Autism Society of ND
The Autism Society of North Dakota is actively involved in many activities and in advocating for several issues relating to autism in North Dakota. Listed below are the activities, issues, and links to related correspondence.
Autism Guidelines:
In March 2007, after hearing many comments about the state autism guidelines,
we conducted a review. Our primary concern was that the state guidelines
needed to address the entire autism spectrum.
Here are the state
guidelines
This is a cover letter sent to the DPI
Here is the
Review of the Guidelines
The State responded with this
letter
A second response was
received two months later
Our final correspondence
Finally
Legislation passed in 2009
Educational Autism Assessment:
Another issue of concern to AutismND is the proper method for children to receive the service they
need in school.
This is
an overview of issues relating to the educational autism assessment.
State Autism Plan:
In November 2008, work began on the creation of a state autism plan. Several meetings were held, and Mark Sloan represented AutismND at each of these meetings. Listed here is the information from each of those meetings.
Introductory letter
Meeting
agenda November 2008
Meeting
notes November 2008
State
Plan Timeline
Meeting
agenda January 2009
Meeting
notes January 2009
Survey
Survey Detailed
Meeting
agenda February 2009
Meeting
notes February 2009
Brainstorming Chart
GPAST
Suggestions
Meeting
agenda May 2009
Meeting
notes May 2009
Survey
ASD In Schools
Special Ed related to Autism ASD Legislative Bills
DHS Report
Meeting
agenda June 2009
Meeting
notes June 2009
Health Resources
Recommendations
With the passage of
legislation creating a State Autism Task Force, this
group concluded its work. All information and ideas gathered were passed
on to the Task Force in the form of a final
report.
State Council on Developmental Disabilities:
To include autism interests, the governor appointed Mark Sloan to serve on
the State Council for Developmental Disabilities in
March 2008. Mark was
appointed to a four year term in
March 2009. For more information about the council, visit their web
site at: www.ndscdd.org
Mr. Sloan volunteers his time (taking vacation from his job) to serve on the
council.
Autism Advocates:
A meeting was held at the Anne Carlson Center for Children in Jamestown on Friday, July 18th from 10 AM to 3 PM. The meeting was sponsored by NDCPD and was a gather of all the autism advocacy groups across the state. The purpose of the meeting was to review information about the waiver and insurance mandates and try to create a strategic plan for legislative action. Mark Sloan and Kristen Wallman attended and represented AutismND. The group supported a Medicare autism carve out waiver and the development of a State Autism Plan.
Monthly conference calls were then began among the participants, and Jocelyn Sloan attend those on behalf of AutismND.
Act Early Summit:
Jocelyn Sloan represented AutismND at the Act Early Summit held in Salt Lake City in March 2009.
Invitation Letter
Notice of
Summit
Agenda
State
Plan Activities
State of the State Presentation
Participants
Logic
Model (The
Logic Model was meant to be the basis for a state plan on autism)
State Autism Task Force:
AutismND will support the work of the State Autism Taskforce in anyway we
can.
in June 2009, We
recommended
members for the Autism Task force. After quite a bit of discussion about who
would best serve the autism community, AutismND formally recommend Dr. Barb
Stanton (psychologist) and Kristen Wallman (parent). We did not have any
suggestions for any of the other positions.
Insurance Issues:
The Autism Society of America, of which we are a chapter, has prepared model legislation.
A meeting was held in December 2008 with representatives of Blue Cross Blue
Shield of North Dakota. Jocelyn Sloan attended as a representative of
AutismND.
North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium:
Autism ND joined the NDDAC in October 2008. Our hope is to add autism
related issues to their mission.
For more information, visit their web site:
www.nddac.org
Chapter Leaders Workshop:
In September 2006, Jocelyn Sloan represented AutismND at an ASA Chapter
leaders workshop in North Carolina.
Autism Resource Showcase:
In celebration of Autism Awareness Month, AutismND sponsored a
Resource Showcase in
Fargo. Mark Sloan staffed the AutismND booth for the event.
National Night Out:
In August 2008, Mark and Jocelyn Sloan staffed an AutismND booth at the
National Night Out celebration in West Fargo.
Parents Fair:
In March 2008, Jocelyn Sloan represented AutismND at the MeritCare Parents
Fair in Fargo.
In April 2009, AutismND sent materials and display information to the Parents
Fair in Fort Totten.
Awareness:
In September 2009, Jocelyn Sloan staffed an AutismND booth at the
Logan Frank benefit in Fargo.
In October 2009, AutismND sent materials and display information to the American
Indian Health Research Conference in Grand Forks.
ACT EARLY Campaign:
The CDC sponsored the nation wide ACT Early campaign in the fall of 2007. Through the
national ASA, local champions were identified. Jocelyn Sloan distributed
the ACT Early information across the state of North Dakota.
Autism Awareness Month:
To further our mission of advocacy, AutismND asked the Governor of North
Dakota to proclaim
April as Autism Awareness Month. Governor Hoeven was supportive, and did
so in 2008, in
2009, and in 2010.
Presentations:
Jocelyn Sloan traveled to Bismarck in September 2007 to give an
presentation
to the Bismarck-Mandan child care providers.
Jocelyn Sloan and Dr. Barb Stanton have given a couple
presentations to law enforcement about dealing with individuals with ASD.
Mark Sloan traveled to Bismarck in April 2008 and gave a
presentation on Autism
to the North Dakota Financial Aid Officers. This presentation was very
well received, and the group donated very generously to AutismND.
In April 2009, Jocelyn Sloan and Sharon Solum gave a
presentation to Religious Education teachers in the Fargo area.
Lorman workshop - 2008 Jocelyn Sloan
presented local resources.
Lorman workshop - 2009 Mark Sloan
presented on local
resources.
(Jocelyn and Mark traded tasks. She attended the Act Early
Summit, and he presented at this workshop)
A template
is used to create each of our presentations.
Red River Valley Asperger Network:
Since its inception, RRVAN and AutismND have worked closely together. Mark Sloan serves on the RRVAN Board as a liaison to AutismND in an effort to better coordinate activities.
To learn more about RRVAN, visit their web site:
www.rrvasperger.org
Advocacy:
Jocelyn Sloan spends many hours each month in contact with individuals
regarding ASD issues.
Web site:
Jocelyn and Mark Sloan maintain the AutismND web site. Updates are made
when material and time become available. Suggestions for content are
appreciated.
Newsletter:
While many attempts have been made, AutismND does not publish a newsletter.
Jocelyn Sloan occasionally sends informational updates out to the membership via
e-mail. Volunteers to create a newsletter are needed.
Fundraising:
No organized attempts have been made to raise funds. We do accept
donations. Volunteers are needed to spearhead
fundraising and grant writing.
Staff:
The Autism Society of North Dakota has no paid staff. All work is done by volunteers giving their time to complete these activities.
AutismND
628 Sixth Avenue
Alice, ND 58031
