July News
Our July newsletter is out! Check out our new AUTonomy series, Autism Workforce Empowerment Day, July 4th event & tips, and new groups! Read it here. Subscribe here.
Education
Statement on Xavier Hernandez
Take Action! Tell federal legislators to support the Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA), by completing this action alert. We at the Autism Society of Texas are saddened by the death of Xavier Hernandez, a 21-year old man with autism who was physically restrained in Boulevard Heights School (Fort Worth […]
June News
Check out what’s happening in June! Our Texas Autism Bike Ride & Fun Run wraps up on 6/5, we’re presenting at the Texas Autism Virtual Conference, sign up now for our job fair- calling all attendees and employers, and save the date for AutFest Texas in October! Read the June […]
AutFest Texas: Coming this October!
We are thrilled to announce the return of our in-person autism film festival, AutFest Texas, this October! Mark your calendars! We’ll be hosting the event in Austin at AFS Cinema, in Houston at The Monarch School, in the DFW area at Studio Movie Grill (Spring Valley location), and a Virtual […]
Final Hurdle! Four Bills Need Your Help!
First! Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off and these two bills were sent to the Governor yesterday and are set to become law! After 3 sessions (6 years!!), HB 159 – improved teacher training so teachers learn specifics of how to work with all disabilities including how to make […]
5/19/21 Advocacy Alerts! Take Action!
PART 1: Good news! Your actions worked and bills are moving to Senate Education this Friday! Please call Senate Education Committee members and ask for their support for the bills below, then scroll down for Part 2! HB 1252 | Extend time to file a due process complaint from one […]
Advocacy Alerts! Take Action!
May 17th Advocacy Alerts! We are almost at the end of the 87th Texas legislative session and a few bills have a chance to pass but need your help! Please call as soon as possible! Who to contact: Please call the Lt. Governor’s office and your own Texas State Senator. […]
HB 3880 – Include Full Evaluations for Dyslexia in Texas Special Education
Posted: 5/10/21 Issue: In listing many different types of learning disabilities that might trigger a need for special education and related services, Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) expressly includes dyslexia. When dyslexia is suspected, schools must offer a comprehensive evaluation under IDEA. A comprehensive evaluation can identify dyslexia […]
HB 1252 | Expand Time Limit to Request Special Education Due Process Hearing
Posted: 5/10/21 Issue: In 2004, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) added a two-year statute of limitations to provide a parent of a child with a disability the opportunity to bring a due process claim against a school district. This two-year statute of limitations was included because Congress acknowledged that […]