Weprin Calls for Expansion of City Autism Program

Councilman Mark Weprin, D-Oakland Gardens, is calling on the city to continue and expand its Council Autism Initiative.

Weprin joined service providers and families of children with autism last week at City Hall to urge for appropriate care to be available for parents or caretakers of patients with autism spectrum disorder.

“We are seeing a rise in the number of children being diagnosed with some form of autism as they get older and recent studies indicate that two million children in America have developed autism spectrum disorder,” Weprin said. “This means parents are more aware and we need to ensure that families receive quality care and services.”

The Council Autism Initiative provides social and recreational services for children diagnosed with the disorder. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, intensive behavioral interventions for children with the disorder cost $40,000 to $60,000 per year in addition to medical costs.

But service providers are stretched beyond capacity amid budget cuts to the program, Weprin said.

“As a member of the City Council’s Health Committee, I am very concerned about the current lack of accessibility to resources that parents and children living with autism face,” Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras, D-East Elmhurst, said.