When early intervention isn't enough

There has been a lot of talk, with the recent horrible events in Connecticut, about the current state of our mental health system.  In Michigan, the tragedy happened just days before our governor was faced with passing legislation that allowed CPL holders to concealed carry in school.  Governor Snyder vetoed this bill, possibly due to mounting pressure that questioned if now was the time to pass such a bill.  But what our state (and many others) are continuously NOT facing is the growing problem with our mental health system.  Now, the shooting in Connecticut may not have been stopped by the shooter receiving additional mental health services...its too late to say.  But the whole situation reminded me of a Time Magazine article that I'm sure will hit home for parents of children not just with autism or ASDs, but also other mental health issues, entitled "Growing Old With Autism". http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1898322,00.html

Now, more than ever, it is SO important to remember that developmental disorders and mental illnesses are not cured by early intervention.  It can help, sometimes even greatly so, but developmental disorders are LIFE LONG issues, and with so much of the research funding being shifted to early intervention services and finding cures (not that we shouldn't be focused on these issues as well), this money has to come from somewhere, and often comes from services once dedicated to adults with developmental delays or mental illnesses.

The lack of programming for adults or aging teens with developmental disabilities is even more evident in the recent congressional hearing on autism.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zGqUfvFDI4. Not only did Chairman Issa acknowledge that the hearing was about a year too late, I ask that you pay special attention to Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton's questions related to adults or aging teens that did NOT have access to early intervention, and the response of the panel being questioned (min 59:00 thru 1hr min 03).  Neither member of the panel had any VALID response to her questions about what we are doing for adults with autism.  They all but admitted there are little to no services out there.  

How do we expect communities where these kids were once shoved (at times tragically so) into mental institutions to now know how to recognize the traits of developmental disorders?  How do we integrate these adults into the public, when more and more in-patient facilities are being closed with unfulfilled promises of forthcoming "substitute programs?"  How do we ensure that a police officer can recognize the difference between a developmentally delayed adult nervously fidgeting, and a criminal going for a weapon?  A recent Detroit Free Press investigation noted that most often, the mentally delayed or disabled end up in jail because the public does not know what to do with them, and there are even times the justice system doesn't have acceptable solutions either.  Its time to take a stand and MAKE our government deal with this (on federal, state AND local levels)!  It appears that no one else will, especially not the CDC.

This boy, my angel, can be both a blessing and a terror.  There are times I fear him, simply because he does not understand safety hazards.  He doesn't understand why he can't just move someone out of his way, although he would never INTENTIONALLY hurt someone.  And there are times I fear FOR him because he also doesn't understand social cues.  And is he is going to (in part) be left to fend for himself in a society that often doesn't even recognize the difference between him and a "psycho?" We must do something, and fast!  Please support me in writing, emailing, and calling your local representatives to demand these issues be dealt with!