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Lawmakers Unveil Legislative Effort on Autism Posted By: 4muskateers
Posted On: 04/02/2008
April is Autism Awareness Month!!




Lawmakers Unveil Legislative Effort on Autism

Package of bills crafted based on California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism report



SACRAMENTO - Lawmakers today unveiled a comprehensive legislative package of eight bills to combat the rise in diagnoses of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in California. The bills were inspired by a report issued by the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.



"This Commission was charged with providing real solutions and recommendations to improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families," said Senate pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland), who authored the resolution that created the commission (SCR 51, 2005).



The Commission consists of health experts, family members, business leaders, educators and researchers and is chaired by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).



"The rise of child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder affects families, schools and communities all over California," Steinberg said. "Today this Legislature is responding strongly to the challenges this disorder poses to the state."



After conducting extensive public hearings and town-hall meetings throughout California, the Commission submitted its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature in its report: An Opportunity to Achieve Real Change for Californians with Autism Spectrum Disorders; September 2007. You can read the report at: http://senweb03.senate.ca.gov/autism/index.html



"With the broad participation of parents, families, consumers, educators, clinicians, researchers and advocates the Commission's report provides a momentous step in forging new directions for real change," said Dr. Barbara Firestone, Commission Vice-Chair and President & CEO of The Help Group.



The Autism legislative package includes the following bills:



SB 1563 (Sen. Perata) to provide appropriate and equitable coverage for ASD by private health plans and insurers
SB 527 (Sen. Steinberg) to improve the early identification and intervention for young children with ASD
SB 1175 (Sen. Steinberg) to expand the housing and independent living opportunities for adults with ASD
SB 1475 (Sen. Tom Torlakson) to improve the coordination of ASD services and programs between regional centers and school districts for children from birth to five years of age
SB 1364 (Sen. Gil Cedillo) to improve community awareness and outreach efforts on ASD by the California Department of Public Health
SB 1531 (Sen. Lou Correa) to improve the training and knowledge of ASD among law enforcement officers
AB 2303 (Assembly Speaker-Elect Karen Bass) to expand the credentials that would qualify teachers to educate students with ASD
AB 1872 (Asm. Joe Coto) to establish a state clearinghouse for the education of students with ASD.


The Autism Legislative Package is supported by numerous families and stakeholders such as actor Gary Cole, the parent of a child with ASD.



"The Autism Commission has not only garnered enthusiastic support from stakeholders and autism organizations, but today's California autism legislative package brings real hope into the lives of individuals and families coping with autism throughout our state and nation," said Cole.



Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), commonly referred to as autism, are brain based developmental disabilities characterized by language/communication problems, impaired social interaction and repetitive rigid behaviors and interests. Once considered rare, autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability and is more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and pediatric AIDS combined.



Autism now affects 1 in every 150 children in the United States; every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed. Autism is four times more common in boys than girls and occurs in children of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Nationally, the diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis. The economic impact of autism is estimated to exceed $90 billion annually.
       
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