Amy Rheaume

Members of the Committee: Thank you for taking time to read my testimony. I strongly oppose this HB1337. I am a parent of an adult child with autism spectrum disorder. I am also a member nominated by this council, waiting on the governor’s appointment like others spoke of in today’s testimony. As stated in testimony, I am very thankful that the council helped establish the blue envelope program. My son is working towards his drivers license and the blue envelope is going to give me peace as a parent that a police officer will know how to interact with my son if gets pulled over or gets in an accident. A subcommittee has just formed as part of the council to develop a New Hampshire resource page on our website. This is a critical sub-committee as no other website in the state of New Hampshire has such a resource for people with autism or families with those with autism. Many people spoke regarding the barriers of us being a successful council over the past year and half. One of those barriers is the attendance online, during our meetings, by Shannon Bouchard. She is the individual who partnered with Mr. MacDonald to sponsor HB1337. We meet as a council for 1.5 hours on a monthly basis. Each time we meet, she logs on remotely, and causes our committee to respond to her for 10 minutes plus of our meeting time to discuss whether we are meeting quorum or following RSA’s. Our council chair, respectfully answers her questions, but agenda items are not addressed fully as they could be to this line of questioning. People with autism or families of loved ones with autism are suffering and need help. Each minute of this council meeting and its subcommittee’s matter. Please do not stop the New Hampshire autism council from meeting. Also, I came to testify against this last year, but due to this hearing being held on February break, I am with my family and could not attend today, but would’ve liked to. Thank you for taking the time to read this and to listen to everyone today. If possible, please do anything you can to strengthen this council and get our member appointed members nominated by our Governor. Amy Rheaume, Derry, NH