During this interactive session, the Bureau of Autism Services and the Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training Collaborative (ASERT) will provide information on the updated Pennsylvania Autism Census numbers, and will discuss the impact of the increasing number of children with autism who are transitioning into adulthood, and will require services. Information about Pennsylvania’s adult autism programs, the first programs of their kind in the nation, will be provided. In addition, statewide and regional resources will be shared, including resources specific to surrounding counties. An opportunity will be provided for questions and feedback during a facilitated roundtable discussion.

Nina Wall, M.SS., LSW, is the Director for the Bureau of Autism Services in the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Prior to this position, she served as co-chair of the Autism Task Force commissioned by Secretary Richman in July 2003. She was a founding member and first President of the Pennsylvania Action Coalition for Autism Services (PACAS), a statewide board of regional autism advocates. She has served as a Board member for Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy, and served for seven years as the Information and Referral Director for the Autism Society of Greater Philadelphia. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College's Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Ms. Wall worked as a family, child and adolescent therapist with a specific focus on clinical work with families of children and adolescents with ASD and other behavioral health challenges. Ms. Wall is the parent of a young adult with autism.