FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                            April 3, 2008

SPANO ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY AUTISM COUNCIL

Council will assist in developing local resources to help residents; Autism Fair April 6

With the number of diagnosed cases of autism in children spiraling nationally and locally, County Executive Andy Spano today announced the formation of a council to advise him on what new services are needed and to identify funding sources to help Westchester families.   

“Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, and here in Westchester we see the same trend,” said Spano, who noted that April is Autism Awareness Month. “We know that parents of autistic children spend a lifetime of energy and effort, not counting the emotional and financial toll, trying to find and get the right programs. And autism affects not only families, but the community at large.”

Nationally 1 in 150 children born in the United States has autism and approximately 67 children are diagnosed with some form of autism daily. It is estimated that between 2,000 and 6,000 children and adults in Westchester County have the diagnosis. In Westchester County public schools there are more than  800 children with a diagnosis of autism.

“There are so many aspects to autism – and so many different forms of autism on the ‘spectrum,’” Spano said. “The Autism Advisory Council, comprised of parents and professionals, will assist me and the county Department of Community Mental Health in the development of the best programs to help our families. It will also make recommendations on how to best set up a clearinghouse to help families find out about services that may be appropriate to their individual needs.”

Among the members of the council is County Legislator Thomas Abinanti.

Commissioner of Community Mental Health Grant Mitchell said, ““Westchester is fortunate to have a non-profit provider community that offers a rich array of services to children and adults with autism and their families. DCMH continues to work with this network of providers.”

As part of Autism Awareness Month in Westchester:

· The county is hosting the Second Annual Autism Fair this Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Westchester County Center. The event will feature lectures for parents addressing the needs of children of various age groups and information booths about interventions and services. There will be a supervised children’s play area as well.

· The Department of Community Mental Health is sponsoring a free educational seminar Apr. 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Westchester County Center, featuring Dr. John Pomeroy,  a nationally known psychiatrist and founder of the Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.  

DCMH is responsible for identifying needs and planning for individuals with developmental disabilities to ensure that there are appropriate and adequate services by advocating with funding sources.

Through the  Department of  Health, the county provides early intervention services to children with autism. Other services are provided to school-age children through the state Department of Education. Other services to children and adults with autism are provided through the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

Apart from the government-funded programs, many families pay privately for various therapies, services and treatments

The county’s Autism Advisory Council will assess these existing services and identify gasps in the systems. The members of the council are the following: Judith Omidvaren, parent/advocate;  Marjorie Madfis, parent/ advocate;   Nina Spooner, M.D., parent/advocate;  Theresa Pirraglia, parent/advocate;  Gail Chen, parent/advocate;  Mary Zingaro, parent/advocate;  Joanne McMahon, special education consultant;  Alsion Tepper Singer, executive vice president, Autism Speaks; Neil Boyle,  educational coordinator of Devereux Millwood Learning Center;  Ira Minot, director of Mental Health News;  Betty Crea Davidson, executive director of Navigating the Spectrum;  County Legislator Thomas Abinanti;  Marlene Perelman, PhD., psychologist; and  Peter Faustino, PhD., school psychologist. 

 For more information contact the Department of Community Mental Health 995-5220 or go to http://www.westchestergov.com/MentalHealth/Autism/