All Autism NOW Center initiatives and activities are guided by its National Advisory Committee. Committee members include people who identify as having an autism spectrum disorder and/or an intellectual or developmental disability; family members to people who identify himself or herself as being on the autism spectrum or having an intellectual or developmental disability; and professionals in the disability fields.

The National Advisory Committee meets quarterly via teleconference to discuss Autism NOW programs and activities and to review and evaluate the content and direction of the Autism NOW website. The Committee also reviews new resources as part of its role in the resource criteria process for all topical and geographic resources.

Chairperson Max Barrows

The Chairperson for the National Advisory Committee is Mr. Max Barrows. Max Barrows is a young man living with Autism. Since 2007, Max Barrows has worked for Green Mountain Self-Advocates as the Outreach Coordinator. He provides training and technical assistance statewide, traveling to local self-advocacy groups around Vermont. Max is a founding member and first President of his local self-advocacy group. He is a skilled facilitator, who teaches a variety of sexuality and self-advocacy workshops. His talents as a public speaker have been called upon often, to MC at conferences and deliver keynote speeches. On September 1, 2012 Max was re-elected to the board of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), the national self-advocacy organization. In this position, he pays close attention to national disability issues, participating in many conference calls with other leaders.