Autism Task Force

The New York State Interagency Task Force on Autism

The OPWDD Autism Platform called for an Interagency Task Force on Autism that would examine how New York State supports people diagnosed with ASD within service systems that exist to support individuals with many different diagnoses and needs. Based on these findings, the Task Force was charged with crafting a response that would improve interagency coordination of services, maximize the impact and effectiveness of services and agency functions, elevate New York’s ASD competency, and identify opportunities for government to partner more effectively with private enterprise in support of individuals with ASD.

New York State undertook this exercise at a time when the State’s fiscal environment grew increasingly bleak. The Task Force was challenged to identify an appropriate response to the needs faced by those with ASD within the constraints of a monumental economic and budget crisis.

The Task Force completed its work in December 2009, and in January 2010, submitted its report to Governor David A. Paterson, the New York State Board of Regents, the leadership of the New York State Legislature, and the Inter-Office Coordinating Council. The report contains 13 findings related to the needs of New York citizens living with autism and numerous recommendations that will guide New York State to improve its support of these citizens in the coming years.

The short-term steps the Task Force has articulated embody immediate actions that will allow New York to embark on those improvements even now.

Members of the Task Force included Commissioners and Executive Directors of the following state agencies:

Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
State Education Department
Office of Mental Health
Office of Children and Family Services
Office of Temporary Disability Assistance
Department of Health
Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
Council on Children and Families
Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
New York State Insurance Department
DNYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

The number of Americans diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has risen dramatically in recent years. Estimates vary, but generally place the present incidence rate of ASD among children between one in every 91 ‐ 150 individuals. In public forums held in 2007, New York State’s service agencies heard about the tremendous needs facing people living with this diagnosis. ....

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