MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELING AND EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 508 Alen Hal sep 9727 WS Reet Cie Misi Sue, MS 39752 Dear Governor Bryant, ne 652} 325306 Fa 6) 325 3163 Tam writing in strong support of $B2581, which will be brought to a vote this week. 1 write this letter of support in variety of capacities. First, I write as a clinician who has worked with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for the past 12 years; I write as a trainer of School Psychologists who practice applied behavior analysis; I write as the director of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic at Mississippi State University; and,1 write as the inaugural president of Behayior Analyst Association of Mississippi (BAAMS), As someone who Jhas worked extensively in the field of Autism across several states, I have seen the first hand the siveeping positive impact such a bill can have on the residents of a state, Autism is a life-long, costly disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions and communication skills, as well as by having restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors. As I am sure you are all well aware, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent report suggests 1 in 68 children are impacted by Autism, Across gender, that is 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls, making it more common than juvenile diabetes, muscular dystrophy, leukemia, and cystic fibrosis combined, Now, I can go on an on about the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. I could mention that ABA is the most well documented and supported service for the treatment of ASD on the books, dating back to the 1960's (National Standard Project of National Autism Center, 2009). could remind you each that children who receive carly ABA intervention services have been shown to need significantly less life-long support. And, I could also remind you that these children who are able to access high quality ABA services are afforded access to a better quality of life than their peers who do not have this access. I could do all of that, but you already know this to be true. Beyond these truths, there is the buried economic impact of the SB2581. Recently the Journal of American Medical Association JAMA, 2014) reported that having a child with Autism costs between $1.4 million - $2.4 million dollars across the lifespan. This same report estimated that Autism costs the United States approximately $236 billion per year. In 2012 the Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee reported that having a child with Autism costs approximately $3.2 ‘million across the lifespan. With no inerease in prevalence rates, this would cost Mississippi approximately $32 billion over the next 50 years. How are such costs incurred? The previously referenced JAMA article reported the greatest cost during childhood were costs for services and parental productivity loss (ie., having to quit their jobs). During adulthood, residential care and individual productivity loss as a result of not receiving appropriate remedial services during childhood. Counselor Education - Educational Psychology - Sebo! PeychologyThe federal office of special education reported the rate of school aged children with ASD. rose from 0.67% - 4.31% from 2001 to 2010 in Mississippi, which is approximately a 643% increase. This bill provides these children the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to be contributing members of Mississippi, not part of the $32 billion dollar loss, Furthermore, this bill provides their parents the chance to keep their own jobs. Finally, it creates the opportunity for hundreds (perhaps thousands) of jobs for well-trained professional in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. ‘Many folks are surprised to hear that the very first person ever diagnosed with Autism at Johns Hopkins, Donald Gray Triplet, is from Forest, Mississippi. Mr, Triplett is alive and well because he had parents that had the means to get him the support he needled. Unfortunately, not all children with Autism in Mississippi are so fortunate to have such means. This bill gives them that chance, While it may not seem so, $B2581 may be one of the most important bills to ever come across the Senate floor. There is an opportunity here to make a long lasting and positive impact on so many families in the great state of Mississippi. I hope you share my support of SB2581 and willingness to serve the families of Mississippi. I welcome any and all discussion regarding this bill, Please feel free to contact me with questions. rds, - Povo, Daniel L. Gadke Ph.D., BCBA, NCSP Assistant Professor : Licensed Psychologist AAAA Licensed School Psychologist Director of The Autism Clinic - School Psychology Services Center President of Behavior Analyst Association of Mississippi (BAAMS) Dept. of Counseling & Educational Psychology Box 9727 508 Allen Hall Mississippi State University Mississippi State,MS 39762 Work: (662)325-3312 Fax: (662)325-3263 email: dgadke@cofled.nsstate.edu