Governor Creates Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder

For Immediate Release: November 19, 2008
GOVERNOR CREATES COMMISSION ON AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
(Carson City, NV) – Governor Jim Gibbons today signed an executive order creatingthe Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder and charged it with continuing the work ofthe Nevada Autism Task Force, which dissolved by statute earlier this year.
The Nevada Autism Task Force was created by the Nevada Legislature in 2007through Assembly Bill 629 and presented a report to the Governor on July 31, 2008 thatmade 146 recommendations on how to improve autism services and screening in Nevada.“The incredible growth in the number of children born with Autism is striking,” theGovernor said. “The Nevada Autism Task Force, and all those who partnered with it, did atremendous job illuminating the amount of work that needs to be done to address Autismin Nevada. My hope is that the Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder will continue thework of the task force and be a strong voice advocating for the recommendations made inthe report.”
The Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder will consist of three membersappointed by the Governor. It is required to update the Governor on its actions on or beforeJune 30 and Dec. 31 of each year. The three members of the commission have not yet beenappointed.
The incidence of Autism has increased greatly in recent years, and it’s now estimatedthat 1 in 150 newborn babies will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Studieshave shown that 47 percent of children receiving intensive early intervention go on to leadindependent lives, while 90 percent of children who do not receive intervention need alifetime of care.
The full report of the Nevada Autism Task Force can be found online through theNevada Department of Health and Human Services at: http://dhhs.nv.gov.
Executive Order by the Governor Establishing the Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder
(http://gov.state.nv.us/EO/2008/EO-2008-11-19_Autism.pdf)