Mission

The mission of the task force is to advocate for federal public policies that directly relate to individuals with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, family supports and the prevention of child abuse and neglect. These include, but are not limited to, the Developmental Disabilities Act, Autism CARES Act, Lifespan Respite Care Act, National Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

Co-chairs

• AJ Link
  Autistic Self Advocacy Network
  202-509-1035 phone

• Kim Musheno
  Autism Society of America
  301-657-0881 phone

• Erin Prangley 
  National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)
  1825 K Street, NW Suite 600
  Washington, DC 20006
  Phone: 202-506-5813

• Stuart Spielman
  Autism Speaks
  202-955-3312 phone

• Cindy Smith 
  Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

Autism, Developmental Disabilities and Family Support Anti-Racism Principles and Objectives
(February 4,  2021) - Download [ PDF ]

Updates on Priority Legislation  

ACTIVITIES

Developmental Disabilities, Autism and Family Support Task Force Letter to House and Senate leaders urging them to pass a bill to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act We commend you for introducing and advancing bipartisan bills to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act in the House and Senate (H.R. 7213 and S. 4762). These bills represent significant progress, addressing many of the critical recommendations provided by the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) DD, Autism, and Family Support Task Force in September 2023 (August 30,  2024) - Download [ PDF ] Developmental Disabilities, Autism and Family Support Task Force CCD CARES Leadership Letter The undersigned Members of the CCD Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and Family Support Task Force write in strong support of the Autism CARES Act of 2024 (H.R. 7213), led by Representative Chris Smith and Representative Henry Cuellar urge you to support its swift passage in the House of Representatives under suspension of the rules. This bill builds on years of progress that has been made through previous versions of the Autism CARES Act and will help move forward critical research and training programs that will benefit the estimated 1 in 36 autistic children and 1 in 45 autistic adults in the United States. (July 16,  2024) - Download [ PDF ] Developmental Disabilities, Autism and Family Support Task Force Thank you letter to the House Appropriations Committee re removal of ESD provision We, the undersigned members of the Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and Family Support Task Force and fellow members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), are writing to you today to thank you for removing section 722 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill. This provision would have prohibited the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from banning devices or their use to the extent that they are authorized or ordered by a court and thus circumvent decades of advocacy against the use of contingent electric shock on people with disabilities. (July 16,  2024) - Download [ PDF ] Developmental Disabilities, Autism and Family Support Task Force CCD Letter to House urging support for the reauthorization of the Autism CARES Act The undersigned Members of the CCD Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and Family Support Task Force write in strong support of the Autism CARES Act of 2024 (H.R. 7213) and urge you to cosponsor and support its swift passage in the House of Representatives. This bill builds on years of progress that has been made because of the previous versions of the Autism CARES Act and will help move forward critical research and training programs that will benefit the estimated 1 in 36 autistic children and 1 in 45 autistic adults in the United States. (May 30,  2024) - Download [ PDF ] Developmental Disabilities, Autism and Family Support Task Force Annual Report - Developmental Disabilities, Autism and Family Support Task Force (January 10,  2024) - Download [ PDF ]