assistance they need and for professionals to promote their services.

SERVICES OFFERED

Autastic Athletics - Tennis Program

Groups are forming now in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Genesee counties: for autistic athletes, by autistic athletes! Our coach has over 15 years of experience working with his fellow autistic individuals, and is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association! He also has been playing competitive tennis his whole life, and was the first autistic person to serve on the board for Autism Society of Michigan. Please email andrew@autastic-athletics.com or call (248)224-4151 for more information. (Posted 4/12/21)

Autism Support Design 24-7

Individualized, designed programs for adults and teens on the Spectrum to learn skills to achieve the best adult outcomes, are available to the ASD Community. Our programs are designed by a parent/educator with an M.E. in Special Ed-Autism Endorsement, who has a proven track record in helping people on the Spectrum be the best they can be, and are implemented by her son, a life coach on the Spectrum. This mother and son team have already helped multiple clients improve their skill sets in Life as well as become more in tune with their needs and their strengths as adults on the Spectrum. For more information please contact Doreen Ackner at dnackner@icloud.com or at (248)219-0457 (Posted 10/13/20)

Sheila Dryer –  Teacher with MAT in Autism and MAT in Reading 

With over 25 years of experience in teaching, I offer personalized support for individuals with autism and their families. My services are designed to foster growth, confidence, and independence in every stage of development.
My Services Include: 
Tutoring – Customized academic support tailored to each learner’s strengths and needs
Mentoring – One-on-one guidance to build self-esteem, communication, and social skills
Life Skills Coaching – Practical support for daily living, organization, and independence
Behavioral Support – Positive, evidence-based approaches for managing challenges

Whether your child needs extra help in school or a steady hand to guide everyday learning, I’m here to help.

Contact Info
Phone: 248-804-9920
Email: sdryer0062@gmail.com

HELP NEEDED

Respite Care/ CLS Worker Needed
Do you like to:  Go to the Zoo?  Working out at the YMCA? Bike Riding? Shopping?  Playing Video Games? Going to Comic Book Stores? Comic-Con? Watching 80-90s Movies?

Starting wage is $18.00/$20.00 an hour

We are in need of Community Living Support (CLS)/Respite Care workers to work with our two high functioning autistic men (ages 27 and 22).  The job will provide assistance to the family in the care of our children, while facilitating the children’s independence and integration into the community.  (Will work with only 1 boy at a time.)  The support is identified by their IPOS plans and will be provided in the children’s home and in community settings.  

This position is for 15-20 hours a week, with evening hours and some weekends, located in the Birmingham area (Maple and Adams.)

Minimal qualifications:

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Able to communicate expressively and receptively in order to follow individual plan requirements and participant-specific emergency procedures, and report on activities performed
  • In good standing with the law (i.e., not a fugitive from justice, a convicted felon, or an illegal alien)
  • Able to perform basic first aid procedures
  • Valid driver’s license and insurance with reliable transportation
  • Identify and understand social queues in a group setting
  • Patience and resilience 

The follow certificates are required.  Training will be provided to fill these requirements.

  • CPR/First Aid
  • Recipient Rights
  • Blood borne pathogens or Infectious Disease Control
  • Environmental Emergency Preparedness

Background checks are required.

This position gives a great opportunity to work on interpersonal skills and health care experience, social work experience and education.  

If interested, please submit resume with cover letter to JoAnn Smith at smithresidents@gmail.com (Posted 8/27/25)

Caregiver/ CLS Worker Needed - Flexible Hours
Looking for meaningful, part-time work? We’re hiring a caregiver for our 17-year-old son, who has autism. He is a fun, active teen who loves playing ball, swimming in our saltwater pool, listening to music, going for walks, and chilling at home.

Pay: $25–26 per hour (respite and CLS hours are paid slightly differently)
Schedule: Flexible hours (after school, evenings, and weekends). We’re happy to work around your class schedule, and we’re open to hiring more than one caregiver to cover shifts.
Location: Clinton Township (Hall & Heydenreich)

About Our Home: We have two super-friendly dogs (a golden retriever and a golden doodle), so you’ll need to be comfortable with pets!

What We’re Looking For:

  • Reliable, patient, and enjoys spending time with individuals with autism

  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

  • Comfortable completing a background check

  • Open to a few required trainings, which are mostly online.

Bonus (but not required):

  • Experience supporting individuals with autism

  • Studying special education, psychology, social work, or a related field

This is a great opportunity for students who want hands-on experience in education, psychology, social work, or health care—while also making a meaningful difference in their lives. 

If interested, please email Patti at lowhorn8@outlook.com (Posted 9/8/2025)

Caregiver Needed for a Loving Family
We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated caregiver to join our family in caring for our 5-year-old son Luka, who has medical needs and attends Wing Lake Developmental Center year-round. He weighs 31 lbs and requires lifting, so physical capability is necessary. Ideal Candidate:
◦ Thoughtful, patient, and committed to long-term caregiving
◦ Willing to become a valued part of our family
◦ CPR certified
◦ Able to provide a resume
Details:
◦ Training provided
◦ Competitive pay
◦ Schedule: 2-3 weekdays and one weekend shift (4-8 hours per shift)

If you're interested, please reach out with your resume. We look forward to meeting you! Sarah Kupczyk sc23carroll@gmail.com (Posted 9/17/2025)

Caregiver Needed
Seeking a caregiver for our 4 year old daughter. She is nonverbal autistic and currently attends special education preschool, speech therapy, OT and ABA during the week. She is super sweet, easy going, curious and fun. We also have a 6 year old son who will be home and you may be responsible for him as well but our daughter would be your main focus.

Responsibilities:
- help support her current developmental goals
- engage with her in preferred activities 
- work on number, color and letter recognition 
Qualifications:
- must be comfortable working with children while the parents are home or out
- outgoing, patient and reliable 
- experiences working with children with speech delays is preferred 
Hours and location:
Lake Orion near Lapeer and Silver Bell
2-4 hours on Saturdays and/or Sundays 
Please email kimberkholz@gmail.com if interested in applying. (Posted 9/18/25)

After School Support Needed
We are a family in Birmingham looking for someone to help with our three kids after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Additional hours available for the right candidate! We have a bright, mature, and responsible 11 year-old daughter who is in 6th grade (typically developing with mild ADHD), and energetic, inquisitive 8 year-old twin boys in 3rd grade who both have ADHD/Level 1 ASD diagnoses. Excellent opportunity for hands-on experience for students in related fields!
Help to our family looks like: 
- knowledge of ADHD/ASD; experience preferred
- helping with school pick-up(s)/driving to or from after school activities
- supporting after-school routine, dinner, bed-time, etc...
- willingness to be trained in specific intervention strategies 
- assistance with household chores
- reliable transportation and clean driving record; comfortable with driving children 
Must be patient, flexible, and willing to learn along with us! 
M, W, F Hours: 3pm - 8pm (approx.)
Additional T, Th, or weekend hours negotiable/flexible
We offer competitive pay, and are a very fun, caring, and easy-going family! Contact Sara at sara.truscott@gmail.com or call/text (248) 390-1552 for more information (Posted 10/14/25)

The information and links on the document below are provided as a resource. Oakland University is in no way responsible for the services or information provided by these links. We would, however, be interested in your feedback on the service providers or any of the informational sites. If you have had a negative or positive experience, please e-mail oucares@oakland.edu with your comments and we will keep them in mind as future information is posted.

Autism Resources

Oakland University Center for Autism Outreach

Pawley Hall, Room 381
456 Pioneer Dr.
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2424
oucares@oakland.edu