Helps Children Receive Quality Care
City Council Member Mark Weprin joined colleagues, autism service providers and families of children with autism on the steps of City Hall to urge the continuation and expansion of the City Council Autism Initiative, which provides autism services to children and families.
“We are seeing a rise in the number of children being diagnosed with some form of autism as they get older, and recent studies indicate that two million children in America have developed autism spectrum disorder. This means parents are more aware, and we need to ensure that families receive quality care and services,” said Weprin.
The City Council Autism Initiative provides social and recreational services that create a safe haven for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. These services give caretakers peace of mind when they go to work with the knowledge that their children are protected and receiving appropriate care.
“As a member of the City Council’s Health Committee, I am very concerned about the current lack of accessibility to resources that parents and children living with autism face; I am proud to support the Autism Initiative and look forward to working with my colleagues in government to secure funding for it. By doing so, we will enable countless families to have the additional support they need for medical costs, behavioral intervention and other essential resources,” added City Council Member Julissa Ferreras.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition to medical costs, intensive behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder cost $40,000 to $60,000 per child per year. Quality resources for the autism community are often inaccessible; budgets have been slashed, service providers are stretched beyond capacity, and the route to actually getting the appropriate services is too often a protracted battle.
Autism awareness leads to early intervention, which increases the likelihood that children will receive the proper services.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to improve the lives of people living with autism spectrum disorders and their families by supporting and funding these vital programs and services,” Weprin concluded.
