April is National Autism Awareness Month and Aplha Xi Delta's OSU chapter is doing its part to help fight the disease. The sorority has announced that it formed a team for the 2009 Walk Now for Autism walk on Oct. 11, 2009 at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
The sorority hung an Autism awareness banner outside its house and members wore blue on April 2 to show support for the chapter's new philanthropy project.
"Our goal is to raise more than $1,000 and to create awareness for this under-diagnosed disease," said Megan Demski, Alpha Xi Delta's philanthropy chair and a junior special education. "Our sorority is excited to be involved."
For Erica Combs, a sorority member and junior in speech and hearing sciences, seeing the challenges of autism while working for her father's logistic company last summer inspired her to get involved. Combs' father has an employee with a 10-year-old autistic son.
"Knowing a child with autism gave me great perspective on what life is like for a person with autism and the loved ones of that person who care so much," Combs said.
Alpha Xi Delta's sorority house isn't the only place where people in Columbus are thinking about National Autism Awareness Month.
The Ohio Statehouse is reviewing legislation that would require full insurance coverage for autism treatment.
Eighteen states have laws that require insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders.
Many insurance companies label autism as a mental condition, which provides minimal coverage.
House Bill 8, sponsored by Rep. Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Heights) and Rep. Nancy Garland (D-New Albany) would require health insurance companies to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
The bill passed through the Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee on March 31 by a 10-3 vote.
"Especially during these difficult economic times, it is important that we do all we can to support families affected by autism spectrum disorders," Rep. Garland said in a statement.
Rep. Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) said the bill, which is expected to reach the House floor for a vote in a few weeks, will help Ohio families who deal with autism.
"It represents Ohio taking a step forward to acknowledge not only its citizens who are living with Autism, but the families who work so hard to give them a good quality of life," Yuko said.
"These families are dealing with a disease that requires constant attention and this bill helps them provide that attention without completely draining their financial resources and life savings."
If the bill passes through the House it will be need to pass the Senate before Gov. Ted Strickland can sign the legislation into law.
The bill excludes coverage from self-insured health care plans.
The Alpha Xi Delta sorority will be hosting "Flippin' Fuzzies" on May 29 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on the chapter's front lawn at 76 E. 15th Ave.
All proceeds from the sale of hamburgers and hot dogs will benefit the sorority's Walk Now for Autism team.
Autism is a developmental disability that affects brain function characterized by poor speech, limited interest in social activities and behaviors such as repeating words.
Most children are diagnosed before age three when socialization skills begin to develop, said Kim Niederst, a Columbus events director for Autism Speaks.
Autism Speaks has raised more than $128 million for research and patient support since 2005 when the nonprofit organization was founded.
Treatment options are limited, ranging from counseling and occupational therapy, and diagnosis can be challenging, Niederst said.
"We hope to diagnosis between 12 and 18 months through a screening process," Niederst said. "Early diagnosis and detection is the key."
There is no cure for autism spectrum disorders, which include a variety of mental disorders categorized by the severity of autistic behavior.
Marc Feher can be reached at feher.13@osu.edu.
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