National Advisory Committee

All Autism NOW Center initiatives and activities will be guided by a National Advisory Committee. A majority of the members of this committee either will identify as having an autism spectrum disorder and/or an intellectual or developmental disability or will be a family member to a person who identifies himself or herself as being on the autism spectrum or having an intellectual or developmental disability. The remaining members of the National Advisory Committee will be representatives from national networks and others (i.e. educators, professionals, researchers in the field).

The National Advisory Committee will meet twice each year in Washington, DC, and monthly via teleconference or as frequently as determined by the Committee.

Chairperson Max Barrows

The Chairperson for the National Advisory Committee is Mr. Max Barrows, Since 2007, Max Barrows has worked for Green Mountain Self-Advocates as the Outreach Coordinator. Max provides training and technical assistance for a statewide self-advocacy organization. He is a founding member of his local self-advocacy group. He is a peer sexuality educator who teaches a variety of sexuality and self-advocacy workshops. Max has been a peer facilitator for Hire Up, a group for self-advocates looking for a job or interested in improving their work status. Max loves meeting new people and learning more about the world. On September 25, 2010 Max was elected Vice-President of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered, the national self-advocacy organization. Additionally, Max is an artist and has good knowledge and a strong interest in weather.