Holiday Greetings from the Autism Society of Ohio

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Holiday Greetings from the Autism Society of Ohio

The Autism Society of Ohio (ASO) wishes you and your family the happiest of holidays and a very Happy New Year. In this season of giving, please consider supporting ASO with a donation for the holidays and/or the New Year so we may continue our work at the state level for individuals with autism and their families in Ohio.

As the year comes to a close, we look back to see where our efforts to support the autism community has taken our organization. Some of the projects we are working on and other services we provided include:

ASO continues to effectively participate in the implementation of the Ohio Autism Taskforce recommendations. A status report on the progress of the recommendations is available at the ASO website www.autismohio.org

The ASO president serves on the advisory board of OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence), the MRDD Futures Commitee and various other statewide committees and taskforces. The Futures Committee, along with other MRDD system stakeholders, helps the state department to recommend changes that will improve individual choice, support quality outcomes, assure that the system uses sound financial and service delivery practices, and address the long term sustainability of funding.

ASO is working actively to pass HB170 - Autism Insurance Parity. This includes development of an advocacy network, meeting with legislators, coordinating testmony and collecting information and support for this initiative.

ASO promotes autism awareness through the Ohio Autism Awareness License plate and other activities. Approximately $25,000 of revenue generated this past year from the sale of the license plate supported the following activities:

$5,000 sponsorship for speaker at NATTAP (Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs) conference in Columbus that drew over 1500 attendees.

$3,400 to sponsor a Legislative Breakfast and present awards to three legislators, Senator J. Kirk Schuring, Representative Bacon, and Representative Jon , for their support of individuals with autism and their families. Senator Schuring and Rep. Bacon’s work, in collaboration with ASO, championed the appropriation of the Autism Early Screening Pilot Program in the budget bill – HB119 to train medical professionals to recognize and appropriately screen for autism.

$5,000 grant to OCALI to cover copies and distribution of the Ohio’s Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders.

$2,010 support to local ASA chapters in Ohio.

ASO worked in close partnership with the Ohio legislature for promoting improvements in services for persons with autism in Ohio. ASO advocated language to the 2005 budget bill to create OCALI, and the legislation to create the autism awareness license plate.

A comprehensive website – view the latest news and links to connect with other chapters around the state, general information, events database, legislation news, and polls.

Legislative Advocacy – ASO has participated in the efforts of the Autism Caucus in the Ohio General Assembly formed to familiarize legislators with autism, issues related to autism and what individuals with autism face when looking for and accessing services in Ohio. In October, ASO provided an “autism 101â€, information on what local ASA chapters do in Ohio and information about ASO and our efforts and initiatives for the House of Representatives. A similar meeting will be held in the near future for Ohio Senators.

Email alert system – autism information at your fingertips regarding important legislation requiring public comment/support to legislators and a listing of upcoming events around the state of Ohio.

Support of local chapters – providing information and support.

Promoting collaboration statewide through the Ohio Autism Coalition. Members include local ASA chapters from around the state and other autism support groups. ASO co-president Barb Yavorcik chairs.

As you can see, ASO provides an effective conduit for chapters and autism advocates in Ohio to speak with an effective voice. Please consider the Autism of Ohio in your plans for benevolent contributions and see it as an investment for all of those in Ohio who are affected by those who are diagnosed in the autism spectrum.

2008 guarantees to be another exciting and productive year for ASO. Visit our website www.autismohio.org often to view updates on the various programs listed above and new ones on the horizon as ASO fulfills its mission “to provide a unified voice on a statewide and national level for individuals with ASD, their families and service providers through information dissemination, advocacy, support of local organizations, and the influence of public policy to empower persons with ASD to reach their maximum potential and inclusion in the communityâ€. You can also sign up to be part of our email alert system by "registering" in the upper right hand corner of the homepate

Donations can be made to ASO through our website by visiting www.autismohio.org and clicking on "Donate to ASO" or sending a donation to:

The Autism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311

Thank you for helping us to advocate for persons with autism and their families throughout Ohio.

Sincerely,

Sawan Caruso and Barbara C. YavorcikCo-PresidentsAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...web: www.autismohio.org See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.