| Alabama Autism Task Force UAB 2008 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Alabama Autism Task Force and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Council will convene at UAB to discuss the potential development of University-Based Regional Autism Centers
Birmingham, AL -- A special meeting of the Alabama Autism Task Force and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Council has been called. The meeting will be held in Birmingham on Thursday, December 11th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Hill Center located on University Boulevard. Seating for the morning session is limited and therefore by invitation only. An afternoon session will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the Hill Center’s Alumni Auditorium and is open to the public.
The State Autism Task Force has been studying the university-based Florida regional autism center model to support the growing numbers of children and adults with autism in Alabama and their families. To further understand Florida’s Center for Autism and Related Disability (CARD) model, the featured speaker for both sessions is University of South Florida’s CARD Center Director Karen Berkman. Dr. Berkman will discuss the history, structure and function of the seven existing CARD Centers.
Following Berkman’s presentation, there will be an opportunity for discussion. The Task Force and Interagency Council, along with other interested parties will begin to evaluate how a model such as CARD can be effective in Alabama.
The event is being organized jointly by the Autism Society of Alabama, the Alabama Education Association and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry.
About the Alabama Autism Task Force The Task Force was created by House Joint Resolution 23 sponsored by Representative Cam Ward and Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr. The Task Force, now in its second year, will be making recommendations to the State Legislature to improve services for individuals with autism in Alabama.
About the Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (IACC) The IACC is comprised of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), parents of individuals with ASD, representatives from State Agencies and public and private service providers. The IACC will be responsible for the implementation of the recommendations put forth by the Alabama Autism Task Force.
About the Autism Society of Alabama The Autism Society of Alabama supports individuals with autism and their families through education and advocacy. ASA is a grassroots organization serving the state of Alabama with support groups, information and referral, educational conferences and seminars, parent scholarships, family camps, lending libraries and an interactive website. ASA increases awareness by hosting walks in April, Autism Awareness Month, and by holding other events throughout the year.
For more information on the work of the Alabama Autism Task Force, please visit www.autism-alabama.org or www.camward.com. For more information on this event, please contact Jennifer Muller at the Autism Society of Alabama 205-951-1364 ext. 808. ### Autism Society of Alabama |