03-28-2005, 03:57 PM
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/news/0324_Au...Force.html
Quote:
Ohio Autism Task Force
A task force appointed by Gov. Bob Taft wants to establish standards in how schools screen and identify children with autism
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The number of autistic children counted by Ohio schools has tripled in the past five years, and may still be undercounted, a state task force said. The Ohio Department of Education reports 5,406 children with autism. But because there is no reliable system to identify people with autism, a task force appointed by Gob. Bob Taft wants to establish standards in how schools screen and identify children with autism, and create a confidential state registry of cases. Autism impairs ability to interact, speak and learn, though the range of behaviors is broad. Milder cases may be hard to detect. The state panel called for Medicaid reform to help pay for therapy for young children, and urged lawmakers to prohibit health insurers from excluding coverage for autism treatment. It also urged early screening. "When a kid is diagnosed by 4, it's not soon enough," said Leslie Sinclair, program director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism and an adviser to the task force. "We have enough data to suggest kids can be diagnosed early - 15 to 18 months." The task force included no cost estimates for the proposals, which were sent to Taft and legislative leaders.
A task force appointed by Gov. Bob Taft wants to establish standards in how schools screen and identify children with autism
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The number of autistic children counted by Ohio schools has tripled in the past five years, and may still be undercounted, a state task force said. The Ohio Department of Education reports 5,406 children with autism. But because there is no reliable system to identify people with autism, a task force appointed by Gob. Bob Taft wants to establish standards in how schools screen and identify children with autism, and create a confidential state registry of cases. Autism impairs ability to interact, speak and learn, though the range of behaviors is broad. Milder cases may be hard to detect. The state panel called for Medicaid reform to help pay for therapy for young children, and urged lawmakers to prohibit health insurers from excluding coverage for autism treatment. It also urged early screening. "When a kid is diagnosed by 4, it's not soon enough," said Leslie Sinclair, program director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism and an adviser to the task force. "We have enough data to suggest kids can be diagnosed early - 15 to 18 months." The task force included no cost estimates for the proposals, which were sent to Taft and legislative leaders.