Zupkus Recognizes Autism Awareness Day at the State Capitol
HARTFORD- State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) joined fellow lawmakers and advocates at a ceremony for Autism Awareness Day at the State Capitol, Wednesday April 17th to promote Autism Awareness throughout Connecticut.
“It is crucial that parents and caregivers continue to be a loud and pro-active voice for their loved ones with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” said Rep. Zupkus. “Advocacy and raising awareness are key ways to gain access to necessary resources and provide assistance and support to those most vulnerable and in need.”
The ceremony included legislators, advocates and parents and individuals affected by Autism, all meeting to provide support and promote acceptance.
With National Autism Awareness Month being in April the ceremony was held to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism and developmental disabilities.
Today’s program: Conquering the Cliff: The Journey Into Adulthood is looking at developing supports and service models to meet the needs of individuals with autism are entering the adult world for service providers and families as the adult population increases each year.
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that affects one’s ability to communicate and relate to others. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe, and this range has been called Autism Spectrum Disorder which covers not only Autism, but Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS.
In 2015, Zupkus voted to establish Bill of Rights for Students with Autism which gives parents of children who receive special education in Connecticut, a bill of rights outlining educational and transitional services available to them.
Beginning in 2015, the state Department of Social Services is expanding its coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) evaluation and treatment services for Medicaid enrolled members (HUSKY A, C, or D) under the age of 21 for whom ASD services are medically necessary.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 59 in multiple communities in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.