Opinions and Letters

Marcia Eichelberger President Autism Society of America Santa Barbara Chapter

April 10, 2009 7:58 AM

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and according to the CDC, one in every 150 children born in the U.S. will be diagnosed with autism; one in every 94 boys.

The California Department of Developmental Services reports there are more than 36,900 people with autism statewide, 29,800 of them children. California adds two new cases of autism every day.

While frightening, these numbers are no surprise to California's autism parent leaders. We've warned politicians, school districts, regional centers, doctors and other public agencies for years that the number of children with autism is rising dramatically, and these kids will be arriving at their doorsteps in droves.

This influx of children has arrived, and appropriate services and supports are scarce, in some cases, nonexistent. No long-range master plan has been developed to fund effective services to meet either the immediate needs of our kids, or their long-term needs once they reach adulthood.

We must step up our commitment to provide effective, evidence-based interventions for people with autism. It is time for every parent and agency that serves children to unite to find ways to serve them appropriately.

Autism Society of America Santa Barbara Chapter is the primary resource for individuals and families providing support to those affected by autism and related disabilities countywide.