New York State provides a system of services, supports, and treatment for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) primary or secondary diagnosis. The Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH) contract with local voluntary providers to advance such system of services in order to meet the needs of certain individuals with an ASD. Access to these services however, can be hindered by various issues. In fact, in the 2010 report by the New York State Interagency Task Force on Autism, it was indicated that many families had a difficult time coordinating services for a loved one diagnosed with ASD.

The purpose of this public hearing is to examine the services, supports, and treatment options provided by OPWDD and OMH through local voluntaries; and identify any potential gaps in services, and potential improvements for access to services in order to better serve persons with ASD and their families.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on access to services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to: