NJ college receives $1 million in federal funding for autism center

From The Star-Ledger in NJ:

CALDWELL, N.J. -- When one of Jenny Bar-Yaacov’s 10-year-old twins darted into the middle of traffic on a street not far from her Maplewood home, no one had to tell her that her child’s autism was to blame.

Shortly after her twins were diagnosed, Bar-Yaacov began studying how the condition — which affects more children in New Jersey than in any other state — grips children and puzzles their parents. Her research gave her answers, and the work of educators gave her hope.

Now, some of those same educators Bar-Yaacov turned to are getting help themselves in the form of a center.

Educators at Caldwell College, which has a doctoral program for autism education, have received federal funding to build a center to serve children with autism and their families.

The college announced the funding Wednesday inside Mother Joseph Residence Hall — the site of the autism center — among students and families who are linked to the school’s applied behavioral analysis doctoral program. The program, proponents say, helps break down skills to its smallest components to help autistic children understand the world around them.

Bar-Yaacov says her son no longer "elopes," or runs away from her into the middle of busy streets. Now she uses a laser pointer, shaped like a mouse, to show her son where to stand.

Another mom, Elaine Keith of Basking Ridge, said her 6-year-old son Chase — who was diagnosed as an infant with leukemia and later diagnosed with autism — could not eat, drink or go to the bathroom on his own.

Keith and Bar-Yaacov said educators from Caldwell’s program taught their children, when others said they could not.

"My son is a thriving child," said Keith. "He is eating and learning skills — they taught him how to live again."

Bar-Yaacov, who wears an autism awareness bracelet made up of puzzle pieces to represent that autism is a puzzle, echoed the same sentiment.

"My son doesn’t do those things anymore," she said. "There is a belief here that they can learn."

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (pictured), who along with other officials helped the school secure more than $1 million in federal funding, said the state has an exceedingly high rate of autism. The national average is one in 110 children are diagnosed with autism, compared to the state’s one in 94.

"I feel that it’s my responsibility that we protect the well-being of all children to allow them to grow up and appreciate life fully," Lautenberg said, adding that he hopes the autism center brings relief to families.

That’s the hope of Sharon Reeve, the coordinator of the doctoral program.

Reeve, who said the center should be open by November, said she had a vision Wednesday afternoon as she stood on stage during the announcement.

"There were eight kids with autism here with their families and I had this vision: this is where these families will come and feel supported. This is will be wonderful. This is it."