Issues

Autism: Restoring Hope for Children and Families

Phil Angelides has unveiled a four-point initiative to confront autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) early in a child's life and to restore hope for autistic children - and the parents and families of children with autism.

Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders effect one in every 165 children born in the US.

But since Day One of his administration, Governor Schwarzenegger cut needed services for the disabled, including children with autism and other developmental disabilities. 

As Governor, Phil Angelides will be on the side of children and families, not powerful special interests. Phil Angelides' plan to restore hope for children with autism and their families will:

Expand early childhood diagnosis:

  • By fully funding Healthy Families, which means 800,000 uninsured children can be screened;
  • Working with physician groups on their Continuing Medical Education to strengthen physician skills at detecting autism;
  • Working to change insurance formulas so that doctors are adequately reimbursed for autism screening;
  • Improving curriculum for early childhood caregivers and educators.

Increase early intervention:

  • By setting a goal that every regional center will treat all parts of the ASD spectrum by the end of the first term;
  • Building on AB 2513 by Assemblymember Pavley to ensure that school districts throughout the state are up to date on the latest and best strategies for educating our children with autism.

Empower parents:

  • By working with special needs parent groups to expand awareness of early screening for all parents;
  • Exploring changes to the Ed Code to place a special needs parent as a voting member on the state's Special Education Local Planning Area boards;
  • By working with parents to ensure that the 80% of the autistic community that is under 17 years of age will continue to have critical services - geared toward the needs of adults - as their children reach adulthood;
  • Supporting community intervention training for all state public safety officials.

Expanding Research:

  • Supporting efforts to expand research so that the root causes of autism and cures are understood.
  • Expand state support for important research facilities like the MIND Institute.