Autism Center’s ‘Bureaucrat-Speak’

Re “Many Options in Conquering Autism,” Letters, May 13:

As the parent of a child with autism, I was incensed to read the response by Janis White of Regional Center to Christina Adams’ April 22 column. In a classic example of bureaucrat-speak, White failed to address a single one of the five very practical, very doable items that Adams proposed in her column. Choosing not to deal with the real issues, White instead dismisses Adams, accusing her of simplistically painting a “one-size-fits-all” picture of autism therapy. No one disputes that there are many types of therapy and interventions, and many may actually help these children. No single intervention works for everyone, not even home-based programs.

However, as Adams correctly states, home-based behavioral intervention is the only method that can document its effectiveness with solid scientific evidence. As a professional in the field, White surely knows this to be true.

Home programs are no picnic. They are difficult to set up and manage, disruptive to family life, and can be enormous drains on a family’s energy and resources. But they are effective. If they weren’t, parents around the world would not be sacrificing their savings and retirement funds to get their kids into one, and program providers would not have six-month waiting lists.

If prompt, effective intervention at a preschool age can enable a child to have a normal life with his “typical” peers by age 6, doesn’t it only make sense that we as a society should do whatever we can to make that possible?

If, as White asserts, Regional Center’s mission is “to help these parents access services and support for the children,” then by their own standards they are failing miserably. I know personally dozens of families who are Regional Center “consumers,” and none of them report favorable experiences.

Joe Gallant

Santa Ana

Janis White’s reply to Christina Adams’ article regarding the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” problem with Regional Center was a true embarrassment to the organization she represents. She clearly did not address the issues, she only talked around them. Regional Center of Orange County does not routinely disclose services to consumers, and if a service is justified or requested, the likelihood of receiving it without a fight is minimal. I speak from personal experience. My daughter is a consumer of Regional Center.

Our experience began nearly eight months ago when my daughter was diagnosed with autism. We were referred to Regional Center by our physician who told us that they would take care of us. Well, eight months later we are still waiting. It wasn’t until Adams’ article ran that I realized just how much my daughter’s and family’s rights had been violated.

My daughter has a chance of living a normal life, a life that would enable her to be a self-sufficient member of society. As a parent, I am doing all that I can to raise a child who is disabled. The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act and the Early Intervention Services Act are laws to ensure the coordination and provision of services and support to enable persons with developmental disabilities to lead more independent, productive and normal lives. These are the laws Regional Center must adhere to.

Jamie Landry-Zimmer

Mission Viejo