The History of the Comprehensive Plan

The first such document was completed in 1982 and updated in 1987. Unfortunately, limited results were reached and there are no records of any documents later than the 1987 version. With the absence of a current, effective comprehensive plan, the Indiana Commission on Autism, during the 2005 interim, directed the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to serve as the lead agency to oversee the creation of a new document.

FSSA contracted with the Indiana Autism Coalition, Inc., to plan and execute a statewide survey of families living with autism spectrum disorder, and providers serving those families. Then, they were to use that information gathered during this process to develop an updated plan. A Collaborative team of individuals from the Indiana Autism Coalition and the Autism Society of Indiana was established.

The Team held stakeholder meetings at eleven locations around Indiana, in urban, suburban, and rural areas, to gather information via survey instruments developed specifically for this purpose. Additionally, they interviewed family members, educators, service providers, and local and state agencieswho serve families and individuals with autism, and researched agencies and consumer organizations in a number of other states to determine best practices in use across the U.S.
 
The results of those meetings, surveys, interviews, and research were compiled and aligned with the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Roadmap, which was written by a group established by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, created through The Children's Health Act of 2000.

Please know, this document is always being updated, so check back frequently for updates.

2011 Annual Report