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Autism Commission
Board Information
Policy Area
Health and Human ServicesPurpose
The commission shall make recommendations on policies impacting individuals with autistic spectrum disorders, which shall include, but not be limited to, asperger's syndrome, high functioning autism, smith-magenis syndrome and pervasive development disorder. The commission shall investigate the range of services and supports necessary for such individuals to achieve their full potential across their lifespan, including, but not limited to, investigating issues related to public education, higher education, job attainment and employment, including supported employment, provision of adult human services, post-secondary education, independent living, community participation, housing, social and recreational opportunities, behavioral services based on best practices to ensure emotional well-being, mental health services and issues related to access for families of children with autism spectrum disorder and adults who are from linguistically and culturally diverse communities.Meeting Information
The commission shall meet at least quarterly, or as frequently as the executive director recommends.Legal Authority
Board Members
↓↓ Sort members table by selecting table header for Member, Seat Name, Appointing Authority, or Term End Date.
| Member↓↓ | Seat Name | Appointing Authority | Term End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosalina Acosta | Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Laurie R. Anastopoulos LCSW | Representative of the Arc of Massachusetts | Governor | June 23, 2023 |
| Representative Christine Barber | Member of the House of Representatives 1 | House of Representatives | - |
| Janet Barbieri | Representative of the Asperger's Association of New England | Governor | November 16, 2022 |
| Janelle Chen | Undersecretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Elizabeth Chen | Secretary of Office of Elder Affairs, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Brooke Doyle | Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Senator Ryan Fattman | Member of the Senate 2 | Legislature | - |
| Joanne Flatley | At-Large - Seat 5 | Governor | April 2, 2027 |
| Rita Gardner | At-large - Seat 1 | Governor | April 6, 2027 |
| Rita Gardner | At-Large - Seat 5 | Governor | April 2, 2027 |
| Todd Garvin | Member with Autism Spectrum Disorder | Governor | January 8, 2020 |
| Ms. Janet George | Representative with Clinical Knowledge of Smith-Magenis Syndrome | Ex Officio | - |
| Robert H. Goldstein | Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| James Vander Hooven | Representative from the Community College System | Ex Officio | - |
| Zachary Houston | At-large - Seat 2 | Governor | April 2, 2027 |
| Christine Hubbard | Representative of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts | Governor | November 2, 2022 |
| Carolyn Kain | Director of the Division of Autism | Ex Officio | - |
| Amy Kershaw | Commissioner of Early Education and Care, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Julia Landau | Representative of Massachusetts Advocates for Children | Governor | December 2, 2018 |
| Michael Levine | Director of the Office of Medicaid, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Senator Joan Lovely | Member of the Senate 1 | Senate President | - |
| Felix Nicolas Martinez | At-Large - Seat 6 | Governor | April 13, 2023 |
| Representative Joseph McKenna | Member of the House of Representatives 2 | Legislature | - |
| Dr. Ann Neumeyer | Representative of the Lurie Center | Governor | November 3, 2023 |
| Jeffrey C. Riley | Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Jane F. Ryder | Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services | Ex Officio | - |
| Carlos Santiago | Commissioner of Higher Education, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Dr. Jessica Sassi | At-Large - Seat 4 | Governor | April 6, 2027 |
| Jo Ann Simons | At-Large - Seat 3 | Governor | April 14, 2023 |
| Linda Spears | Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Patrick Tutwiler | Secretary of Education, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Judith Ursitti | Representative of Autism Speaks, Inc. | Governor | September 3, 2019 |
| Kate Walsh | Secretary of Health and Human Services, or desginee | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Amy Weinstock | Representative of the Autism Insurance Resource Center | Governor | November 16, 2022 |
| Toni Wolf | Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, or designee | Ex Officio | - |