Join Autism Speaks and help the cause

As much as raising a child with special needs is tough, if you are not self-motivated enough to be a strong advocate every day and rely on others to get the support you need for your child in Illinois, you will not get what you need in this state.

There is always a need for more strong self advocates out there fighting for kids. Being between 47th-51st in the nation in disability issues is proof enough of what’s not happening in Illinois.

With that in mind, Autism Speaks is looking for advocates in congressional districts in the state, to at first call on Congressmen and women to advocate for federal legislation that is important to families with children and adults on the autism spectrum and Autism Speaks — then eventually call on state legislators to promote and advocate state based initiatives in the future.

District advocates would be also in charge of grass-roots development of improving autism awareness and support to help improve education and services for people with autism, by their efforts in getting involved in the community.

We are presently looking for autism advocates to be part of our Autism Congress for all of the Chicago, suburban and downstate legislative districts. If you are interested, self-motivated, have experience with working in your community, have talked with your legislative representatives in the past or want to in the future and have a connection with autism, you should apply.

Email me at mbaker721@comcast.net to show your interest and to talk further.

Mike Baker

Schaumburg