FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WOARN Says - Step It Up 4 Autism, Wisconsin!

[Guest guest]

CONTACT: Rhonda J. Greenhaw Wood

Organizer

WOARN - Wisconsin Organizing 4 Autism

Rights Now

(608)669-7660

http://www.Bloggin4AutismPower.blogspot.com

<http://www.bloggin4autismpower.blogspot.com/>

Wisconsin Organizing 4 Autism Rights Now (WOARN) tells Wisconsin state

legislators to: Step It Up 4 Autism!

Madison, Wisconsin -- May 31, 2007 -- Wisconsin Organizing 4 Autism

Rights Now (WOARN) is organizing a Public Hearing Rally, Step It UP 4

Autism, on Thursday, May 31, at 8:00 a.m. on the grounds of the

Wisconsin State Capitol prior to the Public Health Committee Meeting in

the State Senate that day.

As the number of people with autism is dramatically on the rise in

Wisconsin and the rest of the United States, WOARN and a broad coalition

of interested groups, families and community members are joining

together to demand that the state of Wisconsin address this issue that

affects so many of our citizens.

" Right now, tax payers in Wisconsin are paying nearly 100% of the costs

for providing treatment for these kids. Even though many of them have

private health insurance, the companies just refuse to pay, leaving

families to struggle to pay for treatments themselves or forcing them

into long waits for state assistance, " rues Rhonda J. Greenhaw Wood, an

organizer with WOARN and mother of a daughter with Autism. " We had to

wait a year while our daughter struggled to be able to answer simple yes

and no questions. Since our daughter began treatment, she has made

tremendous gains in her language skills and can now tell me if she needs

something. No Wisconsin family should be forced to play this nightmare

of a waiting game. "

Senate Bill 178, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, will

help alleviate the burden on state tax payers who currently pay for all

of the care needed by children with autism. This bill would guarantee

insurance coverage for treatment for children with autism whose families

have private health insurance coverage.

Many people affected by autism, their families, friends and

professionals will be in attendance to let the Senate Public Health

Committee know that this bill is critical to lives of people affected by

autism. Currently many families linger on a state waiting list to

receive coverage for treatments that help children deal with their

autism, this legislation will help insurance companies do their part to

provide treatment, helping ease the burden on state tax payers.

Currently 1 out of every 144 children in born in the United State will

be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a condition that

impacts communication, social ability and behavior. With early

intervention, children are able to learn communication tools that help

them as they function in society, leading to independent and productive

lives.

WOARN is encouraging everyone affected by ASD in the state of Wisconsin

to meet at the Capitol on May 31st to let legislators know how important

this bill is for families. People are encouraged to make signs to make

signs and bring their entire family to this event.

For further information, please contact WOARN at (608) 669-7660 or on

the web at:

http://www.BloggingforAutismPower.blogspot.com

<http://www.bloggingforautismpower.blogspot.com/>

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