FORUM AT YSU Parents of autistic kids express frustration
Help is there for those with the disability, but accessing it can be challenging.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Parents of autistic children attended a forum at Youngstown State University and said they're frustrated with the difficulty in getting services for their special-needs youngsters.
The event, held Thursday in two sessions at YSU's Kilcawley Center, was conducted by the Ohio Autism Task Force.
Appointed by Gov. Bob Taft, the 21-member panel is charged with gathering testimony on how to improve services to individuals with autism, a developmental disability affecting a growing number of Ohioans.
The task force is holding forums across the state, inviting parents, educators, service providers and other interested parties to comment.
The group will make a report and recommendations based on its findings to the governor.
The two sessions at YSU marked the eighth and final regional forum to be held by the panel, which is chaired by State Rep. Jon Peterson of Delaware, R-2nd.
Peterson was unable to attend Thursday's event, which was moderated by state Rep. Kenneth Carano of Austintown, D-59th.
Panel's goal
Carano, a legislative liaison for the task force, told the nearly three dozen people attending the afternoon session that the panel is eager to learn all it can so it can foster changes in Ohio laws to ensure needs of people with autism are met.
The panel, which included parents of autistic children and representatives of the state departments of health, education and mental retardation, got an earful from those attending.
"The autism has never been my problem. It's fighting the government," Beth Kosar of Boardman, a mother of two special-needs children, told the task force.
Kosar described the frustration of dealing with a stubborn bureaucracy that seems to only reluctantly provide help.
Autistic children frequently need assessment, counseling and educational services.
The sister of former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, Beth Kosar said some public agencies have refused her aid, saying she's from a "rich" family.
"I'm frustrated. I'm mad," she said.
Finding adequately trained aides for her children also is difficult, she added.
Cynthia Rogers of Boardman recounted how certain educational services were available to her son in California, but weren't available when she and her family moved to Ohio.
Dr. Phillip DeMio, a physician with an autistic child, said he frequently encounters parents who aren't familiar with the educational and developmental options for autistic youngsters. "There's not enough awareness," Dr. DeMio said.
leigh@vindy.com