Learn about the council

The Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Council) was established by legislation in 1987 that added Chapter 114 to the Human Resources Code. Its mission is to advise and make recommendations to state agencies and the state legislature to ensure that the needs of persons of all ages with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders and their families are addressed and that all available resources are coordinated to meet those needs.

The Council is composed of seven public members, the majority of whom are family members of a person with autism or a pervasive developmental disorder, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate. A representative from each of the following state agencies serves as an ex officio member:

The Council is required to meet at least four times a year and produce an annual report each November.

The Council’s Advisory Task Force and Regional Advisory Committee Chairs advise the Council on contemporary issues affecting services, such as:

intervention and treatment strategies;
personnel training and education;
referral, screening, and evaluation services;
day, respite, and residential care services;
vocational and adult training programs;
public awareness strategies;
research;
early identification and diagnosis strategies;
family counseling and case management; and
recommendations for monitoring service programs.

The Council makes recommendations to the agencies providing services to persons with autism and other PDD, and advises the legislature about legislation needed to develop and maintain quality intervention and treatment services.

For more information on the Council’s statutory mandate and structure, see:

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Updated: February 4, 2013