Gatepath’s statement on Michael Savage’s remarks on autism

Comments recently expressed by radio personality Michael Savage reaffirm the importance Community Gatepath places in building respect and understanding of people with special needs and disabilities. We continue to be inspired by the commitment of individuals, city and county government, other nonprofit organizations, business leaders and schools who work with us to build opportunities of inclusion for children and adults with special needs. UNITY is a key component of commUNITY. 

The words of one ill-informed individual have not changed our commitment to the children we serve nor should it defuse any of the strides families around the world have made to bring attention to autism.

THE LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION for Children's Health recently released a study that should concern anyone who cares about the progress of our public school students. The study shows the number of Bay Area public school students diagnosed with autism sharply increased between 2001 and 2007 by more than 150 percent. The study failed to answer why there was such a sharp increase so quickly, only to speculate that maybe it's a case of improved detection in autism or a change in how autistic symptoms are diagnosed. While both things are likely true, we must conclude there are more children with autism than realized.

Autism reduces a child's ability to communicate and develop relationships, which makes it more difficult than an average child to comprehend and respond to curriculum. Certainly a serious threat to the progress of our children and another major challenge to our education system is on the horizon.