Join the fight for autistic children
During Autism Awareness month (April), many parents of children on the spectrum are hearing the new statistics: 1 in 50 children are now being diagnosed with autism.
People need to be aware of the ever-increasing numbers of children and adults with autism, who need understanding and help to have happy and productive lives — when medical insurance, education, job training, housing for people with developmental disabilities, to name a few, are nowhere near meeting the needs.
With that in mind, Autism Speaks is looking for advocates in Illinois to call on congressmen and congresswomen to advocate for federal legislation important to families with children and adults on the autism spectrum.
They will be asked to call on state legislators to promote and advocate for state-based initiatives in the future.
District advocates would be also in charge of the grassroots 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 district advocates to be part of our Autism Congress in the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 14th and downstate legislative districts. Contact us if you are interested, have experience 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 to show your interest and to talk further.
Mike Baker
Schaumburg
Autism Speaks