The Oklahoma Plan

In April 2001, Howard Hendrick, the director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, brought together stakeholders "to discuss the development of a comprehensive plan that would move the state to the cutting edge of research, service delivery and supports for people with autism of all ages in the state of Oklahoma." The Autism Working Group was convened by the Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Lee Mitchener Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities (Department of Rehabilitation Science, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center). Participants included representatives of the primary agencies and providers serving people with autism in Oklahoma, representatives of higher education, and parents of people with autism. The Individuals with Autism and Their Families, Oklahoma Plan details the vision and recommendations of the Autism Working Group.


The Individuals with Autism and Their Families, Oklahoma Plan developed by the Autism Working Group over a two year period included information collected from parents, professionals, and other people around the state with information, expertise or experience with people with autism spectrum disorders. The vision for Oklahomans with autism and their families, key findings, and the plan for moving towards the vision were detailed by the Autism Working Group. The plan will be implemented purposefully and thoughtfully through collaboration of multiple agencies and resources in Oklahoma. As the first step in implementation, the Oklahoma Autism Network was established in 2003.

Reports

Progress Reports

Oklahoma Autism Needs Assessment Survey

2015 OKLAHOMA AUTISM NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 
College of Allied Health
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities
Oklahoma Autism Network

STUDY INFORMATION
2/10/15
IRB #5205

During 2015, the Oklahoma Autism Network conducted the second statewide Oklahoma Autism Needs Assessment Survey. The results are published in a report titled: Oklahoma Autism Needs Assessment Survey: Parents, Caregivers and Individuals Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders dated June 30, 2016. The primary goals of this study were to collect information to describe the types of services and supports children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder use and need, to assess satisfaction of services and supports, and to inform the Oklahoma Family and Interagency Autism Council, state agencies, and the legislature.

If you have questions about this study, please contact the Principal Investigator, Julie D. Smith, or the Co-Principal Investigator, Rene' Daman at 405.271.7476, 1.877.228.8476, or okautism@ouhsc.edu.

2012 OKLAHOMA AUTISM NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 
College of Allied Health
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities
Oklahoma Autism Network

STUDY INFORMATION
2/20/12
IRB #16364

In 2012, the Oklahoma Autism Network conducted the first statewide Oklahoma Autism Needs Assessment Survey. The results are published in a report titled: Oklahoma Autism Needs Assessment Survey: Parents, Caregivers and Individuals Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The results of the survey were presented to the Oklahoma Family and Interagency Autism Council, state agencies, and the legislature to alert them to the needs of families and individuals.

If you have questions about this study, please contact the Principal Investigator, Julie D. Smith, or the Co-Principal Investigator, Jennifer Moyano at 405.271.7476, 1.877.228.8476, or okautism@ouhsc.edu.

Oklahoma Autism Needs Assessment Survey of Professional Development

OKLAHOMA AUTISM NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 
College of Allied Health
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities and Autism
Oklahoma Autism Network

STUDY INFORMATION
9/23/14
IRB #4769

The Oklahoma Autism Needs Assessment Survey of Professional Development is a statewide training needs assessment approved by the OUHSC Institutional Review Board. The purpose of this study is to better understand the professional development needs relevant within the state of Oklahoma.  Results of the survey will be presented to the Oklahoma Family and Interagency Autism Council, state agencies, and the legislature. View and/or print the final report: 2014 Oklahoma Autism Needs Assessment Survey of Professional Development, June 30, 2014.

 Address correspondence concerning this report to the principal investigators, Julie D. Smith, MS, OTR/L and Rene’ Daman, PT, MS, Oklahoma Autism Network, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1200 North Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73117; email: julie-smith@ouhsc.edu and rene-daman@ouhsc.edu  

The Oklahoma Family and Interagency Autism Council

Purpose

The Council was convened and is coordinated by the Oklahoma Autism Network.  The purposes of the Council are to:

  • Facilitate the efficient and effective exchange of information on ASD activities among state agencies, professionals, and families;
     
  • Coordinate ASD-related activities within the state for individuals across the ASD spectrum and across the lifespan;
     
  • Increase public understanding of the member agencies' activities, programs, policies, and research related to ASD;
     
  • Provide input to updates of the Individuals with Autism and Their Families, Oklahoma Plan; and
     
  • Provide an opportunity for those invested in Oklahomans with autism and their families to network and build relationships that foster collaboration between agencies, organizations, and family members.

Members

Rene’ Daman, PT, MS, BCBA, LBA Chair

Director, Oklahoma Autism Network, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

 

Autism Center of Tulsa

Jennifer Miller, BS, Co-Founder, Resource Director, Autism Center of Tulsa

Michelle Wilkerson, BA, Co-Founder, Program Director, Autism Center of Tulsa

 

AutismOklahoma

Melinda Lauffenburger, Executive Director

 

Choctaw Nation

Rebecca Hawkins, HeadStart and Johnson-O'Malley Program Director 
Shar Carter, Outreach and Government Relations

 

Department of Education, Special Education Services

vacant

 

Department of Health, SoonerStart

John Corpolongo, MS, Director

Gina Richardson, MS, CCPS, Program Consultant

 

Department of Human Services

Michaela Bishop, Director of Training / Behavior Support Services, Developmental Disabilities Services

Linda Whaley, Program Manager II, Child Care Services

 

Department of Rehabilitation Services

Kim Osmani, MEd, Transition Coordinator

 

Higher Education

University of Oklahoma

James Martin, PhD, Zarrow Family Professor of Learning Enrichment, Zarrow Center, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education

 

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Wanda Felty, Community Leadership and Advocacy Coordinator, Oklahoma LEND Core Faculty, Center for Learning and Leadership, College of Medicine

Bonnie McBride, PhD, BCBA, Assistant Professor Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics

Judy Pluess, Family Services Coordinator, Oklahoma Autism Network, College of Allied Health

Julie D. Smith, MS, OTR/L, Co-Director, Oklahoma Autism Network, College of Allied Health

Ginger Wells, MSW, Special Projects Coordinator, Oklahoma Autism Network, College of Allied Health

 

NAMI Oklahoma, Inc. (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

         Wendy Nix, Director of Adult and Family Programs

 

Norman Public Schools

Justin Milner, Director of Special Services

 

Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council

Jenifer Randle, Advocacy and Training Coordinator

 

Oklahoma Family Network

Joni Bruce, Executive Director
Angela Donley, Autism Coordinator

 

Parents

Ashley Dawson

Shawna Muns

Amber Theinert

 

Private Providers

Sherilyn Walton, LCSW, Family Support Program Coordinator, TARC