MADSEC is the professional association
for administrators of special education in the State of Maine.
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Download MADSEC Autism Task Force Report
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Letter to recipients of the Report from co-chairs of the Task Force.
January 25, 1999
To Our MADSEC Colleagues:
This document is the result of a year and a half of work by MADSEC's Autism Task Force. In May of 1997, the MADSEC representative board voted to form a task force to study numerous interventions for children with autism. With some trepidation, we volunteered to co-chair this task force.
Because the work of the task force was prompted by increasing litigation surrounded by a range of beliefs and values concerning autism intervention, we realized this could be an emotionally charged process. As co-chairs, we met to evaluate task force candidates from a variety of backgrounds based upon the likelihood that they would make an enduring commitment to the heavy work load, as well as valuable contributions to the process. Furthermore, we had to ensure these knowledgeable and diverse people could work together toward a common goal.
Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine how the Autism Task Force would rise to this challenge, and beyond. These individuals have displayed professionalism at all times. They have been unfailingly respectful of different points of view. They have been eager to learn about different interventions, and to uncover the science that would substantiate, or fail to substantiate, the effectiveness of the intervention.
Having said that, we would be less than honest if we did not confess that opinions clashed from time to time. Unanimity came hard, but we pursued consensus relentlessly until we could reach it. The stakes were nothing less than the future of the children we serve who have autism: there was no room or tolerance for "political correctness."
We are extremely proud of this document, and sincerely hope you find it to be a valuable resource. As co-chairs, we wish to express our absolute awe of and respect for this exceptional Autism Task Force. We thank each and every one who participated in this process, and MADSEC for the opportunity to do this very important work.
Mike Butler
Administrator of Special Education
MSAD #58 (Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong)
Shirley Tawney
Administrator of Special Education
Bath School Department
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