From Farm Team members Deborah Miller and Lynn Miller: Autism Votes

Did you know that Virginia has one of the highest rates of autism in the U.S. – one in every 150 children? In 1998, there were approximately 1500 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children already in Virginia’s schools and ten years later, over 9100 children are enrolled – a staggering growth rate.

Families across Virginia are under great strain, struggling financially virtually on their own to provide health services for these children because health insurers are not required to cover treatment. Fifteen states across the country have already passed comprehensive legislation requiring private health insurance to cover autism treatment. Last year, the insurance industry killed a similar bill in the Virginia Assembly but pursuit of similar coverage in Virginia continues. Your help is needed to be part of the solution to this critical problem.

If you are care what happens and believe that it is unfair to discriminate against these children, please join us and Autism Votes at the Northern Virginia Autism Summit on Monday, October 5, 2009, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia. RSVP: www.vapnova.org

Other events around the state will take place on October 10 and October 19. Details follow.

• Tidewater Autism Summit
  Saturday, October 10 (noon – 4:00 pm)
  Double Tree Virginia Beach Convention Center
  1900 Pavilion Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia
  RSVP: tidewaterasa@verizon.net or call 757-461-4474
• Loudoun Autism Summit
  Monday, October 19 (6:30 – 9:00 pm)
  National Conference Center
  18980 Upper Belmont Pl, Leesburg (Lansdowne), Virginia
  RSVP: vap.president@gmail.com

For more information about Autism Votes, please go to www.AutismVotes.org.