AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA

The Autism Society, the nations leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1965 by Dr. Bernard Rimland, Dr. Ruth Sullivan and many other parents of children with autism, the Autism Society is the leading source of trusted and reliable information about autism. Through its strong chapter network, the Autism Society has spearheaded numerous pieces of state and local legislation, including the 2006 Combating Autism Act, the first federal autism-specific law. The Autism Society's website is one of the most visited websites on autism in the world and its quarterly journal, Autism Advocate, has a broad national readership. The Autism Society also hosts the most comprehensive national conference on autism, attended by 2000 people each year. Our information and referral team, our program staff, and our strong chapter presence serve thousands of families each year who are searching for help in their journey with autism. The Autism Society's national office is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. The Autism Society is a member and chapter organization whos national Board of Directors is composed of democratically elected members and appointed members. We are proud to be one of the few organizations to have members with autism serving as active board directors. The Autism Society's Panel of Professional Advisors sets the standards for our Options Policy that governs our practices, and we are proud to count the top professional experts in autism on our PPA. The Autism Society's Panel of People on the Spectrum of Autism Advisors is a first-of-its-kind advisory panel comprised solely of individuals with autism, who help Autism Society staff create programs and services that will advocate for the rights of all people with autism to live fulfilling, interdependent lives. Each year, people with autism, families and professionals volunteer thousands of hours to help the Autism Society achieve its mission of serving all those affected by autism. To each and every one of you, thank you.

Mission and Vision History Options Policy Strategic Plan Priorities of Professional Conduct

The Autism Society's efforts are focused on meaningful participation and self-determination in all aspects of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. The Autism Society promotes individual, parental and guardian choice to assure that people on the autism spectrum are treated with dignity and respect. The Autism Society proactively informs, influences, guides and develops public policy at the federal, state and local levels, including setting agendas for policymakers and legislators, for the benefit of the autism community. The Autism Society is the respected voice of the autism community and the primary source for information by providing timely, frequent, relevant and professional communication. The Autism Society works to ensure that every chapter is a successful chapter, sustained by a collaborative relationship between the national office and chapters to realize mutual benefit and to protect the interests of both. The Autism Society advocates for multi-disciplined approaches to autism research focused on improving the quality of life for individuals across the autism spectrum and their families. The Autism Society works to ensure financial self-sufficiency and growth for all Autism Society operating units and integrated operations across all levels of the Autism Society.

At the very core of the parent choice philosophy is the belief that no single program or treatment will benefit all individuals with autism. Furthermore, the recommendation of what is "best" or "most effective" for a person with autism should be determined by those people directly involved - the individual with autism, to the extent possible, and the parents or family members. Providing information and education to help in decision-making are more highly regarded at the Autism Society than is advocating for one particular theory or philosophy. The growing membership base of the Autism Society encompasses a broad, diverse group of parents, family members, special education teachers, administrators, medical doctors, therapists, nurses and aides, as well as countless other personnel involved in the education, care, treatment and support of individuals with autism. Recognizing and respecting the diverse range of opinions, needs and desires of this group, the Autism Society embraces an overall philosophy that chooses to empower individuals with autism and their parents or caregivers to make choices best suited to the needs of the person with autism.

Lee Grossman, President & CEO Barbara Newhouse, Chief Operating Officer Kent Barnheiser Vice President, Chapter Relations *Heather Bohannon Director of Events

*Hannah Cary Intern

Julia Cashmere Contact Center Coordinator

*Marguerite Kirst Colston Vice President, Constituent Relations

Meg Ellacott ASA Exposition Director

Donna Ferullo Director of Program Research

Paula Fischer Chapter Relations Specialist

Robin Gurley Associate Director, Content

Martha Herbert Director of TGRI

*Betsey Hudis Information and Referral Assistant

Rose Jochum Contact Center Specialist

Gordon Lavigne Vice President, Business Development

Selena Middleton Web Specialist

Sarah Mitchell Conference Manager

Ann Pulley Director of Finance

Jennifer Repella Director of Programs

*Jeff Sell Vice President, Advocacy and Public Policy

Sandra Smith Administrative Assistant

Brenda Smith-Myles Chief Programs Officer

Marie Taft Administrative Assistant *Carin Yavorcik Media Specialist

Pei-Ju Ting Technical Assistant

* indicates a parent or other family member of an individual with autism

Each year, the Autism Society of America presents a number of awards and scholarships to individuals and organizations in recognition of their commitment to the autism community. Awards and scholarship winners are announced each year at ASA's National Conference and Exposition on Autism Spectrum Disorders. ASA Award and Scholarship Eligibility Guidelines 1. Eligibility:

Only ASA members in good standing may submit nominations. It is also recommended that nominees be ASA members. All nominations (except where noted) must pertain to accomplishments occurring during calendar year 2008. No current member of the ASA Board of Directors or the Panel of Professional Advisors, PSA (or program with which one of the ASA Board, PSA or PPA members is associated) is eligible. Individuals, organizations or products that have won an ASA award are not eligible in the category in which they have previously won. The ASA will only administer one award to an individual or group within a given calendar year. With the exception of the CVS/All Kids Can Scholars Program, you cannot nominate yourself for an ASA Award. Voting members of the ASA Awards Committee are prohibited from making a nomination. Guidelines apply to all ASA Awards and the CVS/All Kids Can Scholars Program.

2. Each nomination must include at least five copies (REQUIRED) of the following materials. ALL ITEMS REQUESTED ARE REQUIRED:

A cover page with the name of the nominee, address, day phone number, e-mail address, and the award for which they are being nominated; and the name, address, day phone number, and email address of the ASA member making the nomination. An essay (500 words maximum) by the ASA member making the nomination, stating a) why the nominee deserves this award and b) the nominees significant contribution to autism. Nominations in the Media Excellence, Outstanding Literary, and Outstanding Musical Contribution categories must include five copies of the work being nominated (e.g., the book, poem, video, compact disk or DVD). Any nomination, including those to the ASA National Awards and the CVS/All Kids Can Scholars Program, submitted with fewer than five complete copies will be disqualified. All award submissions, including all materials (books, videos, etc.), will not be returned.

3. Please clearly label on each item submitted the name of the person being nominated and the award category. 4. The ASA Awards Committee evaluates all nominations and selects winners that are appropriate for each category. A winner is not necessarily chosen from all categories. All winners will be notified no later than April 30, 2009, and will be recognized at the Autism Society of Americas 40th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa in St. Charles, Illinois on July 22nd thru the 25th. Winners of ASA Awards will receive a one-day complimentary registration for the day of the award presentation. Specify your award category and mail to: Autism Society of America 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814 Attention: 2009 ASA Awards All materials must be postmarked by March 31, 2009, and received no later than April 2, 2009. ASA will not be responsible for late, damaged, misdirected or misaddressed mail. 2009 ASA Award Categories ASA Volunteer of the Year An award presented to a chapter member whose work has positively

influenced the lives of individuals, parents, and professionals coping with autism in his or her community. Media Excellence Award Video, Print or News Any item released, published, or copyrighted within the last five years (January 1, 2004 & later) that has made a significant contribution to the autism community is eligible. Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Family/Social Division (book, poem, essay, etc.) Any item published or copyrighted within the last five years January 1, 2004 & later is eligible. Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Educational Division (book, poem, essay, etc.) Any item published or copyrighted within the last five years January 1, 2004 & later is eligible. Autism Professional of the Year Professionals who have made a significant contribution in the autism field (educator, speech language therapist, social worker, occupational therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist medical doctor, or researcher). This list is not exhaustive; nominations for all types of professionals are welcome. Outstanding Individual With Autism of the Year An individual with autism who has excelled in one or more areas of life experiences or contributions. Demonstration of exceptional dedication, effort or achievement. Areas to be considered can include, but should not necessarily be limited to: academics, the arts, athletics, community service, employment, extracurricular activities, transitions or independent living skills. ASA Audrey I. Horne Memorial Award Given to an individual or organization that has made an enduring contribution to improving adult services and the quality of life for those individuals living on the autism spectrum. CVS/All Kids Can Scholars Program The CVS/All Kids Can Scholars Program, administered by the Autism Society of America, provides a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to a qualified individual with autism to be applied toward the completion of an accredited, postsecondary educational or vocational program of study (e.g., college, trade school, etc.). Eligibility: The scholarship is available to an individual with autism who has successfully met all the requirements for admission into an accredited post-secondary program of study.

See ASAs Award and Scholarship Eligibility Guidelines for details on nominator and nominee eligibility and the awards selection process. Guidelines: Applicants must provide five copies of the following to be considered by the ASA Awards Committee:

A cover page with the name of the nominee, address, day phone number, e-mail address, and the award for which they are being nominated; and the name, address, day phone number, and email address of the ASA member making the nomination. Self-nominations are accepted for this award only. Documentation of status as an individual with autism Secondary school transcripts Documentation of acceptance into an accredited, postsecondary educational or vocational program of study Two letters of recommendation Personal statements of no more than 500 words, outlining the applicants qualifications, social security number and proposed plan of study. These should be completed by both the nominee and the nominator. If the individual is self-nominating, only one statement is required.

Mail to: Attn: CVS /All Kids Can, Autism Society of America, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814