About the Bureau of Autism Services

In recent years, the number of individuals in Pennsylvania diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has risen. A 2007 study (PDF download) from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that one in 150 children have some form of autism. State and local agencies responsible for providing care to this population, especially the Special Education system and the Mental Health/Mental Retardation system, struggled to meet their needs, but lacked appropriate resources, planning and vision.

In response to these challenges, Estelle B. Richman, then the newly appointed Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare, created the Autism Task Force in 2003. This Task Force, which is comprised of over 250 family members of people living with autism, service providers, educators, administrators and researchers, was charged with developing a plan for a new system for individuals living with autism and their families that would make Pennsylvania a national model of excellence in autism service delivery.

One of the most important strategic goals of Pennsylvania’s Autism Task Force, which published its final report in 2004, was to create a program office within the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to focus on the challenges face by individuals with developmental disabilities. The creation of the Office of Autism Affairs, which was transformed into the Bureau of Autism Services in early 2007 within the Office of Developmental Programs has helped the Department of Public Welfare take great strides towards this goal.

The objectives of the Bureau of Autism Services for 2006 – 2007 will address the need to establish statewide diagnostic, assessment, training and intervention standards, and to begin the process of training individuals at every level in the system to meet the lifetime needs of Pennsylvanians living with autism.

If you wish to contact the Bureau of Autism Services, call 1-866-539-7689 or use this interactive online contact form.

If you wish to have a representative from the Bureau of Autism Services speak or have our materials for your conference, meeting, or other event, please click on the request form below. Email the completed form to DPW-AutismOffice@state.pa.us or mail to the Bureau of Autism Services, PO Box 2675, 501 Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-2675.
Speaker/Material Request Form