I've just returned from a meeting in Springfield concerning Autism in Vermont.
As was raised at the forum by other attendees, Southern Vermont seems to be isolated from much of the state in terms of these kinds of developments, and services that are offered elsewhere in the state that do not exist for us here in Brattleboro. In fact, information about these forums never hit the media here in southern vermont that I'm aware of - I got the news from the Rutland Herald earlier this week, thanks to my son who brought it to my attention, or I would have missed it entirely.
It was stated by one attendee, "Vermont doesn't seem to exist from White River on down" and another narrowed it yet further by stating "vermont doesn't exist anywhere south of Montpelier".
Therefore, this post.
I attended what seems to have been the last forum hosted by the Act 35 steering committee, and I include the introduction at the end of this post, along with a link to a PDF file that reports these same issues on the federal level.
I am also offering a copy of the list of priorities mentioned in the introduction, as well as a copy of four forum questions that give the reader an opportunity to offer recommendations in defining and moving forward with services, and an invitation to include additional input for this committee to consider. Just contact me, and I'll send these copies out to you if I can't hand deliver them.
If the goals are realized, it sounds like a very hopeful time for people who have ASD diagnosis, and their families.
I am hoping that this new awareness comes in time to offer some hope to my own son, who is 25 years old and had tragically been misdiagnosed for most of those years.
This federal report appeared recently on the web:
http://www.autism-info.org/2007_employment_&_ASD_report.pdf
The gist of the forum:
Introduction to Autism Forums
“Act 35, An act relating to Autism Spectrum Disorders, was passed by the legislature and signed
By the governor in mid-May, 2007. It directs the Vermont Agency of Human Services and the Department of Education to develop a plan for providing services for people with ASD across the lifespan and in their homes, schools and communities. The legislation requires the involvement of key stakeholders in the development of the plan. In response to this, the Agency of Human services and the Department of Education have invited individuals with ASD, families, community providers and state officials to participate on committees to help develop this plan. About 85 stakeholders have been organized into six committees to work on developing components of this plan. The committees began meeting in August and have been hard at work developing recommendations for the state plan. In addition to this, these forums have been organized to gather additional input from the public on the direction the state should take in further developing services and supports for people with ASD. The input gathered from these forums and the work of the committees will synthesize into a report that will go to the legislature in January 2008.”
(here I omit information that addresses ground rules for the forum itself; ie; three minute limit per speaker)
Concluding with:
“We are offering you a chance to rate your top three priorities for the state. You received a list of possible priorities when you came in. Please circle the top 3 priorities and leave at the door when you leave. This will help us decide what’s most important to you as we develop the plan."
"We appreciate your taking your time to provide input on this important topic”
For anyone interested, you may contact me via this site, or call me at 254-8848 and I will see to it that you receive a copy of the two forms that ask for public input.