Gov. Crist Creates a Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disord...

Post Reply New Topic

Gov. Crist Creates a Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders (WCTV Tallahassee)

Governor Charlie Crist wants to raise awareness for autism and Floridians who suffer from the disorder.

Crist signed an executive order on Friday to create a task force on autism spectrum disorders.

Task Force members will review the efforts of state agencies and organizations that help people suffering from autism.

They'll also set up a web site to help families with early diagnosis and finding treatment.

Gov. Crist says, "We're supposed to serve with a servant's heart and do everything we can to help our fellow citizens and that's why this is so important to me, because I've seen our challenges that many of our citizens have had to face as a result of this."

The Task Force, made up of members of victim's families, autism advocacy groups and health care leaders will submit a report to the Governor next year.

I wonder if there will be anyone on the task force who actually has autism. I wonder if WCTV will publish my comment to that effect.

They might not post it because I'm from Quebec, but this is what I posted;

<snip>I hope the Task force will include representatives of the higher functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, (Asperger's Syndrome), so that the task force results are not so one-sided as Autism Speaks' efforts.</snip>

While stating that I was from the UK, I threw this one in...

Indeed, indeed. Being in anthropology as well as another communications major (film), I've wondered if the help groups really try that hard to understand what they're dealing with. They don't necessarily try connecting with the 'victims' themselves as an audience, just their family and friends. This is likely because of the fact that the family/ones that would be concerned about autism's effects can shell out money for their quack medical practices.

As for hiring aspie/autistics into the groups themselves, it's true that people don't necessarily (willingly, might I add) advertise the fact that they are autistic/aspie. However, if you just look on the street for us, you're bound to find a few.

So far, they've posted 0 comments, but I live in this community, and I know there's a very good chance no one's working this weekend.

Victims(Gasp) I am offended! Suffer from Autism (I am even MORE offended) They make it sound like Autism is a form of cancer!! !!

The media needs to keep their facts straight, they are asking to be sued!

Our comments have been posted.

I'm astounded. Did you note, MrMark, that you DIDN'T say here what comment you sent to their site, yet our two comments match almost identically.

I couldn't quite work out what the fourth person there (Liz) was saying, but with the sentence "You (UK, Montreal, Tallahassee) are able to speak for yourselves - kudos.", I suspect we are being told that she will not listen to us.

There appears to be some comflict between adult HFAs and the parents of moderate or low-functioning auties. I'd kinda like to build a bridge there. I feel like these parents hang their hopes on a "cure" without giving much thought to the fact that there will probably not be a cure in time to help their child, and their child is going to become an autistic adult in need of services necessary to help them live as independently as possible.

I am glad Gov. Crist is doing this.

More curbies! Let's shoot them.

There's that word 'suffer' again...

I don't suffer from any diseases, or handicaps.

Me neither. Nor do I suffer fools lightly... or lazy journalists who don't think about the implications of certain words...