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SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that the Superintendent's Autism Advisory Committee he convened earlier this year has submitted its recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor. The Committee was charged with advising how public and nonpublic schools can better serve students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families.

"This work is one important step in our statewide effort to narrow the achievement gap between students with special needs and their peers," said O'Connell. "The committee's thoughtful recommendations are aimed at improving services, raising awareness, and better assisting schools in coping with the rapidly growing incidence of students with autism spectrum disorders. They will guide my work with the Legislature, Governor, and my staff in the coming year as we seek ways of providing schools with evidenced-based information, best practices, and professional development to help these students succeed academically."

ASD is a developmental disorder characterized by mild to severe deficits in social interaction and communication, a limited range of activities and interests, and repetitive behaviors. Autism is the fastest-growing special education eligibility category for public education in California and the nation. Between 1998 and 2002, the number of pupils with ASD receiving services in California nearly doubled, from 10,360 to 20,377. These numbers continue to climb. In 2004, there were 4,427 additional pupils diagnosed with autism, an increase of 18 percent. The California Department of Developmental Services data for California show for the quarter ending in June 2006, 3,717 three- and four-year olds were diagnosed with ASD. This growth is prompting the need for educational services to support these students. The Governor signed Assembly Bill 2513 sponsored by former Assemblymember Fran Pavley in 2006 that authorized  O'Connell to convene the 20-member Superintendent's Autism Advisory Committee.

The Committee made the following recommendations in three areas regarding policy, sharing information, and providing assistance to schools:

1.  Changes are called for to ensure a seamless delivery of services and early intervention for students with ASD and their families. Also, changes are called for in the dissemination, training, credentials, and certification of people working with students with ASD.
2. Develop a statewide, education-focused interagency clearinghouse to provide information on ASD-related, evidence-based interventions, strategies, and other resources.
3. Provide technical assistance and training to people at schools to implement and disseminate evidence-based ASD information and strategies.

          For information about the committee and a copy of the recommendations, please visit Superintendent's Autism Advisory Committee (SAAC) - Administration & Support.