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Corzine Signs Seven Autism-Related Laws
By Richard | September 13, 2007
Maryland? Maryland??
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Gov. Corzine signs seven autism bills into law
Michael Rispoli | Asbury Park Press
WEST WINDSOR — A package of seven autism-related laws aimed at improving services and information in a state where the disorder is inordinately prevalent among children were signed Wednesday by Gov. Corzine.
The new laws — aimed at taking what many speakers called a “holistic” approach to the disorder — include providing teacher training in awareness and teaching methods for students with autism spectrum disorders, extending funding for autism medical research, and requiring the Department of Health and Senior Services to address needs for children and their families, such as guidelines for health care professionals in referring children suspected of having autism and evaluating the statewide screening and early intervention program.
“We want to make sure that there are choices, and in these pervasive developmental disabilities that is not always possible in an easy format unless we fight for it and work for it,” Corzine said.
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships, ability to communicate with others and by stereotyped behavior patterns.
Linda Meyer, executive director of the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community, said the laws will “improve the lives of people with autism of all ages.”
Receiving the loudest cheer when signed was the law establishing the New Jersey Adults with Autism Task Force, which will recommend measures to specifically meet the needs of autistic adults, including job training and placement, housing and long-term care.
Earlier this year, a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found one in 152 8-year olds had autism in 2002. New Jersey ranked highest of the 14 states surveyed — one in 94, including one in 60 among boys and one in 250 among girls.
Corzine also signed a law establishing an Asperger’s Syndrome Pilot Initiative, providing people with Asperger’s — an autism spectrum disorder — with social skills training, social support groups and aid in finding jobs.
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Michael Rispoli: mrispol@gannett.com
Topics: Legislation |