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JOIN US IN ASKING NORTH DAKOTA LAWMAKERS NOT TO CLOSE THE WINDOW ON AUTISM
  1. Signatures
    263 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. The ND State Senate (+ 17 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The ND State Senate
      • The ND State House
      • State Sen. Dick Dever (ND-032)
      • State Sen. Robert Erbele (ND-028)
      • State Sen. Tim Mathern (ND-011)
      • State Sen. Gerald Uglem (ND-019)
      • State Rep. Donald Clark (ND-044A)
      • State Rep. Kathy Hogan (ND-021B)
      • State Rep. Robert Kilichowski (ND-016A)
      • State Rep. Alon Wieland (ND-013B)
      • State Sen. Joan Heckaman (ND-023)
      • State Sen. Judy Lee (ND-013)
      • State Rep. Donald Clark (ND-044A)
      • Chair, ND Autism Task Force (JoAnne Hoesel)
      • Office of the Governor and Lt Governor (Governor Dalrymple and Lt. Governor Wrigley c/o Ms. Weiler)
      • Director, Special Education (Alison Dollar)
      • Coordinator, Special Education Research (Steve Bourgois)
      • ND State Superintendent of Pubic Instruction (Dr. Wayne Sanstead)
  2. Created By
    Bert Tronsgaard
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
Why This Is Important

Every day we don’t act, a window closes for a child with ASD in North Dakota.

At the appointment of the Governor, an Autism Task Force was established in 2009 to determine the needs of families and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the state of North Dakota.

It's now 2012 and, while we greatly appreciate the work of the Task Force, the people of North Dakota are still waiting for state leaders and agencies to act on the findings and recommendations reported by the ASD Task Force in their Intitial State Autism Plan.

The seven recommendations are:
1. Early Identification and Screening
2. Appropriate and Effective Practices
3. Quality Providers
4. Shared Funding
5. Information Access
6. Family Support
7. Accountability

All three year old children with an early diagnosis of ASD in 2009, when the ASD study in our state was called for, are now 6 years old. A critical window of early intervention, holding the promise of a brighter more independent future for the child with autism, has closed. 

The ASD Task Force research indicates that current ASD services are inadequate, information is scarce, and training is needed for parents and professionals. Families are distressed and children are losing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Support and collaboration for the successful treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder is shared by the Department of Public Instruction, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, state and federal programs, private medical providers in our state, and local community groups, as well as families. Accountability and successful coordination among agencies is imperative. 

Read the full report and Initial State Autism Plan here: http://www.autismnd.org/Documents/Activities/Autism_Task_Force_Report_2010.pdf

JOIN US IN ASKING NORTH DAKOTA LAWMAKERS: PLEASE FUND THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER TASK FORCE INITIAL STATE PLAN.

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

PLEASE FUND THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE INITIAL STATE AUTISM PLAN

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: North Dakota State Lawmakers.
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At the appointment of the Governor, an Autism Task Force was established in 2009 to determine the needs of families and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the state of North Dakota.

It's now 2012 and the people of North Dakota are still waiting for state leaders and agencies to act on the findings and recommendations reported by the ASD Task Force in their Intitial State Autism Plan.

The Task Force Report and Initial State Plan indicate that current ASD services are inadequate, information is scarce, and training is needed for parents and professionals. Families are distressed and children are losing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

The seven recommendations are:
1. Early Identification and Screening
2. Appropriate and Effective Practices
3. Quality Providers
4. Shared Funding
5. Information Access
6. Family Support
7. Accountability

Read the full report and Initial State Plan here: http://www.autismnd.org/Documents/Activities/Autism_Task_Force_Report_2010.pdf

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders with an estimated average occurrence of 1 in 110 children in the United States having an ASD. ASD can cause significant impairments in the areas of socialization, behavior, learning, and communication. These deficits can lead to serious interference with daily living. Characteristics do not usually manifest until between one and three years of age. Symptoms and levels of impairment vary widely.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control emphasize early detection and intervention in their Learn the Signs—Act Early Campaign.

All three year old children with an early diagnosis of ASD in 2009, when the ASD study in our state was called for, are now 6 years old. A critical window of early intervention, holding the promise of a brighter more independent future for the child with autism, has closed.

Support and collaboration for the successful treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder is shared by the Department of Public Instruction, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, state and federal programs, private medical providers in our state, and local community groups, as well as families. Accountability and successful coordination among agencies is imperative.

Every day we don’t act, a window closes for a child with ASD in North Dakota.
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Sincerely,

[Your name]