Assembly members Conaway, Panter, Huttle & Greenwald Bill Providing Intervention For Autisitc Children Is Signed Into Law

CONAWAY/PANTER/HUTTLE/GREENWALD BILL PROVIDING EARLY INTERVENTION FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN IS SIGNED INTO LAW

(WEST WINDSOR) - Legislation Assembly members Herb Conaway, M.D., Michael Panter, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Louis D. Greenwald sponsored to provide a seamless system for detecting children with autism and referring them for appropriate treatment and classification was signed into law today by the Governor.

The measure (A-4056) requires the Early Intervention Program in the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to develop guidelines for health care professionals to use in evaluating young children - from birth to three years old - for autism.  The guidelines are to include timely referrals of suspected autism cases to the Early Intervention Program so they can receive appropriate services as soon as possible."

The new law will better ensure that the parents of potentially autistic children get directed to agencies, organizations, and other programs specifically designed to meet the unique needs of children with autism

"Uniform guidelines for identifying signs of autism in children will enable the state's medical community to make early diagnoses and prompt referrals for infants and toddlers at the earliest stages of autism," said Assemblyman Conaway (D-Burlington, Camden), one of two physicians in the Legislature.  "For autistic children, early detection and timely referrals are key to ensuring proper, successful care."

DHSS personnel are to consult with experts, advocates and the state's autism services community in crafting the guidelines required under the new law.  Additionally, DHSS is to collect data on autism screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and systems statewide that can be used for applied research, program evaluation, and policy development.

The law also requires DHSS to disseminate information on the medical care of individuals with autism to health care professionals and the general public.

"Early detection of autism greatly improves the chances of a child developing into an adult who is prepared to function in society," said Assemblyman Panter (D-Monmouth/Mercer).  "This law will strengthen the statewide network of support and treatment for autistic children as well as their families."

"We need to give pediatricians and other health professionals the best tools possible to identify autism and help families cope with this disorder," said Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen).  "Aggressive early intervention in children with autism has been shown to reduce the severity of the disorder."

"Early intervention leads to better treatment," said Assemblyman Greenwald (D-Camden). "Since there is no cure for autism, early diagnosis and prompt referrals are the best tools we have to address this confounding disorder."

The law was part of a legislative package Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (D-Camden) crafted to improve New Jersey's response in the detection, treatment, and public awareness of autism.  Governor Jon S. Corzine signed a variety of bills from the package into law during a ceremony at the Eden Institute, a non-profit autism service agency in Mercer County.

Roberts championed the autism package after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study in February that identified New Jersey as having the nation's highest rate of autism - one of out of 94 children.

The CDC estimates that less than half of autistic children will be properly diagnosed before entering school. Some autistic characteristics will begin to manifest within the first three years of a child's life. If autism can be properly diagnosed in the early stages of development, most experts agree its effects can be minimized.
--30--