Alabama leaders push for autism task force

3/20/2007, 5:32 p.m. ET The Associated Press

 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Two state officials who have family experience with autism are trying to set up a state task force to recommend ways to improve services and funding.

State Rep. Cam Ward, who has a child with autism, said as many as one in 150 children in the United States have autism. "With any other disorder or disease, this would be considered an epidemic," Ward, R-Alabaster, said at a news conference Tuesday to promote the formation of a task force.

Ward got the House to pass a resolution March 8 to set up a task force of state officials, educators, the medical community and others to recommend ways to improve the treatment of autism in Alabama. Ward's resolution is pending in the Senate, where Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. predicted it will pass easily.

Folsom, the uncle of an autistic child, said the resources and procedures for autism aren't available like they are for cerebral palsy or cancer. "That's why it's important we put the full force of the Alabama Legislature behind this," he said.

State Mental Health Commissioner John Houston said there are good programs in some areas, but not statewide. "In most regards, there is not much of anything going on," he said.

Several families with autistic children attended the news conference.

"We're hoping this is not a gold thread we are holding on to," Heather Colson of Saraland said.

"I don't think so," Folsom said. "This was a very important, sincere meeting today."

If Ward's resolution passes the Senate and is signed by the governor, the task force would present its recommendations to the Legislature early next year.