Senator Continues Fight for Families Touched By Autism
Sen. Bob Menendez sponsored legislation to reactivate the Combating Autism Act.
Photos
Thirteen-year-old Alexander Feeley has his good days and his bad days.
Feeley was diagnosed with autism when he was 3. He hugged his mother and held her close, nuzzling his head next to hers.
“It has been quite a journey,” Feeley’s mother, Cecilia, said. “We’re just so grateful for the support from so many people.”
Feeley, his mother, and others met with Sen. Bob Menendez at her house to celebrate the continuation of federal funding to assist families with an autistic individual under the Combating Autism Act (CAA). The legislation was signed into law in 2006. Menendez sponsored legislation reauthorizing the act. It was signed into law in 2011. Menendez is running for re-election this year.
“I’ve heard too many stories from families with a child with autism that they were denied critical therapies and services because their insurance companies wouldn’t cover them,” Menendez said.
The act provides $231 million annually for creating education, early detection, and intervention programs to try and properly diagnose and treat autism.
“For many families in New Jersey, early intervention would be cost prohibitive without the resources provided by the federal government,” Menendez said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 88 children younger than 8 are diagnosed with autism annually. In New Jersey, the number is about one in 49.
Early detection, Menendez said, must be part of the process of properly diagnosing and treating autism.
“For many families in New Jersey, early intervention would be cost prohibitive without the resources provided by the federal government,” Menendez said. “No one wants to deny any child anything on the basis of cost, especially when we are talking about that child’s well being.”
Bergen County freeholder Joan Voss’ son Paul has asperser’s syndrome, a mild form of autism.
“He’s very smart, but his social skills were very poor so I thought that maybe he was just shy,” Voss said. “I paid out of pocket for speech therapy and other forms of treatment out of pocket so I know what families are going through. What worries me is that teachers think that children who are anti-social have some sort of developmental problem and that’s just not true for autistic people. It’s social.”
— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Scondo
7:10 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Bob is part of the single most non productive congressional delegation in the nation. voting for him and his ilk is similar to shooting yourself in the foot, although the latter is decidedly less painful.
Cathy Kazan
1:30 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I had the opportunity to attend the Special Parents Association Open House last evening. I was so impressed with what the wonderful volunteers are doing for our special needs community here in Wayne. There were so many new programs available for parents and children. District employees took time to come and explain all the new services available as well as introduce themselves to the parents. Kudos to parents like Cecelia Feeley, Beth Marmalejos and all the SPA officers who work tirelessly not only for their own special needs children, but for everyone else's as well. Thanks for all you do.
Scondo
2:18 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
And how does that relate to the Senator's resurection of the legislation. Oh, it doesn't it relates to the fact that you are running for re-election and you need to have name recognition.
Chicken Little
3:34 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
@Scondo
I was trying so hard to restrain myself and not say what you said. But, thank you for saying it. You are dead on.
However, I agree with the substance of what Cathy said.
WayneParent2
3:46 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Chicken Little-I will also agree with Scondo. It is amazing what comes out of the woodwork during election times. Scondo-Kazan is not running for re-election as she has no experience sitting on the board of education.
brendalee
5:41 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The article is about legislation which is nothing less than critical. The figure, 1 in 49, in New Jersey is accurate, and if you've watched the CDC count of this epidemic rise over the years, it is evident it will continue to rise. Some day (and I don't wish this on anyone; I know the suffering) it will likely affect someone close to you. I welcome and am happy to hear the voice of anyone supporting the legislation, and/or in support of all those who devote their time in support of any and all our children and their families.
Rex miatke
6:10 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
We need more people to get involved in the wonderful special needs programs that Wayne offers for our children. Wayne Special Parents Association is amazing group of people that care deeply about our special needs population. We welcome anyone to come and find out what the special needs education programs are all about in Wayne.