ALABAMA AUTISM TASK FORCE

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HOUSE LIVE AUDIO

On March 20, 2007, State Representative Cam Ward and Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. announced the formation of the Alabama Autism Task Force. House Joint Resolution 23 was passed by the legislature on March 8 and signed into law by Governor Riley shortly afterwards. The task force is made up of state officials, educators, doctors, and members of the academic community to recommend ways to improve the treatment of autism in Alabama.

State Rep. Cam Ward, who has a child with autism, said as many as one in 150 children in the United States have autism. "With any other disorder or disease, this would be considered an epidemic," Ward, R-Alabaster, said at the news conference to promote the formation of the task force.

Summary of 2008 National Autism Policy Conference

Meeting Minutes
Overview of Center for Autism and Related Disabilites - (PowerPoint Presentation)
Adult Subcommittee Meeting #4 -12/15/08
Diagnosis and Screening - 11/12/08
Ad Hoc Committee of the Alabama Autism Task Force - 10/8/08
Full Task Force Meeting - 9/30/08
Diagnosis and Early Screening Sub-Committee - 9/17/08
Adult Subcommittee Meeting - 9/16/08
Full Task Force Meeting - 9/11/08
Healthcare Subcommittee -8/25/08
Diagnosis and Screening Meeting #2 - 8/20/08
Adult Subcommittee Meeting #2 (including handouts) - 8/5/08
Systems of Care - 7/15/08
Diagnosis and Screening Meeting - 7/16/08
June 17th Full Task Force Meeting
Adult Service Meeting #1 - 7/1/08

2007 Task Force Minutes

Lt. Governor Jim Folsom and Cam Ward for the Glenwood Autism Heroes Campaign

Rep. Cam Ward joins Jerry the Frog in throwing out the first pitch for autism at the Huntsville Stars baseball game

State is set to hire autism coordinator

Friday, Sept 12, 2008
By Steve Doyle
Times Staff Writer

Task Force's Ward says Legislature has provided funds

Alabama's efforts to help people with autism are gaining steam.

Shelby County lawmaker Cam Ward, who chairs the state Autism Task Force, visited Huntsville Thursday to deliver some good news: The Legislature has added $75,000 to next year's budget to hire a state autism coordinator. [ read more ]

Legislature should take autism recommendations seriously
Opelika-Auburn News
Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The battle to help thousands of Alabamians, including family, cope with autism could be waged in the chambers of state lawmakers next month when the Legislature convenes in Montgomery.
Spearheaded by Rep. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), the Alabama Autism Task Force should make a number of suggestions in efforts to improve care for the autistic in areas such as education, systems of care, intervention services, family support and health care. [ read more ]

News
Number of autistic children in Alabama's public schools growing rapidly; teachers lack training to deal with autism
Poll illustrates need for action on autism
Help for autism - The Birmingham News
Alabama Autism task force cares - The Kaleidoscope Online
State's neglect of mental health is unconscionable - TuscaloosaNews.com
Tour seeks autism funding - Lauren Cabral, The Crimson White Online
Ward Visits BCLC during Autism Tour- Karen George, Centreville Press
Autism hearing today at church - Steve Doyle, The Huntsville Times
Autism Awareness - SFHS Autism program only one of its kind in County -Kathy Ferniary, Sun Staff Writer
Alabama Autism Task Force - by Holly Ames, WKRG News October 9, 2007
Autism to be topic at assembly hearing - Spanish Fort High School's Project Outreach and Alabama Autism Task Force organize events
State autism task force visits the Plains
Article in the ACDD Advocate regarding the Alabama Autism Task Force
Rep. Cam Ward Commends Creation of House Committee on Mental Health
Health Care Sub-Committee Approves Goals
Autism Task Force Sub-Committees Announced

Autism Task Force meets in Mobile
Thursday, January 17,2008
by Greta Sharp, Correspondent

Autism is a growing problem in Alabama, state Rep. Cam Ward, R- Alabama, told about 100 parents, educators and state officials at the Little Tree Learning Center in west Mobile on Wednesday at a meeting of that Alabama Autism Task force. [read more]

State Representative Jim Barton Supports autism awareness at the 1 st annual Autism Tennis Tournament at Heron Lakes Country Club in Mobile
Gov. Bob Riley signs Riley Ward Act of 2008, sponsored by Rep. Ward, into Law along with Autism Society members and family

Autistic Alabama kids lack many services, report says

Thursday, January 24, 2008
LISA OSBURN
News staff writer

As a growing number of parents face the challenges of raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder, Alabama has a "significant weakness" in providing services for these families, according to statewide research.

The Alabama Autism Task Force released a preliminary report on Wednesday, creating a bleak picture of confusion and frustration these families face. In Alabama, about 30,000 people have autism spectrum disorders.

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider the disorders an "urgent health problem in need of targeted public health action." Autism spectrum disorders involve impairments in communication and social skills and a restricted range of activities and interests. The degree of impairment can range greatly depending on the individual. (read more)

Cam and Julie Ward join friends from Mitchell's Place for Autism Walk at Hoover Met

Rep. Cam Ward and Tuawana McGee, a member of the Alabama Autism Task Force, visit with Special Education classes in West Blocton

Rep. Cam Ward and Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr.
announce the creation of the Alabama Autism Task Force