Autism in Wyoming
I co-sponsored an amendment today in the Budget Bill (2nd Reading Amendment #5) that would have provided $5 million toward lowering the waiting list for the Child Development Disabilities Waiver Waiting List. The Amendment failed. But it was close, so I will try again on 3rd Reading on Friday.
Developmental Disabilities includes Autism, which has been on the rise in Wyoming. Wyoming currently has 3 waiver programs ---
Adult Acquired Brain Injury 158 being served --- 0 on the waiting list
Adult Development Disabilities 1257 being served -- 32 on the waiting list
Child Development Disabilities 713 being served -- 113 on the waiting list (as of 1/31/08)
I am concentrating my efforts on reducing the waiting list for Child Developmental Disabilities. Waiver programs are for those that qualify of institutionalization, but instead we "waive" the rules and the person is provided services in their own home and community. For children with autism and other developmental disabilites, a big part of the services is providing some respite care for the child.
The budget amendment would have reduced the waiting list of 113 on the Child Development Disabilities Waiting List. These 113 children have to wait for more than a year to finally receive services. It is traumatic when your child is diagnosed with a developmental disability, and you are told that your child will be sitting on a waiting list for over a year, if not more. We need to make an attempt to get this waiting list down.
The Governor denied the request to reduce the waiting list and so far the Legislature has agreed with the Governor. If you agree that children should not have to wait on a waiting list to receive services, email your legislator or other legislators urging them to vote for the 3rd reading amendment that will provide the funding to reduce the waiting list on child developmental disability waiver.
Because our debates are on the internet being broadcast, many of the parents that have children with developmental disabilities, heard what I had to say, and I received emails detailing their lives. I received one email in particular, that was just heart breaking to read. She ended with her email with the following: "I have three more years before he attends Kindergarten. I don't know how we are going to survive till then or where to turn for help."
No citizen of Wyoming should have wonder where to turn for help for the needs of a child with a developmental disability. The state needs to step up to this need.