Princeton, NJ (1/15/15) – National autism societies from Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the United States will meet at the end of the month with the purpose of identifying future participants and developing an ongoing communications network to unify the voices of autism advocates in their work with national public policy decision makers. Recognized as an expert in the field of autism, Dr. Tom McCool, President /CEO of TMC Consulting and former President/CEO of Princeton-based Eden Autism Services, will serve as coordinator and facilitator of these meetings scheduled for January 27-29 in Belfast, Ireland.
“I see this as an incredible opportunity to bring autism advocacy to the next level and beyond so that steps can be taken now to prepare for the next waves of children, adults, and families impacted by autism,” said McCool.
This Autism Summit is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the U.S. Congress and the Northern Ireland Assembly Autism Caucus nearly eight years ago in September 2007. The two countries formally agreed to develop cooperative relationships with significant national autism organizations for the purpose of increasing awareness, resources and support for people and their families who are impacted by autism. Reaching out beyond those directly affected by autism to the general population is the next step in the process of helping the public’s understanding of the lifelong developmental disability.
Autism Northern Ireland was the key motivator in the signing of the MOU between Northern Ireland Assembly and the US Congress. In May, 2012, Dr. Arlene Cassidy MBE, CEO of Autism Northern Ireland, and Dr. McCool were participants on a five-person Congressional hearing on the Global Impact of Autism where Dr McCool stated, “We have the means available now to bring together the varied autism treatment philosophies to resolve differences and speak with one voice.”
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For the next two years, Dr. McCool and Dr. Cassidy communicated on several topics, including the concept of organizing a meeting of a small group of national autism societies for the purpose of establishing a unified message to be communicated to national public policy decision makers in various countries to promote the allocation of resources to assist children, adults, and families impacted by autism globally. In May 2014, Dr. McCool and Dr. Cassidy met in Belfast and initiated a specific plan to organize a meeting of national autism societies to begin this process. Dr. Cassidy said, “Since 2007 we have talked about this meeting, and now have a significant commitment from a small but extremely knowledgeable group to lead the way.”
Additional attendees for this month’s meeting include Scott Badesch, President/CEO of the Autism Society, Pat Matthews, CEO of Autism Ireland, Alan Somerville of the Scottish Autism Society and Andy Grainger of ASC Cymru in Wales. Also invited to the meeting are Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), co-chairs of the US Congressional Autism Caucus.
With more than 30 years experience working in the developmental disability field, Dr. Thomas P. McCool, Ed.D., is best known for his leadership roles serving as President/CEO of Eden Autism Services and Vice President of Developmental and Government Affairs at Devereux. Currently, McCool is the CEO/President of TMC Consulting in which he provides management consultation services to promote quality programs and services for children and adults with special needs. For more information contact tmccoo125@gmail.com.
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