Facilities For The Developmentally Disabled

[butteryworld]

I run a small NGO just outside of Chiang Mai. We operate childrens' homes, after school and Saturday schools, and microenterprise programs. We have recently been approached by the family of a newly orphaned autistic child asking that we take the child in. A quick check of our area suggests that there are literally dozens and dozens of autistic children and adults being hidden at home by their families, usually at great expense to the family and to the great detriment of the disabled person. We are considering developing a program, but before we do, we want to be sure that there are no obvious alternatives.

Does anyone know of public or private day or residential programs for the autistic (or more generally developmentally disabled)? Does anyone know of any organizations that provide assistance to such people? Information to their parents? (These don't have to be in Chiang Mai. I am happy to travel for research.)

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. The internet's lack of useful information has proved only that this is really the taboo subject everyone tells us it is!

M