Senator Menendez Takes Action for Adults With Autism

Senator Robert Menendez is taking action to ensure that youngsters on the autism spectrum and their families can look toward their 21st birthdays with hope and celebration, not worry and uncertainty. 

The U.S. Senator came to the Paramus PRIDE Center on Monday afternoon to announce the introduction of the AGE-IN Act,  federal legislation which will address the needs of young adults "aging out" into adulthood. The legislation is designed to help them further their education and obtain employment and healthcare. It also provides assistance with transportation and helps them to live independently, Menendez said. 

"The time has come to take autism awareness to autism action," said Menendez, who was joined by a roomful of advocates, including members of Autism Speaks, the Early Childhood Learning Center and local officials. "Much progress has been made but it's simply not enough." 

Each year 50,000 children with autism reach adulthood and find themselves in a uniquely difficult position to continue their education or find employment, said Menendez. 

Nearly half wind up not continuing education or finding work in the first six years after graduation. 

"This lack of social integration and participation sets transitional youth on a path of non-participation that often remains for the rest of their lives," said Menendez. 

AGE-IN Act, which stands for the  Assistance in Gaining Experience, Independence and Navigation, will be conducted in two phases.  

The first phase is designed to identify the most effective interventions and existing support service infrastructure in order to develop a comprehensive training plan. The second phase puts this plan to action by providing grants to address individuals' needs, such as continued education, housing, healthcare, transportation and community integration. 

Although this is a national effort, it's largely New Jersey-driven, said the Senator. 

The Garden State has one of the highest rates of individuals diagnosed with a form of autism in the country. One out of 49 are diagnosed before their eighth birthday and in males the numbers are higher, 1 out of 29, explained Menendez. 

Kerry Magro, an advocate for autism and member of Autism Speaks, shared his own personal story of how he overcome many obstacles after having been diagnosed with autism. 

The conversation must be changed from children with autism to people with autism, he explained. 

"In our society that's the way we need to see things now because we have to be ready for them when they reach adulthood," said Magro. 

“We are excited about today’s announcement as we know first hand the need for continued support for people with special needs as they age out of school and enter adulthood,” said Dot Libman, director of PRIDE Center of Bergen County which works with young adults to help give them life skills towards finding jobs and living on their own. 

PRIDE, which stands for Promoting Responsibility Independence Decision-Making Employability, was born out of the Early Childhood Learning Center which has been educating special needs children for decades. The ECLC was founded by a group of parents who wanted to a place for their children to be able to learn and grow.

"ECLC has created a path for young people to successfully transition to adulthood, find meaning in their lives and continue to grow. We are hopeful this piece of legislation will enable many across the country to do the same," said Libman. 

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