The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is deeply concerned over the recent announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the creation of a federal autism registry. While we strongly support rigorous, ethical, and science-based research to better understand autism, the methods proposed in this initiative…
This week, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a series of public comments about autism that were scientifically unfounded, deeply stigmatizing, and harmful to everyone in our autism community. The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) unequivocally rejects Secretary Kennedy’s characterization of autism as a…
AuSM-backed legislative wins in 2024 include a bill introducing educators to ableism training, legislation establishing a journey-mapping study on the accessibility of obtaining disability services, and further reform to medical assistance for employed people with disabilities. Here is a summary of legislative progress for Minnesota’s autism community – as well…
Four Minnesota Nonprofits Further Commit to Promoting Safety for Autistic Kids and Support for Families: Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM); Multicultural Autism Action Network (MAAN); Maangaar Global; and Somali Parents Autism Network (SPAN) Media contacts: AuSM: mmalmberg@ausm.org, 651.337.8732 MAAN: maren.christenseson@gmail.com, 612.470.7003 Maangaar: a.musa@maangaarglobal.org, 469.995.4424…
On the heels of some of the bigger headlines coming out of Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session are several lesser-reported yet historic gains for the autism community, including the elimination of parental fees for TEFRA and waiver services, education funding to reduce the special education cross-subsidy, and provisions to decrease exclusionary…