Editorial

Autism Debate Trumped by State Budget Crisis

Researchers, parents and educators familiar with autism, a brain dysfunction among youth, are in the midst of a fascinating academic debate: Is there an explosive growth of autism in the Silicon Valley and in other tech sectors or are psychologists simply diagnosing this challenging disorder better?

For those of us providing services for these special kids, the answer really doesn't matter. We simply face the challenge of serving this rapidly expanding population.

Unfortunately, this important autism debate is now taking a second seat to yet a more important issue — The “Domino Effect” of the state budget.

At Achievekids, for more than 40 years we have helped those with autism and behavioral difficulties make their way in society. We have helped thousands of families in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties through our founding organizations Zonta and the Peninsula Children’s Center.

This work has been a resource to traditional public schools required by law to serve these special populations. We help kids who do not fit in traditional educational settings. They are referred to us by either public schools or county mental health. We provide the foundation to get them back in school or in the least restrictive environment.

The problem is that the budget decisions at the State level are historic, cumulative and so monumental in nature that already strapped resources in school districts and mental health services now face unprecedented challenges.

Those of us serving these vulnerable clients have come to terms with recurrent budget cuts. The problem now, however, is that the whole health and human services sector is being crushed by this domino impact of the state deficit. Schools are losing traditional resources to serve these special populations. Special education teachers are also in extremely short supply.

Non-public/non-profit schools like Achievekids now have rapidly expanding student wait lists. Those who are in the most need are facing months waiting for services designed to prevent costly institutionalization.

No matter how this debate regarding the rapid growth autism among our youth is resolved, we need more funding and they need more services. We need public help and support to keep this issue on the front burner by enlisting the aid of legislators, administrators, and local politicians. Your letters and calls can make a difference.

Dr. Michael M. Gennette, is Executive Director of Achievekids. Dr. Gennette, a licensed psychologist with more than 20 years of experience, has been active at the state level on advocacy issues. He is the former Deputy Director of Adult and Older Adult Services for San Benito County Mental Health and the former Director at San Jose’s HOPE Rehabilitation Mental Health Services.