Welcome Letter

Welcome advocate,

Thanks for your interest in state advocacy for the autism community! It is our hope that this guide will ensure the perspectives of autistic people, their family members and allies are more present and influential within state government.

Autism Speaks has long been a trusted source of nonpartisan information for legislators and the public. Our team has worked directly on federal and state policy and engaged advocates through in-person events such as our Advocacy Forum & Hill Day in Washington, DC as well as state advocacy days. We also provide easy-to-use online tools that empower you to contact lawmakers or share your story.

In addition to drawing on our own knowledge and experience, this guide was developed through collaboration and conversations with autistic self-advocates and their families, advocacy experts and lawmakers. Throughout the guide, you’ll also hear from fellow advocates, who share their experiences and tips for success.

We believe advocacy should be accessible to everyone. This guide is written in plain language to support a wide range of learning styles and levels of advocacy experiences. Each section also provides an opportunity to immediately put what you learn into practice.

We’re grateful for your trust, time, and energy! We’re glad you’re here, and we’re honored to support you as you build relationships, share your story, and help shape autism policy in your state.