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DADS 2013 Reference Guide Online

(Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services) January 14, 2013
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) released its 2013 Reference Guide, an overview of the programs and services administered by DADS. Included are descriptions of services for Texans with autism and related conditions. View the 2013 Reference Guide.

DARS Autism Program Public Hearing

(Texas Council on Autism) August 2, 2012
The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) is providing an opportunity for early public comment and a notice of a public hearing on the draft rules affecting the DARS Autism Program. The program provides applied behavioral analysis and other positive behavior support strategies to eligible children, ages three through eight. The public hearing will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on August 15, 2012 at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center in Austin.

Autism in Texas: A Call to Action for the 83rd Texas Legislature

(Texas Council on Autism) July 13, 2012
The Texas Council on Autism hosted a meeting for legislators and staff with presentations on the Council's mandate and work, state and federal legislation and resources, autism's costs to society, and the Council's legislative priorities. The July 12, 2012 meeting was held at the Texas Legislative Conference Center and attended by legislative offices and other interested organizations and individuals. CDC estimates 1 in 88 children identified with an autism spectrum disorder

(Texas Council on Autism) March 29, 2012
One in 88 American children is now on the autism spectrum. That is a 23 percent increase from 2006 to 2008... read more from CDC

Research Finds Annual Cost of Autism More Than Tripled

(Texas Council on Autism) March 28, 2012
Autism Speaks announced preliminary results of new research that estimates autism costs society $126 billion per year; the costs of providing care for each person with autism affected by intellectual disability through his or her lifespan are $2.3 million in the U.S... read more from Autism Speaks

Fifteen New Members to Join Federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

(Texas Council on Autism) March 28, 2012
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced invitations to 15 individuals to serve as public members on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, a group charged with coordinating all efforts within HHS concerning autism spectrum disorder and developing and annually updating a strategic plan … continue reading this item

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Council special projects

Texas Autism Research and Resource Center

Required by House Bill 1574 (81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009), the Texas Autism Research and Resource Center launched its website in February 2011. The Council has contributed $100,000 to the development of the project. For more information, contact Alice Antilley.

Texas Strategic Plan for Autism Services

The Council continues to work with agencies to implement the 2010-2014 Texas State Plan for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (PDF format). For more information, contact Ron Ayer.

Study on the Costs and Benefits of Initiating a Pilot Project to Provide Services to Adults with ASD and Related Disabilities

Required by House Bill 1574 (81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009), the Study on the Costs and Benefits of Initiating a Pilot Project to Provide Services to Adults with ASD and Related Disabilities (PDF format) was delivered to state leadership in September 2010. Production of the study was partially funded by the Council. For more information, contact Ron Ayer.

Calendar

State Agency/Council Meetings

Other Events & Meetings

Please visit the Texas Autism Research and Resource Center for a schedule of events around Texas.

E-mail updates

If you would like to receive occasional e-mail updates from the Texas Council on Autism that may not appear on this website, e-mail Ron Ayer.

If you want to receive an e-mail about updates to the Council on Autism website, click here.

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) contracts with a company called GovDelivery, Inc., to provide e-mail updates. When you sign up for e-mail updates, you are giving your information to both DADS and to GovDelivery. When DADS has your information, it is subject to the DADS privacy policy. When GovDelivery has your information, it is subject to their privacy policy. Read the GovDelivery privacy policy.

Contact

You are welcome to directly contact any Council member, including those appointed by the governor, state agency representatives, and regional representatives to the Council. For contact information, click here.

For information pertaining to this website, meetings or general questions, please contact Ron Ayer.