Autism Task Force (ATF)

The Autism Task Force was formed in July 2003 by Estelle B. Richman, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DWP). Secretary Richman assigned State Representative Dennis O'Brien, as an Honorary Chair; and Administering Co-chairs: Dr. Nancy Minshew, Dr. David Mandell and Ms. Nina Cote, MSS, LSW. The committee, along with 250 people developed a plan for a new system for individuals living with autism and their families that would make Pennsylvania a national model of excellence in autism service delivery.

The Task Force was divided into twelve subcommittees, each of which focused on current practices, problems and potential solutions. The final report was developed December 2004, and included the following:

SPECIFIC PROBLEMS

Theme 1:  The Current Mental Health/Mental Retardation System is not Structured to Meet the Needs of People Living with Autism and Other Chronic Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Theme 2:  Pennsylvania is Experiencing a Dearth of Qualified, Trained Professionals to Evaluate, Treat, Educate and Provide Other Services to People Living with Autism

Theme 3:  There are Almost No Community-Based Services for Adults with Autism

Theme 4:  There is a Lack of Coordination Within and Across the Multiple Systems that Provide Care for People Living with Autism

Theme 5:  The Current System Provides No Incentive for Delivering Quality Care

Theme 6:  There is No Cohesive Set of Policies and Plans to Provide Consistent Care and Education to People Living with Autism Across the Commonwealth

Theme 7:  The Existing System is not able to Address Differences in Individuals Living with Autism

Theme 8:  The Current Education System does not Meet the Needs of People Living with Autism

FIVE PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

1.  Create an Office of Disability within the Department of Public Welfare the has a Bureau or Division of Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders;

2.  Create a consumer-led organization that provides information about autism services in multiple systems and advocates for the needs of individuals living with autism;

3.  Develop an autism-specific Medicaid Waiver to allow for greater flexibility and creativity in providing services for this population;

4.  Situate Regional Autism Centers across the state that provide high quality services to individuals with autism, train professionals in the area to assess and evaluate the needs of people living with autism, provide education and supports to families, and create opportunities for research to continually improve treatment and supports;

5.  Develop creative mechanisms for blending and braiding funding between education and Medicaid to ensure coordinated, collaborative care across systems.

 The full report can be viewed at the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare website, "The Autism Task Force Final Report."