Autism Therapy Measure Awaits Rell's Signature

Connecticut families often have to fight insurers and school districts to get the therapies their autistic children need, and they often don't win.

[Shannon Knall]

I applaud state legislators for stepping up and passing this much needed and long overdue legislation. These bills are solid steps towards giving people with autism rights and opportunities others enjoy. I would like to thank Representative Cathy Abercrombie, Representative Brian O'Connor, Senator Joe Crisco and Senator Don Williams for their determination and perseverance in passing this legislation, even at the eleventh hour.
The unfortunate reality of autism, is that we as a society is so far behind in providing for this population. They have been ignored for so long that we are now playing catch-up. I encourage the legislature to continue to support upcoming autism initiatives as they are long overdue.

Shannon Knall
Simsbury Mom to a child with autism
Autism Speaks Advocacy Chair, Greater Hartford

[We need More Commissions]

The autism bill sounds like a good thing but in typical CT fashion is late compared to many other states.

And we need another commissions to improve "health equity"??? We have a budget deficit and we are creating more worthless bureaucracy??? I have to leave CT I am sick of being fleeced by the idiots in Hartford.

[Parent_of_Autist ic]

We need More Commissions wrote:

The autism bill sounds like a good thing but in typical CT fashion is late compared to many other states.
And we need another commissions to improve "health equity"??? We have a budget deficit and we are creating more worthless bureaucracy??? I have to leave CT I am sick of being fleeced by the idiots in Hartford.

You are right. This is a government that would fell a giant redwood because they need a single toothpick, and of course CT is late compared to other states--Ct takes most of its cues from other states.

If our idiotic state government wasn't so overly bloated and expensive, maybe I could afford to send him to a specialized school, rather than being compelled to attend our mediocre public school system. Even vouchers would be a help, but noooo. We "need" another commission. Yeah, that's exactly what we need.

[about time]

I work in a school system and see the need for these children to get services. The only way they will improve is therapy and lots of it. The schools cannot hire enough, OT, PT and speech personnel to service these children the way they ought to be.Plus, they should start with some sort of intervention as soon as it becomes apparent that there is an issue.
This needs to pass! and should have been done sooner!

[ASD Dad]

It is great that progress is being made, but it is important that advocacy and services not be restricted to a particular diagnosis or form of treatment. ALL children who are in need of speech, OT, PT, etc., should have access, not just those with the diagnosis of Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are other diagnosis where children have behaviours or deficiencies similar to those with autism, and passing disorder specific legislation is bad public policy. Treat the symptoms, not the disease.

In addition, we need to be careful not to specify one particular therapy to the exclusion of others. Applied Behavioral Analysis may be successful for some, but there are many other children for whom this is not an effective therapy, and alternatives such as RDI and others should also be covered. If we fall into the "ABA is best" trap, we then start following the one size fits all approach that is the anithesis to the idea that each child with ASD is unique and needs to have an individualized treatment program.