Southern Legislative Conference--Serving the South

About the Southern Legislative Conference: In the Words of Our Leadership
Speaker Robert W. Harrell, South Carolina; Chair, Southern Legislative Conference/CSG-South	Senator Mark Norris, Tennessee; Chair Elect, Southern Legislative Conference/CSG-South	Senator Jeff Wentworth, Texas; Immediate Past Chair, Southern Legislative Conference/CSG-South

REGIONAL RESOURCE: AUTISM AND SCHOOLS
According to recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 100 children is affected by an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The disorder has had an overall growth rate of 1,148 percent in the past decade in some parts of the country, presenting overwhelming challenges to schools, healthcare, and social services agencies charged with providing care and support to individuals with autism and their families. In addition to providing background on ASD and insight into recent research findings on effective therapies, this Regional Resource delivers an overview of activity across the region on a number of key policy areas, including insurance mandates for autism coverage and statewide autism commissions. Furthermore, this report addresses the fiscal costs of serving children with ASD. Finally, Autism and Schools offers a perspective on recent efforts to establish a national network for autism and steps that have been taken in Southern states to support individuals with ASD and their families to realize their full potential.

Southern Legislative Conference Leadership
Chair Speaker Robert W. Harrell, Jr., South Carolina
Chair Elect Senator Mark Norris, Majority Leader, Tennessee	Vice Chair Speaker Richard Thompson, West Virginia
Immediate Past Chair Senator Jeff Wentworth, Texas



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