Higher Autism rate in Massachusetts cited in push for more funding.
State House News Service
STATE HOUSE, APRIL 30, 2007…….The number of children diagnosed with autism in Massachusetts is growing at a faster pace than the national average, and parents, advocates and professionals today asked legislators to increase funding for more state services to help children and adults with autism.
According to the Advocates for Autism Massachusetts (AFAM), one in every 122 children in the state is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) while the national average is one in every 150 children. This year, more children have been diagnosed with autism than AIDS, cancer and diabetes combined, according to the group.
ASD is a developmental disorder that affects people’s communication, social skills and response to surroundings.
Evelene Milorin brought her 35-year-old son, Reginald, to the stage here today to talk about his struggle in getting state support and a job to live more independently.
Her son at the age of 22 had finished school but could not get full employment in a dry cleaning store. Now her son is a jewelry maker and he lives on his own with assistance.
Fourteen years ago, when she came to the State House to talk to legislators about more services, she was alone, Milorin recalled. She told the crowd that filled Great Hall today to keep advocating for more services to children and adults with autism.
“Today I have mixed emotions of joy and sadness on how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go,” said Milorin.
Milorin said it is important to advocate for more respect, jobs, housing, fitness and recreational opportunities for all people with autism.
Senate President Therese Murray said most people know little about ASD and how much it affects parents. “We’ll strive to do what we can,” said Murray.
Speakers today called for an additional $5 million in the Department of Mental Retardation’s budget for family support services and bringing the Division of Autism funding to $5 million.
The sivision is two years old and needs more funding to expand services, former NFL star Doug Flutie told the News Service. Flutie, founder of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism Inc., has a 15-year-old son with autism.
He said his son’s developmental stage is of a 10-month-old baby. At today’s event, he identified his family story with speaker Amy Wenning, whose 14-year old brother, Cody, has a developmental level of a nine-month-old baby.
“Cody is my motivation every day,” said Wenning. “It is my hope and my mission to make sure Cody gets the care he deserves.”
Flutie said more state services are crucial to provide some relief to families and individuals directly impacted by autism.
“A lot more needs to be done,” he said. “A big group of kids are turning 20 and we’re going to need more legislative action to help them.”
Rep. Barbara L’Italien said right now she is the only legislator who has a child with ASD, but as the number of children diagnosed with ASD continues to grow, there will likely be more legislators with a similar situation.
L’Italien filed a bill that would increase funding for the Division of Autism to $5 million. The funding is necessary to try to expand services and successfully implement the Children’s Medicaid Waiver Program, according to AFAM. The program would provide qualified young children with ASD with intensive in-home services and the state would be reimbursed 50 percent of the total costs.
L’Italien presented two awards to Sen. Michael Morrissey (D-Quincy) and Rep. Tom Sannicandro for their efforts in advocating for children’s health and more services to help families and individuals with ASD.
Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby said she has two nephews, ages 4 and 30, who have autism. She said while the 30-year-old was only diagnosed when he was 12 and now is severely disabled, her younger nephew has benefited greatly from early intervention programs.
“We must do more to ensure everyone with autism gets the services they need,” she said.
