Advocates needed for autism awareness

As a parent of a teenager with autism, I need on a daily basis to advocate for my son, to try to provide the best possible future for him after the age of 22 and into adulthood.

I also try to make people aware of the ever increasing number of children and adults with autism who need understanding and help to have a happy and productive life, when such things as medical insurance, education, job training, housing for people with developmental disabilities, to name a few, are nowhere near meeting the demand.

Illinois ranks 47th-51st in the nation in meeting those needs. There are not enough autism advocates in the state to talk with federal and state legislators on how to address important issues that affect between an estimated 100,000 to 120,000 people.

With that in mind, Autism Speaks is looking for advocates to call on federal and state legislators, to advocate for legislation that is important to families with children and adults on the autism spectrum and Autism Speaks. Advocates will then be in charge of grass-roots development of improving autism awareness and support in their districts, to help improve services for people with autism by getting people involved in their community.

We are presently looking for district advocates for the 6th Congressional District. If you are interested, have experience working or have a desire in 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, email me at mbaker721@comcast.net.

Mike Baker

Schaumburg