The Politics of Autism includes an extensive discussion of policy initiatives in the states.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has signed into law two pieces of autism legislation sponsored by a local assemblyman.
On Friday, the governor signed a bill authorizing the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to create a standardized identification card, and another mandating that early screening for autism be a recommended part of routine early-childhood pediatric exams.
Both bills were sponsored by Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam, who has a 16-year-old son with autism.
"Hundreds and hundreds of families go through the exact same challenges that my family goes through," said Santabarbara, who is chairman of the Assembly Subcommittee on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
"It's a big win for my Autism Action Plan, and it's a big win for people with disabilities," he said. "This makes New York a leader in addressing the issues of people with autism."
