The Department of Mental Health’s Division of DD funds five regional autism projects that collectively provide services annually to approximately 2500 families statewide. Individuals are referred to their autism projects through their regional office.  The programs and services are designed to assist in skill development of individuals with ASD and provide needed training and support for families.

The first project was established in 1991 as a result of families in rural Missouri approaching legislators to ask for autism-specific family support.  They requested needed services so that their family members could remain at home and receive supports close to home. 

The five Missouri Autism Projects are overseen by the Missouri Advisory Committee on Autism and by Regional Parent Advisory Councils.

Missouri Autism Projects:         5 Regions

The Autism Projects serves individuals with ASD in:

• Central Missouri- serves clients of the Kirksville, Hannibal, Rolla and Central Missouri Regional Offices
• East Missouri- serves the St. Louis metropolitan area
• Northwest Missouri-Albany and Kansas City Regional Offices
• Southeast Missouri-Poplar Bluff and Sikeston Regional Offices
• Southwest Regional- Joplin and Springfield Offices

 Autism Project Services

According to Code of State Regulations 9 CSR 45-3.060 Autism Project Services May Include:

• Assessment
• Advocacy training;
• Behavior management training and supports
• Communication and language therapy;
• Consultation on individualized education and habilitation plans;
• Crisis intervention;
• Information and referral assistance;
• Life skills;
• Music therapy;
• Occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy, and consultation;
• Parent or caregiver training;
• Public education and information dissemination;
• Respite care; and
• Staff training.

  Missouri Advisory Committee on Autism

The Missouri Advisory Committee on Autism is composed of two representatives and one alternate from each of the five parent advisory committees as set out in the Code of State Regulations 9 CSR 45-3.060. It includes one person with autism and one alternate, a person with autism, who are not members of a parent advisory committee. The committee is appointed by the division director from nominations by the local parent advisory committees.  Members serve three year terms  Members meet bi-monthly.

Missouri Advisory Committee Responsibilities

• Communication with the autism projects to provide up-to-date information to them and the families they serve
• Determining project outcomes for autism services
• Determining roles and responsibilities of the parent advisory committees
• Development of positive relationships with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and local school districts
• Establishing statewide policy
• Fostering unity with and among the projects to ensure joint support for legislative, budget and other issues
• Planning and sponsorship of statewide activities
• Provision of program recommendations to the division
• Recommendation of service providers to the division director in the event a parent advisory committee and district deputy director cannot reach consensus
• Recommendation of issues resolutions to the division director

LINKS

SB 157 signed into law - Missouri's Autism Projects now in statute!

DMH Autism Page

(contains FACT SHEET on Autism Projects)