To successfully address autism a large number of problems need to be addressed, optimally in a coordinated fashion. These include
- Education for challenging students
- Providing coordinated and effective medical care for complex multifaceted interrelated problems
- Health insurance to cover this care
- Coordinating science across domains
- Food policy
- Toxics policy
- Public awareness and skill in dealing with people who have different cognitive and perceptual orientations and “hidden disabilities”
Consistent with the premise of this website, how you answer the three core questions of “What is autism, What causes autism, and How can we help” will fundamentally shape how you frame policy initiatives and priorities.
Here is a start on some autism policy information resources. Further suggestions are welcome.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
- The Interagency Autism Coordinating Council, of Health and Human Services: http://iacc.hhs.gov/
- The Association of University Centers on Disabilities: http://www.aucd.org/
- TheNational Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) autism policy overview
- NCSL Autism Legislation Database
SOME NATIONAL ADVOCACY ENTITIES CONCERNED WITH POLICY:
- Autism Speaks – mostly around very particular agendas (insurance reform and research): http://www.autismspeaks.org/ , and their Autism Votes initiative.
- Easter Seals autism policy blogs: http://autismblog.easterseals.com/category/public-policy/
- Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org
OTHER ADVOCACY ENTITIES CONCERNED WITH POLICY ISSUES:
- The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnersnip, GRASP: http://grasp.org/
- The National Autism Association: http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/
- US Autism and Aspergers Association: http://www.usautism.org/
- Autism Self Advocacy Network: http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
- Autism Global Initiative (www.autismwebsite.com/agi)
- Canary Party www.canaryparty.org
ISSUE-ORIENTED RESOURCES
Housing
- Technical Assistance Collaborative: www.tacinc.org
Employment
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU RRTC) autism center efforts on transition from school to work: http://www.worksupport.com
POLICY WEBSITES AND BLOGS: TOWARD A LIST
