What is needed for Autism services?

I'm taking part in a survey given by Autism New Jersey, where parents of kids with autism, and professionals who work with individuals with autism are asked: what works? and what is needed? Wow, what IS needed? Well, just about EVERYTHING!!
Yes, here in NJ the schools that have programs for kids with autism do have some nice things in place. But there is still a huge amount of work to be done.
We need: visual aides in classrooms
teachers and aides to be trained in 'autism'
parent groups for support and education
community workshops/presentations to increase awareness of autism
first responders training on autism (cops and EMT people)
training on 'modifications' to regular ed classes
recreational/leisure skills training and activities for people with ASD
Better awareness of ASD with pediatricians and other mainstream doctors
Anti-bullying training for middle-schoolers and older students

I know I've left lots out, but those are the main areas (in my book) that need to be worked on.
Don't get me wrong - I am pro-disability awareness in ALL areas. I work with kids with a great variety of disabilities, and they should all be unconditionally accepted. But autism is so quirky, so unique, and so damned difficult!!! Believe me, I know first hand how frustrating it can be to identify it and then acknowledge and accept it. But look at the numbers...in the US, it's 1 in 150. In NJ, it's 1 in 94. And now we know that worldwide, the autism numbers are rising. In Austrailia, it's 1 in 120. When will the world look at autism square in the face and see that it is here to stay? And that we have people in EVERY COMMUNITY who have autism, who will live a normal lifespan, and be part of our towns and cities and lives, and who deserve help and services just like the rest of us? Come one, people, Let's Go! Autism is a reality. Accept it.
Or as my friend Sue says, "Build a bridge, and get over it!"

BAD DAY. Sad day. Whoa, this is turning out like a Dr. Seuss book. It was a bad start to the day. (that's better) My husband and I woke up having a "long, serious talk". The poor kids never got breakfast. The long serious talk turned into a quiet, intense fight. Topic? Our son's education. We both agree on what he needs, but we seem to set each other off when we talk about it. We both feel as though the other one is not listening. I have an inferiority complex, so I always take everything my husband says as criticism. It can get emotional. It stinks. I sometimes see myself getting in the car and driving away, never to return. I would never do it, but I envisioned it. As a parent, there's good stress and there's bad stress. And often these overlap, so that it all feels like bad stress. I have a big old dinner plate full of bad stress right now. I'm off to take a shower! That's about the only place to get away to, so I'm going! Then some red wine, and I'll start dinner. It will get better, I will tell myself, and it will. But it still stinks.