City Council Provides $3 M To Aid Autistic Children, Families
BY JOHN TOSCANO

Alarmed that disorders on the autism spectrum have reached epidemic proportions, City Councilmember David Weprin announced a two-part $3 million City Council initiative last week to help deal with this serious problem.

Weprin said at a City Hall press conference jammed with colleagues and advocates offering their support, that a recent report by the federal Centers for Disease Control found that one in every 150 children is now born with autism.

(According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, autism is defined as: "A mental disorder originating in infancy that is characterized by inability to interact socially, repetitive behavior and language disorder."

Last year, Weprin said, NYC public schools enrolled a staggering 5,627 autistic children, a 72 percent increase from the 3,278 autistic children enrolled in December 2001.

Weprin stated, "Autism is a growing epidemic that affects children across the entire city. This initiative will be a good first step by the council in addressing the needs of autistic children and bringing awareness to all New Yorkers of the epidemic proportions that autism has reached.

"While we cannot offer autistic children and their families a cure for the disorder, with this initiative we can ensure that they can enjoy a better quality of life by providing them with year-round services that support their educational and social needs."

Under the council's $3 million initiative, $1.5 million will be evenly divided among all 51 council districts to provide wrap-around services to autistic children in after school or summer programs based on criteria established by nationally respected autism organizations and the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).

Also under the initiative, an equal amount of $1.5 million will also be evenly divided among all 51 council districts to hold informational forums and training seminars advising communities of this epidemic, Weprin said. Equally important, he added, training and education will be provided on identifying signs and techniques parents might use at home to best address their children's needs.

Councilmember Hiram Monserrate (D- Corona), the parent of an autistic child, stated at the press conference:

"I know that every day is a race against time to receive the services that can shape the rest of your child's life. I am proud to stand here today to call for the city to fund a progressive and comprehensive program that delivers services to parents and children in their own neighborhoods.

"This citywide initiative recognizes the realities of autism: that it is growing, that it can affect anyone, anywhere, and that no family should have to waste valuable time because of lack of accessible, affordable services."

Another Queens lawmaker present at Weprin's press conference, Councilmember James Gennaro (D- Fresh Meadows) commented: "Autism affects large portions of our communities. We need to do whatever we can to support the families touched by this devastating disease. I thank Councilmember Weprin for spearheading this initiative and the opportunity to back efforts to improve the quality of life of all those impacted by autism."

Among the autism advocate organizations present for the announcement were the UJA Federation of New York, Autism Speaks, Lifespire; Life's WORC, New York Center for Autism, Quality Services for the Autistic Community and N.Y. Families for Autistic Children.