In the fall of 2008, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi founded the Nassau County Autism Coalition - a one of a kind group of advocates, organizations, parents, physicians, and government agencies all coming together to making positive change in the lives of children and adults with autism.  The Coalition is developing a policy blueprint for autism, which will be presented at a conference, “Roadmap for Autism: Recommendations for Federal, State, and Local Policy” at Adelphi University on September 29, 2009.  The conference will bring together nationally and internationally recognized experts who will focus on research, education, adult life issues, health care, and family support.

On April 20, 2009, County Executive Suozzi and the Nassau County Autism Coalition were joined by Darryl Strawberry at a ceremony declaring Autism Awareness Month in Nassau County. Darryl Strawberry was honored at the ceremony for his work with his foundation for children and adults with autism. Shelley Ourian, a Teacher’s Aide at the Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism Martin C. Burrell School, is also a young adult with autism who shared her personal experiences with the audience. The spectators also enjoyed a performance from the FREE Players. FREE or Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. is an organization that provides residences, day programs, health care, family support and numerous other services to Long Islanders with developmental disabilities. After the ceremony, everyone went in the hall way to light the dome of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building red, yellow, and blue in commemoration of Autism awareness month.

Sponsors for Sept. 29
Roadmap for Autism Conference

Host: Adelphi University

• Silver Sponsors •

Autism Speaks
Family Residences and Essential   Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) GerstmanSchwartz, LLP
Nassau County AHRC
UJA-Federation of New York
Zcom Wireless

• Bronze Sponsors •

All About Kids
Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning   Autism Association (AHA)
Association for Children with Down   Syndrome
Eden II/ Genesis Programs
The ELIJA School
Nassau Suffolk Autism Society of America
Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism   (NSSA)
Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C.
YAI/ National Institute for People with   Disabilities

• Registration form

• Sponsorship
   Opportunities

To view the Roadmap for Autism program,
click here.

 Viewing documents in PDF format requires the free Adobe Reader. If you have trouble opening PDF documents, click here