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Alabama Autism Task Force

By Holly Ames

The Alabama Autism Task Force Comes to South Alabama Alabama Autism Task Force

Published: Tue, October 09, 2007 - 2:40 pm Last Updated: Tue, October 09, 2007 - 4:03 pm

The number of children diagnosed with autism continues to climb in the U.S. It seems Alabama is "behind the curve" when it comes to addressing the issue. There's a move to change that through the Alabama State Legislature through the Alabama Autism Task Force. The effort is encouraging news for local parents who have been leading awareness campaigns of their own.

Cindy Fulford has 3 young boys. Two of them have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cindy is the co-founder of the South Alabama Autism Society. During the Alabama Autism Task Force meeting in Spanish Fort. She had a chance to talk about her group's awareness efforts for parents and educators.

Cindy Fulford of the South Alabama Autism Society addressed the audience of about 100 people at the 5 Rivers Delta Conference Center in Spanish Fort. "We're just going to have continuing education credits for a small amount so our teachers can stay here and learn about our children, or learn about Autism."

According to state lawmakers there is much to be learned. Representative Cam Ward of District 49 told the group, "At this time, the number one lawsuit against the board of education in the state of Alabama are from those parents who have children suffering from Autism."

Ward says the schools aren't able to provide adequate services and he says it's the state's job to provide more funding to tackle the problem.

State Representative Randy Davis of District 96 agrees. "We're ill prepared to deal with it in the legislature as far as funding and knowledge and then in our local schools, finding the things that work to make it a possibility for these children to function and at a greater ability."

The task force has held more than a dozen meetings around the state. Members of the group are gathering information from local leaders, physicians, educators and parents to determine what needs to be done. Leaders of this effort agree that awareness has to be the root of the change. The public must be aware that Autism is a major public health problem.

Representative Randy Davis says, "Awareness absolutely is key, but we're looking at 1 out of every 150 births we're having an autistic child so it's really a phenomenon that we're dealing with and how rapidly this particular issue is rising to the top."

These hearing will help lawmakers define what's needed in terms of health care, early detection, education and support for families. They will then present the findings to the Governor and the Legislature for the 2008 Regular Session.