Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr.

ROBERTS ANNOUNCES 7-BILL PACKAGE BOLSTERING STATE'S RESPONSE TO AUTISM
Measures Would Assist Adults with Autism, Increase Funding for Autism Programs, & Promote Awareness by Teachers, Emergency Workers

(TRENTON) -- Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. today announced that he is working on crafting a seven-bill package aimed at improving detection, treatment, and awareness of autism in New Jersey.

The legislative initiative comes roughly one week after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a study that found New Jersey to have the nation's highest reported rate of autism -- one of out of every 94 children. The national rate is one out of 150 children.

"While the reasons for New Jersey's high autism rates remain unclear, there is no getting around the fact that these new statistics are a wake-up call for action," said Roberts (D-Camden). "As good as the state's approach has been to autism, there is much more we should consider doing to help individuals with autism and their families."

Roberts said the autism package includes a couple measures that already have been introduced in the Legislature. He said these will be augmented with other bills being drafted for introduction in the coming weeks. He said the measures could be advanced during the next four months.

"There should be bipartisan support and bipartisan interest in turning as many of these bills into law as possible," said Roberts. "Autism may inflict boys more than girls, but there should be a universal resolve to ease the plight of families touched by this confounding affliction."

The bills in the Assembly package would do the following:

Establish a centralized state-wide autism registry
Train teachers in autism awareness
Create a task force on adult autism
Require autism awareness training for emergency personnel
Provide additional funding for the Governor's Council on Autism
Instruct physicians in early detection
Restructure the Governor's Council on Autism

Roberts said a broad coalition of lawmakers concerned about autism already is uniting to sponsor and advance the measures. Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) will introduce the package in the Senate. Roberts said Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Joan Voss (both D-Bergen) and Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex) are among lawmakers joining in sponsoring the Assembly measures. Roberts also commended Senator Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth) for her strong voice of advocacy on autism.

The Speaker said he started working on crafting an autism package last year when The Record of the Hackensack published a six-day series called "In Autism's Grip" that cited the state's high autism incidence rates and the plight of families affected by autism.

The cause of autism remains unknown. It is a disorder that impairs the central nervous system, compromising an individual's ability to listen, speak, and form social relationships. The condition often is marked with highly focused, repetitive behavior.

Roberts said the autism package would complement and fortify the state's existing network of support and services for children and adults with autism. According to The Record, New Jersey already is a national leader in helping families affected by autism. He said it is crucial that the package deal with adults and children, especially since the swelling numbers of children diagnosed with autism since 1991 will begin aging out of the education system in the next several years.

"An upsurge in adults classified with autism is going to present new challenges for the state and our communities," said Roberts. "We must do all that we can to provide developmentally disabled adults with support, which means assisted living, medical care and giving their families a helping hand. Autism is a lifelong condition and requires lifelong services and care. We have a responsibility to help autistic New Jerseyans and their families."

-- An outline explaining the autism package is attached --

Assembly's Seven-Bill Autism Plan

Early Detection
PROBLEM:
Estimates differ on the prevalence of autism. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates as many as one out of every 166 children is autistic. The National Institute of Mental Health gives a more conservative estimate of one in 1000. In the absence of leadership on the federal level, the State should take more proactive steps to help get a grasp on the problem.

The earlier autism is detected, the better the chances of that autistic child developing into an adult who can function in society.

Autism detection currently focuses on the classroom and other educational environments. However, autism can be detected much earlier.

GOAL: To detect autism within the first 36 months of an autistic child's life.

METHOD:
Require pediatricians in the State to be trained in autism detection. This training should be developed by DHSS in consultation with the Governor's Council on Autism and advocacy groups. Models for such screening should include:

Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics; and

The Psychological Development Questionnaire for Toddlers (PDQ-1) currently being used by UMDNJ Center on Autism in Essex and Union Counties.

Ensure the parents of potentially autistic children are directed to the Early Intervention Program at DHSS.

Autism Registry
PROBLEM: Though the soon to be released CDC autism study illustrated the prevalence of autism in the State, the study used a sample size of four counties (Essex, Hudson, Ocean and Union). Autism statistics in the rest of the State remain scattered and decentralized.

GOAL: To have one centralized statewide autism registry. This registry would assist researchers in developing an idea of the problem as well ass assist the State in planning ways to provide assistance to families of the autistic.

METHOD: A-2306 (McKeon) establishes such a registry within DHSS. Pediatricians and psychologists would report all cases of autism they come across to DHSS for incorporation. Steps will be taken to protect the confidentiality of those who seek it.

Autism in the Classroom
PROBLEM: Greater demand for special education has combined with budget constraints and under funding of IDEA from the federal government to create a situation where mildly autistic students are staying in non-special education classes.

GOAL: To ensure non-special education teachers are familiar with autism, the attention it needs and how to properly deal with autistic students in the classroom environment.

METHOD: Require all teachers, as a condition of their certification, to receive training in autism awareness. Such training should be developed by the Department of Education, in consultation with DHSS, advocacy groups and the Governor's Council on Autism.

Autistic Adults
PROBLEM: As recently illustrated by COSAC, autistic adults are presented with various challenges in life. Unfortunately, much of the focus on autism is on education and development. However, autistic people must be prepared with certain life skills (e.g., job training and placement, housing, long-term care).

GOAL: To develop achievable goals for the State government in serving the autistic adult community.

METHOD: Establish the Adults with Autism Task Force. This task force would be charged with the duty of developing a comprehensive plan to address the needs of autistic adults. Membership would include representatives from:

Advocacy Groups
COSAC
Cure Autism Now (CAN)
National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)

Government representatives
Governor's Council on Autism
Department of Labor
Department of Human Services
Department of Health and Senior Services
Department of Education
Emergency Personnel Training

PROBLEM: Emergency personnel (police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians) by virtue of their duties are 6-7 more likely to interact with an individual with autism. If they are unaware of the signs of autism, this interaction could prove problematic.

GOAL: To increase autism awareness and recognition of signs of autism for emergency personnel.

METHOD: Include in the required training of these emergency personnel autism awareness training. Such training could be developed in consultation with advocacy groups, or could be one of the first tasks of the Adults with Autism Task Force.

Research Grants
PROBLEM: The Governor's Council on Autism is charged with disseminating grant funding. Such funding include:
Scientific grants to assist in finding cures and provide for better diagnoses;
Clinical enhancement grants to health care institutions for better treatment of autism;
Educational enhancement grants to non-profits and schools; and
Mentor based programs to recruit doctors and other professionals to the field of autism research and/or treatment.

The council annually disseminates approximately $4 million generated through a $1 surcharge on traffic tickets. The council estimates they are only able to fulfill about half of the grant request they receive.

GOAL: Provide an additional $4 million annually to the council for grants.

METHOD: An annual appropriation of $4 million to the council.

Restructure the Governor's Council on Autism
PROBLEM: The make-up of the council is archaic, having seats designated for organizations that no longer exist. Moreover, currently three of the seven designated seats all come from the same organization (UMDNJ).

GOAL: To have a more diverse council that would allow different opinions to be heard and considered.

METHOD: S-698 (Weinberg) would:
Add two new seats to the council, one of whom is autistic;
Limit UMDNJ's designated seat to one person; and
Allow the council to selects the Chair.
Speaker Roberts intends on introducing an Assembly version of this bill.

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FOR RELEASE:
February 14, 2007
CONTACT:
Speaker Roberts
(856) 742-7600
Press Office
Joe Donnelly
(609) 292-7065