WHAT: Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, whose 16-year-old son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism at age 3, will host his 3rd annual Autism Action Day in the State Capitol. This call to action day will bring together organizations, self-advocates and family members together with legislators from across state.

Guest speakers include Dr. Theresa Hamlin, Associate Executive Director of the Center for Discovery and author of Autism and The Stress Effect and Courtney Burke, Chairwoman of New York State’s NEW Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board. During the program, Assemblyman Santabarbara will present Via Aquarium in Rotterdam, NY with the 2018 NY State Autism Action Award. Earlier this month Assemblyman Santabarbara hosted an Autism Day at the aquarium that offered a sensory friendly experience to families affected by autism. With more than 1,500 participants the event was a big success for autism awareness in the Capital Region.

WHERE: The Well of the Legislative Office Building at the New York State Capitol in Albany, NY 12210

WHEN: 9am – 2pm, Wednesday, April 18th, 2018; the official program will begin at 10am

WHO: Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, autism families, autism advocacy groups, direct-care workers and self-advocates from across the state, Dr. Theresa Hamlin, Associate Executive Director of the Center for Discovery and author of Autism and The Stress Effect and Courtney Burke, Chairwoman of New York State’s NEW Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board. "Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the country," said Santabarbara, who serves as chair of the New York State Assembly’s Subcommittee on Autism Spectrum Disorders. “With 1 in 68 children born with autism each year in the United States, at some point it will be 1 in 68 adults. Whether you are a self-advocate or have a family member, friend or someone in your community affected by autism, Autism Action Day is an opportunity to join the conversation and add your voice to a statewide call for action on the funding and the legislation that can make a difference. My hope is that this annual event will become a nationwide, or even worldwide event in the years to come – but it all starts here.”