Legislation

The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) is at the forefront of the effort to develop better federal, state and local policy impacting persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder. By combining the voices of more than 30 university and nonprofit partners, TAP has a large impact on assuring best practices and developing policies that make sense. Through its Consensus for Autism initiative, TAP brings together those in the public and private sector who support evidence-based best practices in the field.

• TAP staff have worked with the policy staff of then-U.S. Senator Barak Obama and continue to work with policy staff from U.S. Senator Richard Durbin’s office to draft federal legislation translating the network concepts developed and refined in Illinois to the national stage.
• As a result of this effort, The Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (S 819) and a companion bill  in the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 2413) are receiving broad support and, when adopted will change the face of autism services for children and adults across the country.
• TAP’s work, as a primary sponsor of the the National Town Hall Meeting, Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism, in November 2009 and the 2010 Autism Congress will summarize the recommendations of 1,000 voices from across the country to support lifespan services for adults with ASDs. TAP’s focus is to create a cohesive policy agenda to support these necessary services as the growing number of children diagnosed with ASD transition to adulthood.