survey (U.S.)

[Guest guest]

from another list:

---------- Forwarded message ----------

This past summer the Asperger Foundation International in New York

published a study comparing the services of the 50 states (and DC) for

autism-spectrum adults.

<http://www.aspfi.org/documents/AspFI_Study_on_State_Policies.pdf>

Services Throughout the U.S. for Adults on the Autism Spectrum is only 14

pages long, with easy-to-read tables.

The AspFI is preparing a follow-up study, and needs volunteers -- the adults

and/or family members -- to answer an online

<http://www.aspfi.org/survey_1205.htm> questionnaire about their

experiences with state (or DC) services. Or you can telephone Cavanagh

of the Asperger Foundation International at tel. . Your

participation will be held in strict confidence.

Participants Needed for Policy Research Study on Adult Services for " Higher

Functioning " Adults on the Autism Spectrum

============================================================

Asperger Foundation International is conducting a study about where in the

U.S. adults in the average-to-above-average IQ range with each of the

diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum - classic Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and

Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified - are eligible for

services. AspFI wishes to interview affected adults and/or their family

members who have applied for services from their state's developmental

disability, mental health, and/or vocational rehabilitation agencies.

Because each of the 50 states (and DC) has a great deal of latitude in

determining which conditions qualify for services, we want to speak with

people from a broad range of states. For the first part of this study,

AspFI interviewed administrators at the potentially relevant agencies in

each state (in most cases, a Developmental Disabilities division, a Mental

Health division, and a Vocational Rehabilitation division) as well as

searched the agencies' own public documents on their policies. The

findings run the gamut from states that do not recognize anyone with an IQ

over 70 as having a developmental disability - despite the impact social

and organization skills challenges can have on self-sufficiency for the

so-called " higher functioning " individuals on the Spectrum - and do not

consider Autism Spectrum disorders to be mental illnesses either, to

states with comparatively broader views of these classifications. Our

report on the results of that research is available at our website -

www.aspfi.org. Now, we want to hear directly from people who have gone

through or assisted in the actual application process.

If you would be interested in participating in this study by completing a

20-30 minute survey, please visit our website at www.aspfi.org to fill out

the questionnaire online or contact Cavanagh at . Please

feel free to pass this information along to anyone else who you think

might be interested.

Participants' confidentiality is of utmost importance to AspFI. No

personally identifying information will be used with any data that is made

public.

Cavanagh

Program Associate

Asperger Foundation International

501 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Phone:

Fax:

<http://www.aspfi.org/> http://www.aspfi.org/