Colorado to Tackle 1 in 169 Autism Statistic

Rep. Primavera Proposes Plan to “Streamline, Simplify, Unify” Services

DENVER—The statistics are startling: 1 in 169 of Colorado’s kids have been diagnosed with some form of autism. The brain disorder affects their ability to think, reason and communicate. Services to care for these children have historically been uncoordinated and costly for both families and taxpayers.

Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield) is working to “Streamline, simplify and unify services for those with autism.”  She is the sponsor of Senate Bill 163, which would support research and treatment for people diagnosed with autism.

She continued, “Every year, more and more of Colorado’s kids are being diagnosed with autism.  We need a plan for how to handle the growing numbers.”

Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects people in varying degrees of severity and is often found in combination with other disabilities. Most symptoms of autism can be recognized before a child reaches three years old. The developmental disability is more commonly passed through hereditary genes.  

The bill calls for the creation of the Colorado Autism Commission to study autism spectrum disorders, identify existing services and gaps in services for people with autism spectrum disorders, and identify best practices in providing services.

If passed, the Autism commission would develop a 10-year strategic plan for Colorado that would clarify the range and effective coordinated services needed to provide support for people with autism spectrum disorders. The plan would enable state systems, consumers and advocates to work together in a coordinated fashion to address the brain disorder.

Rep. Primavera explained, “Research shows that early intervention leads to improvements in functional skills, communication and intelligence. Providing coordinated services at a young age can greatly reduce the strain on families as well as the cost to taxpayers.”

The 23-member commission would be asked to provide a report to make recommendations for action to the General Assembly in the fall of 2009. If passed, Colorado would become the 27^th state to create such a commission.

The bill passed on a voice vote in the House today.  It requires one final vote in the House before it heads to the Governor’s desk. The Senate sponsor is Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont).

-- Posted by staff