Senator Parker Addresses the Needs of People with Autism Through Landmark Bills

FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER (D-Brooklyn)

Contact: Kassandra Mayhew | mayhew@nysenate.gov | 718-629-6401 | 718-629-6420 fax

For Immediate Release April 2, 2015

Senator Parker Addresses the Needs of People with Autism Through Landmark Bills    

Brooklyn, NY – On this World Autism Awareness Day, Senator Kevin Parker (SD21) reminds us to "partner and move toward appreciation, inclusion, and acceptance to ensure that individuals with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder live to be valued for their talents, uniqueness, and gifts in our society. Light it up Blue."

Senator Parker has introduced a package of bills to assist in the care and rights of people and families living with autism spectrum disorders. Prominent bills from the package include:  

• Directing certain commissioners to study and report the costs to the state for the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and the long-term treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. (S. 2562 – Parker)

• Establishment of a registry to help locate individuals with autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease or dementia in the event they go missing. (S. 551  – Parker)

According to the National Autism Association, 48% of children with an autism spectrum disorder attempt to wander or run away; 32% of parents reported near drownings; and 65% of parents reported their children with Asperger’s syndrome had been victimized by peers.

The Brooklyn Senator stated, "In New York City we have experienced the disappearance of children on the spectrum in prominent news reports during the last year. Some of the children who wandered met a tragic end while others through the kindness of strangers found their way back to the warmth of a loving family.” The lawmaker continued, “our acceptance and recognition of those in the spectrum may enrich and save a life."

About Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn community that consists of 318,000 constituents in Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope. He is the Assistant Democratic Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs, Ranking Member of the Senate Committees on Energy and Telecommunications Committee and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and Chair of the Democratic Task Force on New Americans.

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