Like all parents I want the most for my son, I realized long ago that
getting the most for him is not an easy task.. it involves alot of
work and continual updates from his school, his mom, and many others.
As well I found back in 1996 that I had to speak.. I just couldn't
keep my mouth shut..and that's when I first was registered as a
Lobbyist in 1996.. It changed alot..by the end of the year I was in
D.C. and spent the next several years doing IEP's/Due Process
hearings, talking on the Hill, and finally in 2002 I ended up in
Hawai'i over the felix consent decree.. I don't think many could blame
me for staying here as a place to keep mellow while I still continue
to do the same Advocacy by teleconference and Lobby in effect by
teleconference.. but now I'm taking the approach with Lawmakers as a
'Concerned Father' ...it's seeming to carry much more weight with the
transition team

http://officeofadvocacy.spaces.live.com/

and those that are looking for the best ideas in America to adopt as
policy..hence the Change.org site.. but not to worry.. I was told
today that they are searching key words and already looking at some of
the Ideas they didn't have. What's somewhat hard to understand is
that they DO NOT have a pending request for a Presidential ACT on
this.. and this needs some action in the 'first 100 days' ..we were
promised alot..and must remember that. As parents we need to do our
part ..whatever that part is. I've put together 100 of the best and
'allowed' emails from parents regarding their situation in their
school.. they are quite BAD looking and will accompany this
Legislative Request to President Obama. We have over 560,000 children
in public schools that have the diagnosis of Autism or Autism Spectrum
Disorder. We have a very competent number of parents..especially
those on the lists..so please take a few minutes and go to
http://www.change.org/idea/view/accept_and_sign_the_autism_reform_act_of_2009
When you get there remember to sign in or register really quickly and
then go to the Autism Reform Act of 2009 and vote for it by clicking
on the little 'vote' under the number....WE ARE 52 Votes from 3rd
which advances us in the final round..close to 600 parents have voted
I believe.. but still..out of 560,000... we need to not only vote as a
community we need to spread the word.. If you think you have voted
double check and make sure you did.. if you did it will say 'voted. .
This is important as it includes input from parents across yahoo
groups which means across the nation. All input was/is being used to
draft the Actual Final Version of the ACT..but we still have parental
input coming in.. if you want to share..please do so offlist to the
yahoo email address up on top. Thank you all very much for your
patience as I know some of you have seen this a bunch..but we need to
untie..thats a big problem we have nationally..Lets do it !
Michael E. Robinson, The Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children