| | Matt Critton/The Lantern | | Students from Oakstone Academy wait in line to speak before a crowd of supporters at an autism rally on the south lawn of the capitol Wednesday morning |
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Hundreds gathered Wednesday, National Autism Awareness Day, on the south lawn of the Ohio Statehouse to support autism awareness and promote a bill granting more funding to autism programs. The bill, supported by Ted Strickland, secures full insurance benefits for patients with autism.
Reports from Autism Society of America indicate that the lifetime cost of care for an individual with autism ranges between $3 and $5 million. Autism activists advocate more the government funding for to the cause.
According to the Autism Society of America, one out of every 150 children in the United States has been diagnosed with autism. The purpose of the rally was to make the community aware of autism's prevalence and relay the message that there is help.
Shelly Hendricks traveled from Louisiana to speak about her 10-year-old son who has autism.
"After the first few months after our son's diagnosis, we stopped having a pity party and started thinking of ways to make a difference," she said. "We worked really hard in grass roots advocacy which, is something everyone can be a part of."
Students from Oakstone Academy, the Children's Center for Development Enrichment, presented short speeches about their personal experiences concerning autism.
Missy Williams, a highly functional student with autism, talked about her illness and how much Oakstone has helped her.
"As a child with autism I didn't begin to talk until I was about four," Williams said. "Now people tell me that I'm too chatty."
Trea Will, Director of Ancillary Services for Habilitation Services in Columbus, said the purpose of her attendance was based on a desire to let the community know help is out there.
"I know that it may seem like it's a lot of information to weigh through, but we have very highly qualified speech therapists. We are in the community and in the schools to help the people who need us."
Among the crowd of local residents were 36 agencies representing different outlets of assistance to patients with autism and their families.
Dr. Emilio Amigo, director and owner of Amigo Family Counseling, said the rally was a great way for people in the community to advocate for individuals with autism. Amigo added the more attention the community gives to autism awareness the greater the chances are for change.
"I think that the word is out and people need to realize that they have to make some noise," Amigo said. "You have to let the legislators know that there is a problem concerning the lack of funding and services available."
President of the Autism Society of Ohio, Barb Yavorcik, talked about ways the community could better support children and the families affected by autism.
"All it takes is one person that cares," Yavorcik said. "One person to contact a state legislator, one person to send an e-mail, one person to write a letter."
Dr. Amigo added the importance of contacting public officials who could help in the efforts to do more for autism.
"We're trying to help the families to be able to secure full insurance benefits for autism which, is sometimes excluded," Amigo said. "Kids aren't able to get the services they need because funds are so limited, and that's why we're here."
Sara Clifford can be reached at clifford.65@osu.edu.
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