As autism cases increase in Oregon, state tries to address it

The intro to The AP story:

PORTLAND, Ore. — State Rep. Chris Edwards, D-Eugene, and his wife knew something was wrong when their son, Simon, hit 18 months without speaking his
first word.

By that age, most children are stringing together simple, two-word sentences: "Shoe Off!", perhaps, or the ever-popular "Want more!"

But for Simon, it would take almost two more years before the experts finally had an answer for his parents. The verdict was autism, the brain disability that affects more than 7,000 schoolchildren in Oregon, a percentage that's been growing by double digits in recent years.

Despite the delay in diagnosis, Simon Edwards was lucky. His family lives in Eugene, where there are plenty of resources available for autistic children and adults alike, and their families.

But many families across the state aren't so fortunate. Though Oregon has one of the country's highest per-capita autism rates, the state has never had a comprehensive, all-encompassing policy on the disorder, despite persistent efforts to shape one in the past.

"In some areas, the autism specialist for the regional programs are highly experienced folks that have been doing this for years," Edwards said. "In other areas, the autism specialists have taken a seminar."

That could be about to change. A group of autism advocates and lawmakers, including Edwards, has been working on a package of proposals to present when the Legislature convenes in January 2009. And the issue may have finally reached critical mass, with the autism population boom in the state's elementary and middle schools.

At the crux of the matter, Edwards says, is the long-running debate on whether autism is primarily a health-care issue or an education issue, and how that affects funding for the disorder. Part of the Oregon Autism Project's goal, he said, is to make sure that health and education efforts to address autism are working in tandem.

Now, work group members are taking their preliminary package on the road, holding a series of well-attended town hall meetings around the state. Meetings have already occurred in Portland, Bend and Eugene; in the week ahead, workgroup members will be in Beaverton, Coos Bay and Medford.