ASM Staff

• Anne Carpenter, Librarian


• Jean Nucich, Administrative Assistant


• Kira Rockman, Information & Referral

• Kathy Johnson, President (Oakland County - 2009)


• Penny Bearden, Vice President (Gratiot County - 2009)


• Lori Swan, Treasurer (Ingham County - 2009)


• Jane E. White, Secretary (Sanilac County - 2009)


• Colleen Allen (Wayne County - 2010)


• Patricia Kopetz (Isabella County - 2010)


• Sandra McClennen (Wayne County - 2009)


• Marilyn Mitchell (Livingston County - 2010)


• Randy Nunez (Oakland County - 2009)


• Robert Steinkamp (Ingham County - 2010)


• Kenneth Veenstra (Oakland County - 2010)


Why do we exist?


• ASM exists because persons with autism spectrum disorder have unique capacities and gifts and we are fortunate to have them in our lives. We believe persons with autism spectrum disorders contribute in unique ways to their families and communities.


• We exist because as long as there is fear and despair around there are unethical persons/professionals who hope to profit from their families.


• ASM believes that the best advocacy occurs with education and respect and the presumption of competence of all persons.


• We exist because Michigan needs our leadership in educating/employing persons with autism in their community for better outcomes!


What does ASM do?


• Serve a membership made up of parents, families, professionals, persons with autism spectrum disorders, advocates, organizations and other community members


• Provide advocacy to families


• Provide education consultation and technical assistance to schools


• Develop and present specialized trainings to educators and to other service providers on the following topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Behavior is Communication, Positive Behavioral Support, Anxiety and Sensory Issues, Paraprofessional Competencies and Person Centered Planning


• Attend Individualized Education Plan meetings with families


• Facilitate and write Person Centered Plans


• Observe students and write initial and progress reports for families and agencies


• Provide support, Information and Referral and education to families of newly diagnosed children with autism spectrum disorder


• Develop and host statewide conferences and regional "Focus" workshops


• Contract with statewide schools, Michigan Department of Education, Intermediate School Districts and Department of Community Health for services that promote ASM's mission statement


• Write, edit, and disseminate "Horizons", our quarterly newsletter for members


• Maintain a bookstore of current and relevant books, manuals, and videos


• Maintain a current library for members


• Assist local chapters of the Autism Society of America


• Collaborate with other statewide and local advocacy agencies


• Train an average of 2,000 family members and professionals per year


• Disseminate information packets on autism and related topics


• 800 phone line (Michigan only)


How do we do it?


• ASM statewide Fall and Spring Conferences


• ASM statewide Fall and Spring Focus Workshop Series


• Local United Way allocations and designations


• Contracts with local school districts and local Community Mental Health agencies


• ASM Golf Outing


• Membership Dues


• Contributions


• Bookstore revenue


The History of the Autism Society of Michigan

From MSAC to ASM: 1976 - 2003
• 1976
  Michigan Society for Autistic Children (MSAC) was formed.
  
  
• 1977
  State Board of Education approved guideline for appropriate of education of student with autism in Michigan.
  
  
• 1978
  MSAC initiated class action lawsuit to guarantee minimum educational standards for students with autism. State planning for Developmental Disabilities approved MSAC's request for grant funds.
  
  
• 1979
  MSAC hired executive director and established state office. First annual Spring Conference of MSAC "Autism: The Other Developmental Disability." Public hearings held on the proposed language for establishment of a separate category for the autistically impaired.
  
  
• 1980
  Dr. Bernard Rimland, founder of NSAC (National Society for Autistic Citizens), featured speaker at spring conference "Autism in the 80's." MSAC received its first grant from the Skillman Foundation. United Way of Michigan approved application of MSAC on a two-year grant status as a participating member of United Way of Michigan.
  
  
• 1981
  First camp program initiated at Camp Happy Hollow. MSAC, along with many of her sister organizations, actively involved in fighting the Reagan administration's attempts to weaken Public Law 94-142. MSAC entered into a consent decree with the State Department of Education which leads to passage of Autistic-Impaired Rules.
  
  
• 1982
  Following the tragic loss of Barbara Lipinski, the Barbara Lipinski Memorial Award Fund was established by the MSAC Board.
  
  
• 1983
  Autistic-Impaired rules approved by the Join Administrative Rules Committee and became law in August. Family Support Subsidy Act was passed. MSAC gains full membership in United Way of Michigan.
  
  
• 1984
  Dr. Lorna Wing featured speaker at MSAC's spring conference. Amendment to Family Support Subsidy Act approved, enabling families with autistic children in rural areas to be eligible for the subsidy. Tony Plewa elected to the board of NSAC. MSAC joins with the State as an intervening co-defendant in a suit brought by MEA.
  
  
• 1985
  MSAC member of coalition which receives Apple IIe computer grant. MSAC expands staff. MSAC lead agency for Project TRACE (Training and Resources in Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy). Andrew Maltz, Ph.D., appointed to the Professional Advisory Board of NSAC.
  
  
• 1986
  Services of Autism Consultant Specialists became available to schools and other agencies. MSAC Board approves relocating State office to Lansing.
  
  
• 1987
  New Special Education Rules take effect July 1.
  
  
• 1988
  MSAC receives Sage grant of $7,500. The grant enables MSAC to enlarge and improve its professional and film library.
  
  
• 1989
  On May 23rd, members of the MSAC joined with over two thousand people and marched to the Capitol with banners and signs to support increased funding for Michigan's Mental Health Programs.
  
  
• 1990
  Controversy confronts Michigan's schools. The controversy involves the use of a device referred to as SIBIS: the Self-injurious Behavior Inhibiting System.
  
  
• 1991
  MSAC opposes HB 4817; this bill would mandate that the Department of Mental Health maintain seven regional centers for persons with developmental disabilities. Closure would require legislative review.
  
  
• 1992
  In May, the membership voted to change the name of the Society to the Autism Society of Michigan.
  
  
• 1993
  ASM Mission Statement adopted by the ASM Board of Directors on February 21st.
  
  
• 1994
  ASM selected Sally Burton, Ed.D as the new Executive Director on May 1st.
  
  
• 1995
  Children's SSI program threatened; ASM members urged to call or write legislators.
  
  
• 1996
  State Board of Education adopts process for administrative rule waivers.
  
  
• 1997
  ASM in collaboration with the State Department of Education presented a symposium on Early Intervention on May 16th-17th with Dr. Robert Koegel and Dr. Lynn Koegel as the keynote speakers.
  
  
• 1998
  ASM, The ARC Michigan, Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council and United Cerebral Palsy/Michigan (UCP) held it's first annual Joint Conference on May 19th-20th.
  
  
• 1999
  ASM, the ARC, UCP and MPAS (Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service) were partners in a Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council training project grant on Person Centered Planning and Managed Care, which trained over 3,000 participants statewide.
  
  
• 2000
  The copyright and proceeds of the ABC's of Autism, written by Davi Kathiresan, were donated to ASM and are disseminated nationally through Lansing, Michigan.
  
  
• 2001
  Cycle USA and Rally for Autism Research; Senator Leon Stille proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month.
  
  
• 2002
  ASM trained over 7,000 families, teachers and other professionals through Focus Workshops, school trainings and conferences.
  
  
• 2003
  ASM played a leadership role in the new ASd definition; Sell out conference for Spring conference featuring Temple Grandin and her mom, Eustachia Cutler.