Autism

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE CLEARS BILL TO CREATE AN ADVOCATE FOR AUTISTIC NEW JERSEYANS

Part of Second Wave of Autism Support Measures Would Establish the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Autism

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today released legislation Assembly members Joan Voss, Vincent Prieto and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. sponsored to establish an Office of the Advocate for Persons with Autism (OAPA).

WASHINGTON – Today, on United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) voiced his continuing support for families affected by autism spectrum disorders and efforts to find a cause and cure for them. He also announced his intention to introduce legislation to support these families and individuals. Senator Menendez, whose home state has the highest rate of autism in the nation, said he plans to formally introduce the legislation later this month, which is Autism Awareness Month.

ROBERTS TOURS NEW JERSEY AUTISM TREATMENT FACILITY
AS PART OF EFFORT TO INCREASE AUTISM AWARENESS
Speaker Tours New Jersey Children’s Specialized Hospital,
State’s Largest Autism Treatment Facility

(TOMS RIVER) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., today toured the Toms River branch of the New Jersey Children’s Specialized Hospital – the state’s largest collection of autism treatment facilities – as part of his ongoing efforts to increase awareness of this troubling developmental disorder.

ROBERTS TOUR OF BERGEN FACILITY HIGHLIGHTS NEEDS OF AUTISTIC ADULTS
Speaker Presented with First Copy of Training Manual Designed
To Help Employers Hire Autistic Adults, Provide Means for Lifetime Independence

(PARAMUS) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., today toured a Bergen County facility dedicated to helping individuals with autism spectrum disorders live independent lives, where he was presented with a signed copy of an innovative training manual created to help companies employ individuals with autism.

SCHAER GIVEN DISTINCTION OF “CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN” BY AMERIGROUP

Foundation provides grant funding to Three Groups Advocating for Better Lives for Those with Disabilities

(LYNDHURST) -- Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer (D-Passaic) yesterday was selected as the 2007 Champion for Children at a ceremony at Volunteer Stadium in Lyndhurst for his advocacy in the New Jersey General Assembly on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The award is given each year by the AMERIGROUP Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AMERIGROUP Corporation, a managed healthcare company providing healthcare coverage through the NJ FamilyCare program.

 

MCKEON BILL CREATING STATE AUTISM REGISTRY
SIGNED INTO LAW

Measure Would Create Centralized System to Assist State
In Helping Children & Adults with Autism
 
(WEST WINDSOR) - The Governor today signed into law legislation Assemblyman John F. McKeon sponsored to create a statewide centralized autism registry to identify the scope of autism in New Jersey so the state can provide better services and care for children and adults with autism and their families.

ROBERTS RESPONSE TO RISING AUTISM RATES BECOMES LAW

Key Elements from Sweeping Package of Bills Will Improve Detection, Treatment, Public Awareness of Autism in New Jersey

(WEST WINDSOR) - A series of legislative measures that Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. steered through the Legislature in an effort to improve the detection, treatment and awareness of autism in New Jersey was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.

KARCHER AUTISM BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW

New Laws Significantly Improve Services For Individuals With Autism  

            WEST WINDSOR –Six autism related bills sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher, a leading advocate for disability awareness issues, were signed into law today. 

            “A diagnosis of autism or developmental disability presents real challenges for parents and caregivers,” said Karcher.  “While the medical community seeks to find answers to the causes of autism and developmental disability, states have an obligation to promote programs which help those living with the disability.  These new lifesaving laws will help families deal with the hardships of caring for individuals with autism.”

TRENTON – A bill package sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner, designed to increase and improve available resources for families and individuals living with Autism was signed into law today by Governor Jon Corzine.