Guide to the Harvey and Connie Lapin Collection

Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives
Title: Harvey and Connie Lapin Collection
Creator: Lapin, Harvey and Connie
Identifier/Call Number: SC.HCL
Extent: 10.58 linear feet
Extent: 13.3 Gigabytes
Date (inclusive): 1969-2006
Abstract: Harvey and Connie Lapin's son Shawn was diagnosed with severe autism as a child. In the 1970s, they became activists in advocating for autistic children and adults, and Shawn became national poster child for the National Society for Autistic Children shortly after. The Harvey and Connie Lapin Collection documents the couple's advocacy work with various agencies beginning in 1971 and continuing through the 2000s. The collection consists primarily of manuscript materials, scrapbooks, audio visual materials, and photographs.
Language of Material: English, Spanish; Castilian

Family History:

Harvey and Connie Lapin, residents of Northridge California, have three children, including an autistic son, Shawn Lapin. Shawn became the national poster child for the National Society for Autistic Children in 1973, at age 5. Over several decades they have founded or worked with various organizations promoting awareness and advocacy for the people and families affected by autism.
Harvey Lapin, a dentist, began serving on the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of Los Angeles (ASLA) in 1971. He became President of the Autism Society of America (formerly known as the National Society for Autistic Children) in 1976, and visited the White House for President Carter's signing of the Mental Health Proclamation. Lapin was the founder and organizer of the Save Autistic Children Telethon from 1977-1984. He served as President of the Board of Directors for ASLA from 1989-1992. He was one of the major founding fathers of Jay Nolan Community Services, and was elected President of its Board of Directors from 1990-1992. Dr. Lapin has been an active member of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, along with the American, California, and San Fernando Valley Dental Societies. He has promoted disability awareness in lectures and publications that have included appearances on national television and lectures at international conferences, and has authored and published several articles. His special interest lies in providing entrepreneurial advancement for adults with autism. In 2013 he initiated passage of California's first self-determination law for the developmentally disabled, the first of its kind in the country (SB 468.)
Connie Lapin, a speech pathologist, has been a member of the Board of Directors of ASLA since 1971. She has served as Chairperson of the ASLA's Legislative Committee during her entire tenure. Additionally, she was past Chairperson of the Honig Advisory Committee on Special Education; Chairperson of the Stallone Fund for Autism Research; Secretary and Board member of the North Los Angeles County Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities; Chairperson for Protection and Advocacy; a member of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps; and a member of the National Advisory Board of Research and Training Center of Non-aversive Behavior Management for the University of Oregon.
Since 1971, Connie Lapin has been an international lecturer and advocate for persons with developmental disabilities, testifying and lecturing before government bodies, colleges, and conferences. She has provided consultation to, and appeared on, numerous national and television shows. She was honored at the White House by President Ronald Reagan on the 10th anniversary of the passage of the right to education (PL 94-142), and has received awards from the National Society for Autistic Children, the North Los Angeles County Regional Center, the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, the National Society for Autistic Children & Adults, and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
During the Lapin's tenure with the ASLA, the organization joined five other groups in filing a lawsuit that would challenge California's conscious and chronic underfunding of its community care system in favor of institutions. The lawsuit was filed under federal anti-discrimination laws and Tittle XIX of the Federal Social Security Act.

Scope and Contents

The Harvey and Connie Lapin Collection primarily documents the couple's promotion of autism awareness. The collection reflects the Lapin's advocacy of persons with autism through their involvement in various organizations, participation in legal action attempting to improve conditions for those with autism, and various fundraising endeavors, especially in California, and dates from 1969-2006. The collection consists of five series: Sanchez v. Johnson (1997-2005), Activism (1969-2006), Photographic Material (1977-1999), Scrapbooks (1977-1987), and Audio Visual Material (1977-1996).
Series I, Sanchez v. Johnson, documents a legal case that the Autism Society of Los Angeles (ASLA) filed with five other organizations and six individual plaintiffs against the Department of Disability Services in California. It consists of legal documents of various types such as motions, judgments, and testimony, and also includes correspondence between all parties involved such as the plaintiff's attorneys from the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia to the Lapins, and correspondence between the Lapins, ASLA and their supporters. Press materials regarding the status of the case and its outcome are also included. The series dates from 1997- 2005, and is filed alphabetically.
Series II, Activism, documents the history of ASLA and includes general information regarding Autism itself.  It includes newsletters from the organization, articles from newspapers and magazines regarding Autism, and promotional materials from the ASLA. This series dates from 1969-2006, and is filed alphabetically.
Series III, Photographic Material, contains a variety of photographic prints, negatives, and transparencies from various events and activities the Lapins and ASLA were involved in. ASLA auctions, fashion shows, and telethons are included, as well as jogathons, picnics, and conferences. This series dates from 1977-1999, and is filed alphabetically.
Series IV, Scrapbooks, consists of eight scrapbooks containing memorabilia from the Lapin's involvement in various organizations and events that they have been associated with, and are made up of clippings and other materials that relate to autism and activism. Subjects include telethons, jogathons, fashion shows, and the Jay Nolan Center. The series dates from 1977-1987, and is organized chronologically.
Series V, Audio Visual Material, consists of recordings of telethons that Harvey Lapin organized and public service announcements regarding autism. Members of ASLA are featured in the short film, "Bobby." "Autism in the Classroom" features the Autism Society of America's 1985 Teacher of the Year. Some of the public service announcements were produced by ASLA and have narration by Sylvester Stallone, father of an autistic son. The series dates from 1977-1996 and is arranged alphabetically by title.

Arrangement of Materials:

Series I: Sanchez v. Johnson, 1997-2005
Series II: Activism, 1969-2005
Series III: Photographic Material, 1977-1999
Series IV: Scrapbooks, 1977-1987
Series V: Audio Visual Material, 1977-1996

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Harvey and Connie Lapin, 01/06/2013.

Preferred Citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials  guide.

Processing Information:

Sylvia Fischer (Intern), 2014

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Documents
Photographs
Scrapbooks
Audiovisual materials

 

Series I: Sanchez v. Johnson, 1997-2005

Box 1, Folder 1

Budget Development and Expenditure, 2000-2003

Box 1, Folder 2

Case Appeal, 2003

Box 1, Folder 3

Case Appeal and Related Title XIX Cases, 2001-2005

Box 1, Folder 4

Case Appeal Support Documents, 2001-2004

Box 1, Folder 5

Case Status Updates and Correspondence, 2001-2002

Box 1, Folder 6

Case Summary, 2004

Box 1, Folder 7

Case Support Documents, 2000

Box 1, Folder 8

Case Support Documents, 2000-2003

Box 1, Folder 9

Case Support Documents, 2000-2004

Box 2, Folder 1

Case Supporting Documents, 2005

Box 2, Folder 2

Case Support Documents and Research, 2002-2003

Box 2, Folder 3

Class Determination, 1997-2001

Box 2, Folder 4

Class Determination, 1998-2002

Box 2, Folder 5

Class Determination, 2001

Box 2, Folder 6

Community Based Care General Correspondence, 2000-2005

Box 2, Folder 7

Community Based Care Services Funding, 1999-2003

Box 2, Folder 8

Community Based Caregiver Wages, 1989-2002

Box 3, Folder 1

Community Based Caregiver Wages Depositions and Reports, 2002

Box 3, Folder 2

Community Care Facility Funding, 2000-2003

Box 3, Folder 3

Community Care Salaries and Funding, 2000-2001

Box 3, Folder 4

Community Caregiver Wages Expert Testimony, 2003

Box 3, Folder 5

Community Placement and Olmstead State Plan, 2002-2003

Box 3, Folder 6

Community Placement and Wages, 2003

Box 3, Folder 7

Court's Opinion and Related Press Materials and Correspondence, 2002

Box 3, Folder 8

Department of Developmental Services Budget Change Proposal and Related Research, 1997-2003

Box 3, Folder 9

Developmentally Disabled Opinion, 2000

Box 3, Folder 10

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, 2003

Box 4, Folder 1

General Correspondence, 2001-2005

Box 4, Folder 2

Legal Correspondence, 1999-2002

Box 4, Folder 3

Legal Research, 1998

Box 4, Folder 4

Payment Rate Testimony, 2003

Box 4, Folder 5

Press Materials, 1998-2001

Box 4, Folder 6

Press Materials, 2005

Box 4, Folder 7

Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia Brochures, 1999-2000

Box 4, Folder 8

Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia Supporting Documents, 2000

Box 4, Folder 9

Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia Supporting Documents, 2000

Box 5, Folder 1

Request for Support, 1997-1998

Box 5, Folder 2

Request for Support, 1997-1998

Box 5, Folder 3

Supported Living and Community Care Facilities, 1998

Box 5, Folder 4

Supported Living Funding, 1998

Box 5, Folder 5

Systems Service Reform, 2001

 

Series II: Activism, 1969-2006

Box 5, Folder 6

Autism Society of Los Angeles Articles Binder, 1999-2006

Box 5, Folder 7

Autism Society of Los Angeles Articles Binder, 1999-2006

Box 5, Folder 8

Autism Society of Los Angeles Articles Binder, 1999-2006

Box 5, Folder 9

Autism Society of Los Angeles Articles Binder, 1999-2006

Box 5, Folder 10

Autism Society of Los Angeles History Binder, 1973-1998

Box 5, Folder 11

Autism Society of Los Angeles History Binder, 1969-2002

Box 5, Folder 12

Autism Society of Los Angeles History Binder, 1969-2000

Box 5, Folder 13

Loose Materials, 1987-1994

Box 6, Folder 1

What is Autism Binder, 1972-2002

Box 6, Folder 2

What is Autism Binder, 1974-1989

Box 6, Folder 3

What is Autism Binder, 1975-1989

Box 14, Folder 1

Plaque, "Save Autistic Children Telethon", 1977

Box 14, Folder 2

Promotional Materials, 1976-1986

Box 14, Folder 3

Holiday Card Proofsheets, 1986

Box 14, Folder 4

Holiday Card Layout Board, 1988

 

Series III: Photographic Material, 1977-1999

Box 6, Folder 4

Autism Society of Los Angeles, 1995

Box 6, Folder 5

Autism Society of Los Angeles Auctions and National Society of Autistic Children National Conference, 1985

Box 6, Folder 6

Autism Society of Los Angeles Board of Directors, 1994-1999

Box 6, Folder 7

Autism Society of Los Angeles Fashion Show

Box 6, Folder 8

Autism Society of Los Angeles Luncheon, 1998

Box 6, Folder 9

Autism Society of Los Angeles Picnic and Jogathon, 1985-1993

Box 6, Folder 10

Conference, 1999

Box 6, Folder 11

Fashion Show, 1990

Box 7, Folder 1

Fashion Shows

Box 7, Folder 2

Jogathon

Box 7, Folder 3

Jogathon

Box 7, Folder 4

Jogathon

Box 7, Folder 5

Jogathon

Box 7, Folder 6

Jogathon, 1982

Box 7, Folder 7

Jogathon, 1984

Box 7, Folder 8

Jogathon, 1985

Box 7, Folder 9

Jogathon, 1990

Box 7, Folder 10

Jogathon, 1991

Box 7, Folder 11

Jogathon, 1992

Box 7, Folder 12

Jogathon and Luncheon, 1983

Box 8, Folder 1

Legislation

Box 8, Folder 2

Luncheon, 1982

Box 8, Folder 3

Party After Golf Tournament, 1981

Box 8, Folder 4

San Antonio, 1984

Box 8, Folder 5

Telethons

Box 8, Folder 6

Telethons

Box 8, Folder 7

Telethons

Box 8, Folder 8

Telethons

Box 8, Folder 9

Telethons and Negatives, 1977-1984

Box 8, Folder 10

Telethons Proofsheets and Negatives

Box 9, Folder 1

Telethon Transparencies

Box 9, Folder 2

Toby Arenberg Head of Los Angeles National Society of Autistic Children, 1987-1988

Box 9, Folder 3

Unknown Event

Box 9, Folder 4

Unknown Event, 1980

Box 9, Folder 5

Unknown Events

 

Series IV: Scrapbooks, 1977-1987

Box 10, Folder 1

1977-1978

Box 10, Folder 2

1979-1980

Box 11, Folder 1

1981-1982

Box 11, Folder 2

1983

Box 12, Folder 1

1984

Box 12, Folder 2

1985

Box 13, Folder 1

1986

Box 13, Folder 2

1987

 

Series V: Audio Visual Material, 1977-1996

Digital Folder

LA Autism Society Part 1

Digital Folder

LA Autism Society Part 2

Digital Folder

National Society for Autistic Children, Los Angeles. First Telethon (audio only) Part 1, 1977

Digital Folder

National Society for Autistic Children, Los Angeles. First Telethon Part 2, 1977

Digital Folder

National Society for Autistic Children, Los Angeles. First Telethon Part 3, 1977

Digital Folder

National Society for Autistic Children, Los Angeles. First Telethon Part 4, 1977

Digital Folder

National Society for Autistic Children, Los Angeles. First Telethon Part 5, 1977

Digital Folder

National Society for Autistic Children, Los Angeles. First Telethon Part 6, 1977

Digital Folder

National Society for Autistic Children, Los Angeles. First Telethon Part 7, 1977

Digital Folder

Person Centered Planning (Spanish)