Autism "Epidemic" Growing Say State Officials and Advocates

Advocates and state officials and other experts agree that the numbers of children and adults diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder has reached "epidemic" proportions in California and across the nation.  In California, it is estimated that there are 187,000 Californians with autism spectrum disorder. The 21 non-profit regional centers contracted by the Department of Developmental Services to fund and coordinate community-based services to over 230,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities,  serve within that number, over 37,000 children and adults with autism, adding  and estimated 11 new cases every day.

 

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

 

State and national policymakers and advocates say that 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. 

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis. 

 

Autism Crisis Huge Impact On Minority Communities

Every population segment of California is impacted by the growing numbers of children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, including rising numbers in Asian Pacific Islander, Latino and African American communities. 

 

Albert Wang of Fremont, a parent of a child with autism and member of the Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism, which recommended this and 8 other bills in a package of bills to address the growing autism crisis, previously testified in strong support for the bill before the Senate Health Committee in April, and said the need for this bill was urgent for tens of thousands of families across California. 

 

Wang also urged support of the bill in a Asian Pacific Islander disability, mental health and senior advocacy session organized by CDCAN (California Disability Community Action Network) at the recent 4th Annual Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit held in Sacramento and sponsored by the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. 

 

Autism Commission Report Found Health Services Limited

The Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism was created by the California Legislature in 2005 without a single dissenting vote by legislation, SCR 51, authored by Sen. Perata (SCR 55 also by Perata, approved in September 2007, extended the life of the Commission up to November 30, 2008).  The Commission is composed of sixteen representing parents of children with autism, the public and private sector, educators, physicians, and public health officials.

 

After conducting extensive public hearings and town-hall meetings throughout California, the Commission submitted its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature in September 2007, with a report titled "An Opportunity to Achieve Real Change for Californians with Autism Spectrum Disorders"  You can read or download the 101 page report at the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us (also the executive summary of that report)

 

That report found that coverage of health care, behavioral, and psychotherapeutic services for Autism Spectrum Disorder is limited, inconsistent, or excluded altogether, by private health plans and insurers. 

 

The  report also found that:

* When health plans and insurers contract for behavioral services, there is often fragmentation, denial of services - or both - leaving  families with no services or long delays in services that nearly all experts agree have enormous consequences on a child with autism. 

* Health plans and insurers do not consistently provide access to professionals with adequate  training and expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorder

* Roles and responsibilities of health plans and insurers for Autism Spectrum Disorder services are not well defined. 

* Denials of services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder by health plans were often inconsistent with current scientific evidence as well as with the standards and approaches applied to other illnesses and medical conditions.

 

SB 1563 One of 8 Bills That Resulted From Autism Commission Report

 

* AB 1872 (Coto) to establish a state clearinghouse for the education of students with autism.

* AB 2302 (Bass) to expand the credentials that would qualify teachers to educate students with autism.

* SB 527 (Steinberg) to improve the early identification and intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder

* SB 1175 (Steinberg) to expand the housing and independent living opportunities for adults with autism

* SB 1364 (Cedillo) to improve community awareness and outreach efforts on ASD by the California Department of Public Health

* SB 1475 (Torlakson) to improve the coordination of autism spectrum disorder services and programs between regional centers and school districts for children from birth to five years of age

* SB 1531 (Correa) to improve the training and knowledge of autism spectrum disorder among law enforcement officers

* SB 1563 (Perata) to provide appropriate and equitable coverage for autism spectrum disorder by private health plans and insurers

 

“The increase in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders affects families, schools and communities all over California,” Sen. Darrell Steinberg (Democrat - Sacramento, 6th District), who chairs the Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism, said at the time the package of bills were announced on April 2,  adding that "...this Legislature is responding strongly to the challenges this disorder poses to the state.”

 

CDCAN SUMMARY OF BILLS DIRECTLY IMPACTING PEOPLE WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER