Because autism is a complex disorder with a wide range of symptoms that affects people differently, treatments or therapies that are helpful for some individuals may not work for others.
One example is that families have discovered that the presence of a specially-trained autism assistance dog can offer autistic individuals numerous benefits, such as helping reduce certain repetitive or aggressive behaviors and providing increased social interactions during their daily activities. Unfortunately, Ohio does not currently include autism in the laws governing the use of assistance dogs, meaning these individuals could face unequal treatment under the law. To help clarify this situation and ensure that people with autism are able to use their assistance dog in all environments, I introduced Senate Bill 220. This bill seeks to include people diagnosed with autism in the definition of “mobility impaired person” as it relates to the laws governing assistance dogs.
With the understanding that not all individuals with autism benefit from the same type of treatment or assistance, the Ohio Department of Education offers the Autism Scholarship Program (ASP). This scholarship allows parents to access special education programs outside their school of residence that better meet their child’s needs. In the same way that I have seen the difference an assistance dog can make in the life of a person with autism, I believe ASP allows parents to make an important choice in meeting the needs of their children with autism.
- Shannon Jones
State Senator
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April 23rd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Wow, I had no idea about this. Great job Shannon Jones!
April 24th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Thank you so much for sponsoring this bill. While I am no longer a resident of Ohio, my wife and I have graduate degrees from Ohio State and have much affection for your state.
I am also autistic (Asperger’s) and I use a service dog to help me function in public and at work as a professor of Anatomy and Physiology. I also have an autistic son who has used a service dog for almost three years now. He is in High School and he, his date and his service dog will be going to Prom this evening.
If you feel that information from us about our successful use of service dogs could be helpful in this cause, please do not hesitated to contact us.
Ramon