Autism Society of Ohio: Taskforce Recommendations

On June 26, 2003 Governor Taft signed into law House Bill 95, biennial budget legislation. Included within the budget bill were provisions providing for the creation of the Ohio Autism Taskforce (OAT). The bill required the OAT to investigate the increasing incidence of autism in Ohio and to determine what, if any, gaps exist in the delivery of services to individuals with autism in Ohio. The OAT was charged with presenting a set of recommendations based upon its findings to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate. The OAT consisted of twenty-two members, eighteen members appointed by the Governor and four members of the Ohio General Assembly. The Governor's appointments included an individual with autism, parents of individuals with autism, providers, educators, pediatricians, members of the Governor's cabinet and others interested in and connected to the issue of autism.