Kerry: Dover family on the front lines with autism research

[Mass]

http://kerry.senate.gov/press/in_the_news/article/?id=57e8e02b-5056-a032-522f-e6a85e00413f

Kerry: Dover family on the front lines with autism research
Friday, November 4, 2011
by Senator Kerry
Dover-Sherborn Press

Dover —
From a very young age, Jack was a little boy unafraid to give you a piece of his mind. He’d blow kisses to say he loved you, yawn when he was bored with you, and honed a mischievous grin that disarmed the most disciplined of doctors, nurses, and teachers alike.

But until a few years ago, Jack was considered a “nonverbal learner,” a term his parents first learned after doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital diagnosed him with autism — news that would change their world forever. Those with loved ones on the autism spectrum know too well the ups and downs that Jack has faced with a disorder that can affect his behavior, language development, and everyday interactions with family, friends and the world around him.

According to the Centers for Disease Controland Prevention, one out of every 110 children in this country lives with a disorder on the autism spectrum. That’s more than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. Boys are even more likely to be affected, with one out of every 70 affected by this disorder. While there are no cures yet, research shows that early intervention and treatment can dramatically improve a child’s development and quality of life.

Here in Dover, Judith Ursitti is doing something about it. As director of State Government Affairs at Autism Speaks, Ursitti is helping to raise awareness of the prevalence of this disorder and the critical need for research on causes, prevention, treatment and a cure.
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Yhanks. You see so many people claining autistic kids (particularly those who are high functioning) are just spoiled brats who should be disciplined. It is good to see the Senator is involved in making sure these kids can be helped. Not an easy work, and they absolutely need to train general education teachers and staff in addition to teachers specialized in autism, but given the amount of people affected and the vast variety of abilities for kids in the SPectrum, this should be a national priority.