The Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders met on November 18th in Jefferson City. The subcommittees of the commission reported on their initial proposals for recommended goal areas. The subcommittees will continue to work on these goals over the next months.
Education: This committee must: 1) Assess special education capacity by region, 2) Develop recommendations regarding certification and degree programs. They are currently conducting a survey of chief academic officers. They are continuing to look at additional goal focuses.
Workforce Development: The committee reported their initial ideas for goal areas including: 1) Practical training for employers on employment of people with autism, 2) Develop a task force consisting of state agencies and providers to further examine issues, 3) Emphasis during Transition on job choices, and 4) Address rural transportation needs so that people can get to their job. Discussion of the commission concerned whether an additional task force was necessary. The TechNow program was also discussed.
Health: This committee will: 1) Develop standards for screening, diagnosis, and assessment of autism spectrum disorders. This goal has been addressed through the Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative, 2) Review and recommend whether additional autism centers are needed. The committee is learning towards moving to a network to connect providers as most diagnoses are made by community practitioners, and 3) Explore issues regarding prevalence data, 4) Access to specialists and mental health providers.
Family and Individual Supports: This committee will discuss: 1) Care coordination, 2) Identification of resource needs for families and individuals through a statewide needs assessment, 3) Improved Crisis Care and Prevention of Crises, 4) Improvements in training across agencies that touch the lives of people with autism through identification of councils, committees, and trainings already in place that could be targets for infusion of training, 5) Information for families regarding diagnosis and resources, and 6) services and supports for adults with autism and their families.
