Autism Research Advocates with ties to TCNJ
Autism, which is known to affect millions of Americans, is the subject of groundbreaking research. Several of the country’s most prominent advocates on behalf of people with autism spectrum disorder have ties to TCNJ.
Until the middle of the 20th century, autism was a poorly understood disorder lacking even a name to identify it. Today, however, it is known to affect millions of Americans and is the subject of groundbreaking research.‘
In 2007, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data showing that about 1 in 150 eight-year-olds in the United States has autism spectrum disorder, a range of developmental disabilities that affect peoples’ ability to communicate and interact. That same study found that New Jersey had the highest rate of the 14 states covered by the agency’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, with more than 10 cases per 1,000 eight-year-olds in 2002. Health professionals in the state say the higher rates here may simply reflect better record-keeping, as well as a high level of public and professional awareness of the disability. Indeed, several of the country’s most prominent advocates on behalf of people with autism spectrum disorder are from New Jersey.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith ’75 co-founded the Congressional Autism Caucus in 2001 to increase awareness among lawmakers of autism spectrum disorders, to disseminate information on initiatives regarding the disability and to promote research and support for families. He is also the author of several bills that support autism research and training initiatives, while also creating family and community supports.
James Ball ’84, MA ’89, EdD, BCBA is the co-chairman of the Autism Society of America’s panel of professional advisers, the director of clinical services for New York Families of Autistic Children, as well as the president of his own firm, JB Autism Consulting. Ball, a New Jersey-based behavior analyst who works with organizations, schools, and families on training, home support services, classroom design, and behavior management, is one of the country’s leading advocates for adults with autism.
“We don’t know why it’s occurring, but it’s not going away,” Ball said. “There is a wave of kids who are going to be adults and the adult system is mediocre at best, based on funding. We need to approve legislation to improve the lives of adults in areas ranging from housing to transportation to access to jobs.”
And many New Jersey families have become advocates in their own right.
Jim Hedden ’72 and his wife, Mary Jo, recently formed the Joseph I. and Immaculate A. Fruscione Schlarship Endowment Fund at the College to support a Mercer County resident who is a special education major interested in teaching autistic children. The scholarship was established to honor Mary Jo Hedden’s parents, who valued education highly and were concerned about the education and quality of life of a granddaughter with autism.
“We have seen how caring education professionals impact an autistic child’s development and would like to play a small part in making the community aware and sensitive to their needs,” Mary Jo Hedden said.
Posted on August 10, 2009
