Legislative Update

By AMY LORENTZEN, Associated Press Writer

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday pledged to help autistic families by boosting funding for research and education to $700 million a year.

"Driven by their love and devotion, mothers and fathers across the country have raised awareness, demanded funding, and opened our eyes to the needs of so many children," she told a crowd of hundreds gathered at the Jesse E. Marshall Boys Club of Sioux City. "It's up to us to reclaim the future for our children, and ensure that every child can live up to his or her God-given potential."

She said when it comes to autism, "we don't know how to cure it, and we don't even know the best ways to treat it."

"I think it's time we had a government and a president who recognized the seriousness of autism and addressed it head-on," Clinton said.

The number of autism diagnoses has risen from one in 10,000 in 1993, to one in 150 in 2007 - or about 25,000 children diagnosed with autism each year, Clinton said. She called the disorder a national health crisis, saying it costs the nation at least $35 billion each year.

Clinton outlined her years helping children with autism, including co-sponsoring legislation called the Combating Autism Act in 2006, and earlier this year the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act. She criticized President Bush for refusing to fully fund such efforts.

If she's elected, Clinton said she would also take other autism initiatives including:

* Expanding research to identify the causes of autism, including potential environmental reasons.

* Improving education and early detection and intervention, including creating a task force to investigate autism treatments and services.

* Training for teachers to instruct children with autism.

Lee Grossman, president and CEO of the Autism Society of America, said the investment America makes in early identification, services and support "will create opportunities for these individuals to contribute meaningfully in our society - as is their right."

"Senator Clinton's plan is a very important step in that direction," Grossman said in a statement provided by Clinton's campaign.

Clinton used the opportunity to talk about health care. She said families dealing with conditions such as autism find that "often times insurance is so expensive you can't afford it, or the insurance doesn't cover the very thing you need it for."

The universal health care plan she's proposed would help all families, including those dealing with autism, to afford quality health care - as good as what members of Congress are getting, she said.

"Parents will no longer be burdened by unmanageable premiums just because their children have autism," Clinton said.

Lois Rosenwald
Executive Director
ASRC
203-265-7717 Phone
203-265-7768 Fax

The state of services in Connecticut for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (18 and older) is deplorable, and as most of you know, ASRC has taken the lead in changing this situation. Connecticut is only 1 of 3 states in the nation without services for adults with ASD without Mental Retardation. That means the majority of our ASD adults are without any appropriate services once they graduate from high school or college. For over 8 years, we have been advocating for services for our adults - making painfully slow progress. This past legislative session, we got two bills introduced. One bill was for a Pilot Program for those with Developmental Disabilities without Mental Retardation, and the second was for a Medicaid Waiver for the same population. Although we didn't get either, what we got was $250,000 (possibly more) that was allocated to the Department of Mental Retardation budget for Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is my understanding they will use this funding to set up infra-structure, and develop training to get our community providers better up to speed on this diagnosis. They will also start work towards a Medicaid Waiver. Although we were disappointed we didn't get the bills through, we feel this is a good first step towards a better future for our adults and families.

We have also started talking with the Governor's staff. We were told the Governor would be making an announcement, and that she was establishing a working Task Force to help hasten the process of getting services in place. As of today, she has not made that announcement, and we are still waiting. Our hopes are that we can meet with her and get her administration on board with this issue.

We have also started to look at whether we have a case for a class action suit. We ask you all to be ready this year as the session opens. We will be asking you to participate in a rally, to go to legislative hearings, to write to the governor and your legislators, and maybe even host a legislative coffee. This effort will take all of us working together to make it happen. Our thanks to all that worked with us this year. You truly helped to make a difference for your child/friend/family member/neighbor/student or patient. We will continue to keep you updated on this most important effort.

Lois Rosenwald
Co-Director
ASRC