TEACHERS TO ASSIST IN AUTISM AWARENESS EFFORTS
UNDER NEW LAW BY WHELAN, VAINIERI HUTTLE, VOSS

(WEST WINDSOR) - Legislation Assembly members Jim Whelan, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, and Joan Voss sponsored to promote autism awareness in the state's education community was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.

The measure (A-4055)  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.  The Governor signed elements of the package into law at the Eden Institute, a non-profit autism service agency in Mercer County.

The new law directs the state Department of Education to recommend strategies for instructing prospective teachers about autism awareness and methods for teaching students with autism.  DOE also is to examine ways to incorporate autism awareness and instruction methods into in-service and other training opportunities for current teachers and paraprofessionals.

"In a state with high autism rates, it's imperative that educators have the tools to recognize autism and help children with this confounding disorder," said Assemblyman Whelan (D-Atlantic), a veteran teacher with a master's in education. "Teachers are an untapped resource in this state's growing efforts to help children and adults with autism."

Under the law, the DOE is to make its autism instruction recommendations to the State Board of Education.  Colleges and universities that offer teacher certification courses are required to incorporate the resulting recommendations into course curriculum by the 2008-09 school year.

"It is vital that the teaching community is better equipped to address the needs of all students," said Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle (D-Englewood). "Teachers inherently care about children and this will enable more and more of our teachers to have a firm understanding of what autism is and the special needs of autistic children."

"Giving educators the tools to help identify the signs of autism will benefit both students and teachers," said Assemblywoman Voss (D-Bergen). "Teachers not only will be better equipped to assist students with autism, but they also will receive training to help promote understanding among all children about autism."The autism legislative package was announced shortly after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new study that identified New Jersey as having the nation's highest reported rate of autism - one out of 94 children.

The legislative sponsors said the new law will enable New Jersey to build upon its reputation for having one of the nation's best service and care networks for individuals and families confronting autism spectrum disorders.
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