Autism Society of America - Ohio Chapter

Basic Information

Address: 1335 Dublin Rd., Suite 205-C Columbus, OH 43215

Phone Number: (614) 487-4726

Fax Number: (614) 487-4725

Email: askASO@autismohio.org

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Additional Information

Executive Director: Barbara Yavorcik

President: Denise Sawan Caruso

Service Description: Information, Referral, Support, Advocacy

Mission Statement:

The mission of ASA-ASO is to provide a unified voice on a statewide
and national level for individuals in Ohio with ASD, their families
and service providers through information dissemination, advocacy,
support of local organizations, and the influence of public policy to
empower persons with ASD to reach their maximum potential and
inclusion in the community.

Membership Fee: $30 Individual, $40 Family - Includes National, State and Local Chapters

Eligibility Requirements: None

Area Served: State of Ohio

Hours of Operation/Schedule: 8am-4pm weekdays, after hours voicemail and email

Services Offered:
Information, Referral, Support, Advocacy, Awareness

Events:

Vary - check website at www.autismohio.org

Conferences/Speakers: Vary - check website at www.autismohio.org

Fundraisers: Ohio Autism Awareness License plate - visit www.autismohio.org or www.oplates.com for more information.

Support Groups: The eight local chapters of the ASA in Ohio offer a variety of support groups for individuals on the spectrum, families, etc. Visit the ASA-ASO website at www.autismohio.org for links to the Ohio ASA chapters

History:

The Autism Society of Ohio was established in 1990 to provide a voice for individuals with autism at the state level. The ASA-ASO been a part of every major autism initiative in Ohio including the Autism Leadership Workgroup, the Ohio Autism Taskforce, the ODMRDD Futures Committee, the Policy Leadership Roundtable and the Autism Services Guidelines Taskforce. The ASA-ASO held the only statewide conference on autism in Ohio for many years and has recently worked with the Ohio Center Autism and Low Incidence on a statewide autism conference.

Detailed Organization Information:

The ASA-Autism Society of Ohio is a state chapter of the Autism Society of America.

The Autism Society of America (ASA) is a national organization dedicated to the service of people with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Founded in 1965 by a group of concerned parents and professionals, the Society has expanded to include chapters in all 50 states. The Autism Society of America (ASA) offers these and other services to the autism community:
·        Information and referral
·        Quarterly magazine called the Advocate
·        National conference on autism (held in July)
·        ASA Foundation – dedicated to stimulating and supporting autism research

The Autism Society of America-Autism Society of Ohio (ASA-ASO) offers support, information, and linkage to local chapters. ASA-ASO formed, facilitates and chairs the Ohio Autism Coalition, a coalition of all of the ASA Chapters and independent autism groups in Ohio. The main purpose of the Coalition is to combine the resources of the various autism groups to develop and implement core statewide public policy addressing autism awareness and advocacy – to essentially speak with a “unified” voice at the state level. Additionally, ASA-ASO advocates for and represents the interests of persons with autism and their families by serving on a variety of state level committees, taskforces and advisory boards. The ASA-ASO works with the various State Departments to improve services. ASA-ASO also acts as a liaison between the ASA and the local chapters. ASA-ASO provides a information packed web site, weekly electronic e-newsletter, sponsors trainings, partners with the Ohio Center for Autism and Low incidence on products and services for the autism community, and raises autism awareness and funds through the Ohio Autism Awareness License Plate. ASA-ASO provides information and referrals, supports local independent autism groups, has organized a grass roots legislative Autism Advocacy Network and “get out the vote” efforts.

The mission of ASA-ASO is to provide a unified voice on a statewide and national level for individuals in Ohio with ASD, their families and service providers through information dissemination, advocacy, support of local organizations, and the influence of public policy to empower persons with ASD to reach their maximum potential and inclusion in the community.

What Distinguishes the ASA-ASO from other Autism Organizations in Ohio

While there are a variety of autism organizations in the state, ASA-ASO is the only advocacy organization that has a statewide focus related to autism spectrum disorder. Local chapters and independent autism groups provide information to the community locally – ASA-ASO provides information to those areas of the state that have no local groups and acts as a referral agent to the local chapters and other groups.

ASA-ASO sees as part of its mission to provide information to those local groups on developments at the state and national level and solicit their “grass roots” support for statewide initiatives related to autism.

ASA-ASO is well respected in Ohio. Additionally, ASA-ASO distinguishes itself from other autism organizations by working to be a unified voice for autism at the state level through the Ohio Autism Coalition and other efforts.

ASA-ASO is seen as an unbiased, non-partisan organization integral to the success of any statewide committee, taskforce or initiative related to autism.

Because ASA-ASO is seen as a collaborative organization with a statewide focus, we provide opportunities for the local ASA chapters to network with each other, other independent autism groups and state entities working on autism issues.

Local Chapters of the ASA

There are also eight (8) local chapters of the ASA in Ohio that serve the needs of individuals with autism and their families in specific areas:

· Central Ohio

· Dayton Area

· Greater Akron

· Greater Cleveland

· Greater Cincinnati

· Northwest Ohio

· Southeast Ohio

· Tri-County – Youngstown

Services Local Chapters of the ASA provide:

· Information and Referral

· Advocacy

· Newsletters

· Seminars

· Support Groups

· Autism Awareness Events

· Web pages

· Family Events

· Local Collaborations

· Fundraising

For more information about the Autism Society of America, visit www.autism-society.org.

For more information about the ASA-Autism Society of Ohio Chapter, visit www.autismohio.org

To find a local ASA chapter in your area, visit www.autismohio.org and click on “Local Chapters” on the left side of the home page or call the ASA-ASO at 614-487-4726.

The ASA-ASO works with various state agencies to represent the interests of and develop resources for individuals with autism and their families throughout Ohio.

Slogan: The Voice for Autism In Ohio