It is up to all of us to ensure that the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor hear our collective voices.  Call, email or write a personal letter to your state Representative and Senator, and Governor Deval Patrick.

Talking Points for Visiting or Writing Your Representative and Senator, and Governor Patrick:

• State that you are a constituent who is the parent of a child on the autism spectrum and would like to talk to with your Senator, Representative, or their aide about the needs of children with autism.
• Start by briefly describing your child - it is important for your legislator to understand ASD
• Tell them your child's age and diagnosis.
• Briefly explain your child's needs (language, social, behavioral, safety, academic and his/her strengths).
• Briefly describe what it is like to have a child with ASD and the impact on your family.
• Give an example of how particular family support services really helped your child (i.e. information or training about autism, information about an appropriate educational placement, or direct family support such as in home problem solving or cash assistance that led to improvement).
• Summarize any difficulties you've had obtaining necessary services for your child.

Ask your legislator to restore the cuts to programs that assist children and adults with ASD:

• Stress the growing numbers of children with ASD who are in need of services
• Funding DMR Family Supports 5911-2000
• Funding for Division of Autism (Including Autism Centers and  Autism Medicaid Waiver) 5920-3010
• Funding DOE (DESE)/DMR (DDS) Collaboration 5948-0012 (also 7010-0041)
• An Act Relative to Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver/Intensive In-Home Services for Children with ASD (H. 493, S. 281)
  

Consider bringing or mailing a picture of your loved one affected by ASD.

IMPORTANT WEBSITES FOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY:

Arc of Massachusetts
A direct link to a letter to email your legislators:  http://capwiz.com/thearc/issues/alert/?alertid=12710406&type=ST&show_ale
Updates about legislative information and alerts:  http://www.arcmass.org/

Massachusetts Government
Families can easily look up their senator/representatives contact information:  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

AFAM (Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts)
Legislative information specific to Autism:  http://www.afamaction.org/

Advocate for the Autism Community

Community Resources for People with Autism believes in educating and empowering families to advocate for themselves as well as the autism community as a whole.  It is our hope that families increase their understanding of their rights under the laws, develop advocacy skills, and keep informed of the most current government issues that will impact them directly.

Community Resources for People with Autism is one of the founding organizations of the grassroots program, AFAM.  This advocacy group addresses the need for full-time representation of our families in western Massachusetts on Beacon Hill.

www.afamaction.org

Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) was formed to address the need for full-time representation to give families a voice on Beacon Hill.

AFAM's Mission
Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts will strive to assure the human and civil rights of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and the availability of essential supports so that they may live life fully and enjoy the same opportunities as others throughout the Commonwealth. AFAM will educate and advocate vigorously within the Massachusetts community and its governmental entities to enhance the lives of people with ASD and their families.

How You Can Help
As concerned individuals, we ask you to join us. By giving a voice to your concerns, your membership fee will help provide an ongoing presence on Beacon Hill.  Additionally, as an AFAM member, you will receive periodic legislative alerts to keep you informed of critical issues impacting our families and how you can take action with your legislators.  Become involved!  To learn more about Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, please visit  www.afamaction.org or call (781) 891-6270; to download a membership form, click here.

AFAM
217 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453
781-891-6270, ext. 102