A special blue ribbon state panel on autism has about 50 recommendations for improved diagnosis, services, and opportunities for those with the disorder.

The Blue Ribbon Panel wants a state Autism Commission that will make sure all of its work does not wind upon a shelf with other dust-gathering committee and commission reports. Committee chairman Scott Rupp (of Wentzville) says the commission will make sure the blue-ribbon panel’s work will continue

Rupp says the panel has found there are a large number of agencies, organizations and services working with or for those with Autism. But there’s no single list of how money is allocated to them.

And even with all those organizations and agencies, there are still people falling through the cracks. He says one of things the panel wanted to do was shine a light on those who are not helped despite the large number of agencies, services, and organizations offering aid.

The panel recommends more attention be paid to early diagnosis and lifetime services. It suggests special programs encouraging employers to hire people with the disorder…that the law be changed defining autism as a medical diagnosis–which Rupp says is the key to getting insurance coverage for treatment.

A lthough the commission makes about 50 recommendations, the only one considered a priority is the formation of the commission. Rupp says the commission considers all of the other recommendations of equal high importance.

 

download Bob Priddy’s story (:60 mp3)