Staff Writer

josh.green@cnhiindiana.com

A bill passed unanimously through the State Senate last week would expand the definition of autism, and subsequently make government funding more available to anyone diagnosed as autistic.

House Bill 1596, which was authored by Rep. Cleo Duncan, R-Greensburg, would cover all diagnoses under the autism umbrella, from the needs of the nonfunctioning patient to those of genius IQ, and allow more to qualify for Medicaid waivers.

The House unanimously passed the same version of the bill earlier in the session.

"The number of children identified with autism has increased significantly over the past few years, identifying the need for legislation in this area," said Duncan, former chairwoman of the state's autism commission.

Critics of the current definition of autism claim that it excludes a large portion of the community in need and that by altering that definition, the state will recognize all autism spectrum disorders, including pervasive developmental disorders.

"The bill ensures no child falls through the cracks," said Duncan. "No one should be denied medical coverage because of a technicality."

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities defines autism spectrum disorders as a group of developmental disabilities that are caused by an abnormality in the brain. Children suffer social and communication problems as a result.

Greensburg resident Connie Burkhart supports the bill 100 percent. Her 7-year-old son, Matthew, was diagnosed as autistic when he was 2.

Matthew now attends a mainstream first-grade class at North Decatur Elementary and is "very ready for summer," said Burkhart.

The bill's progression to the governor's desk excites her.

"I'm thrilled to see (the bill's) getting this attention," she said. "It's thrilling to see that they did pass it unanimously -- who knows how far this might go?

"I think it will open a lot of doors for a lot of people."

Burkhart helped to clarify that autism is not a standardized affliction, in that it appears under an umbrella of different levels.

"Autism's a spectrum," she said. "At one end, somebody might be nonverbal and not communicating at all; at the other end, are autistic college graduates."

According to the Autism Society of Indiana, autism is a disorder that is partially genetic and partially environmental. There is nothing that can be done to cause or prevent autism. It appears that a combination of common environmental factors and genetic predisposition causes autism, according to the society's Web site.

The Autism Society tries to explain what someone with autism might be experiencing:

"From very early on, things are too loud or too quiet. Things that move quickly are hard to focus on. Interaction is beyond your ability or understanding. You can't react to situations fast enough to interact with people. You pay attention to things around you that are either still or that move in a predictable pattern."

Burkhart said when her son was first diagnosed as autistic, she was shocked, drawn aback and -- more than anything -- confused.

"The first thing I thought of was Dustin Hoffman in 'Rain Man.' I told the doctor 'No, that's not him, that's not my son -- he's not like that.

"The definition of autism was much narrower at that time, and I think probably 90 percent of the population thought of 'Rain Man' when they heard the word 'autistic.'"

Burkhart predicts that the bill, if signed into law, will make the lives of many youngsters much easier with the availability of government funding and therapy programs.

"The more people know about autism -- and the more press coverage it gets -- the better; you get the word out and hopefully one day a cause will be found," she said.

Burkhart is confident that the bill is aimed in the right direction.

"The intent (of the bill) is exactly what it should be," she said. "The broader the definition, the better off many, many children will be."