The Expert Think Tank, made up of affected families and individuals, program directors, university professors, public policy authorities and specialists from both the public and private sectors, met on January 23-24 in New York City. The three main areas of focus were housing, employment and community integration. The participants identified gaps in current services and laid out strategies for filling them. They also brainstormed broad solutions, such as creating an information clearinghouse to connect the autism community, a national public awareness campaign to debunk myths about autism, and political strategies for getting the issue on a national policy agenda. The group discussed ideas on how to effectively address these areas and has posted a summary report as well as an addendum to that report.

To view the Think Tank Summary Report and the Think Tank Addendum, click here.

The solution to the future of adults with autism isn't immediate and the AFAA aims to be thoughtful and methodical in arriving at a strategy. The next step, which will build upon the results of the Think Tank, is a virtual National Town Hall meeting on November 13, 2009 incorporating input from 15 locations and more than 1000 stakeholders. For more information about this phase, please click here for the Town Hall section of the AFAA web site or contact Serena Selkin at sselkin@autismspeaks.org.

The Organization for Autism Research, with support provided by New York Center for Autism, conducted a survey of service delivery models regarding housing, employment and community integration services for adults with autism in the U.S. A. Click here to view the report.