ROBERTS URGES DHHS TO UTILIZE AUTISM GUIDELINES OF AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today urged the state Department of Health and Senior Services to utilize newly released guidelines from the country's leading pediatricians' organization in crafting regulations to uniformly screen New Jersey infants and toddlers for the early warning signs of autism.

One of the measures (A-4056) in the sweeping autism legislative package that Roberts steered into law this year directs the DHSS to provide a seamless system for detecting children with autism and referring them for appropriate treatment and classification.  Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the measure into law on Sept. 12.

The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday issued a comprehensive report -"Identification and Evaluation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders" -- listing numerous early-warning signs to help both doctors, other health professionals and even parents spot the troubling developmental disorder sooner.

In a letter to DHSS Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, Roberts commended the pediatricians group for focusing on autism and urged the department to use the pediatricians' "red flags" for identifying autistic children.
<br>"Although there is no known cure for autism, early detection can prove invaluable in treating an autistic child and minimizing the disorder," Roberts (D-Camden) wrote in his letter.

Roberts began crafting his autism legislative package last year following a six-day series published by The Record of Hackensack called "In Autism's Grip."  The series took an in-depth look at the state's high autism incidence rates and the plight of families that have autistic loved ones. 

The package gained added significance after Roberts unveiled it in February on the heels of a groundbreaking study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found New Jersey to have the nation's highest reported rate of autism - one of out of every 94 children.  The national rate is one out of 150 children.

- A Copy of Roberts' Letter Is Attached -

October 29, 2007

Fred Jacobs, Commissioner
Department of Health and Senior Services
John Fitch Plaza
P.O. Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

Dear Commissioner Jacobs:

As you know, on September 12, 2007 the Governor signed legislation (P.L.
2007, c.172) requiring the Department of Health and Senior Services
(DHSS) to develop guidelines for health care professionals in
evaluating infants and toddlers for autism.  As you develop these
guidelines, I want to call your attention to efforts being made by the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to better inform pediatricians of
symptoms of autism.

On October 29, the AAP released "Identification and Evaluation of
Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders."  This report provides
detailed information on signs, symptoms and various "red flags"
pediatricians should be aware of in assessing autistic tendencies in their patients.
Such signs include being unresponsive to audible signals, avoiding eye
contact, singular focus on an object and a lack of baby "babble."

I am pleased to see the AAP focusing on such an important issue as
autism.  Though there is no known cure for autism, early detection can
prove invaluable in treating an autistic child and minimizing the
disorder.  In crafting the guidelines required by P.L. 2007, c.172, it
would seem appropriate to consult those being promulgated by the AAP.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Sincerely,

Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., Speaker   
New Jersey General Assembly