On the recordApril 27, 2010
As a parent myself, I know that there is nothing more important than the well-being of a child to a parent. When there is a change in a child's behavior and when the parents or grandparents notice that something is wrong, they are the first to notice, and they are also the first to want answers. Often those answers are that the child has autism or is on the autism spectrum. Autism has always been a challenging diagnosis. There is an increased instance of autism spectrum disorder. It is quite a phenomenon. As of yet, it hasn't really been explained, but it is something that children, families, and siblings will have to deal with their entire lives. The first is that awareness is critical, so I commend Mr. Reichert and Mr. Gerlach, along with Mr. Pitts and the other speakers today. That's what makes the designation of April as National Autism Awareness Month so significant. The second thing we know is that early intervention programs can make an exceptional difference in the quality of life for these precious children.
