The Autism Buzz Word

Salvatore Pizzuto—”disability policy specialist, learning consultant, transition specialist and parent/family advocate from East Rutherford”—writes in the June 26th Leader “(the Pulse of the Meadowlands)”:

Autism has become a buzz word in New Jersey that transcends other disabilities that affect children and adults, in terms of its diagnostic and political impact. Over the past two years, several New Jersey State legislators, including Gary Schaer and Joe Roberts, have introduced legislation designed to improve services for children with autism.

Pizzuto then reviews Tereance D. v. School District of Philadelphia, on which a decision was issued by the U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania in February 2008:

….the court held that a child with autism was misdiagnosed as mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed, thus depriving the child of appropriate FAPE (Free and Appropriate Education) for a period of years. Furthermore, the parent was not made aware of her son’s rights to autism services, extended school year services and details about such services.

New Jersey has the highest prevalence rate for autism—1 in 94—-in the US and a number of pieces of autism legislation have passed. It’s been posited that a high level of awareness and understanding—-along with a number of autism professionals and schools dedicated to autistic children—-are behind that high prevalence rate; the case that Pizzuto refers to bears noting, as it hinges around the issue of proper diagnosis, and the services that a child can get, or not get, with it—–whether you’re in Jersey or Alaska or Missouri (which is creating a statewide commission on autism), or in Australia (where a $190 million autism package has been announced).

Autism’s the buzz word now—-but will it always be?