State’s Autism Advisory Board meets ahead of 2020 legislative session

The New York State’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Advisory Board held its annual public meeting yesterday. This initiative is unique to New York State and an integral part of Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara’s (D-Albany) Autism Action Plan he established in the chamber.The measure (Ch. 469 of 2016) created the state’s first Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Board to develop, implement and update a statewide Autism Action Plan, incorporate new information as it becomes available, and creates a central location for services.

“Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the country, and there is a crisis for support services that needs immediate attention,” said Santabarbara, who chairs the Assembly’s sub-Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders. His 18-year-old son Michael has lived with autism his entire life.

“Today’s meeting will help bring to light many of the important issues we still face and help the state legislature set an agenda that can help individuals and families affected by autism in the upcoming 2020 legislative session,” Assemblyman Santabarbara added. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to so many for the on-going support to help make this possible here in New York.”

According to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 57 children are now born with autism each year in the United States, up from 1 in 68 in 2012 and the number has nearly doubled in less than 20 years.