To the editor:

“The Lawrence district has a reputation as one of the best in the state for children such as Ali who require special care and attention.” No, they HAD a reputation!

Years ago, the district had an outstanding autism program. That was when children with autism at the elementary age, ready to transition into the junior high, spent their summer-school program getting accustomed to the new facility. What happened to that once-successful program?

Parents are left doing the best they can, looking to the professionals for guidance.

Autism is a lifelong disability of communication and behavior. When children can’t communicate their needs and/or fears, they act it out in their behaviors. These children did not ASK to have autism. As a society, we should work together and do what is best for our children. Not threaten to call the police on a child with a disability just because the district doesn’t want to spend the time and money on a successful autism program where enough people are trained to handle the struggles autism presents like they had in the past.

In 1992 the rate of autism was 1 in 10,000. In 2002, that ratio is 1 in 250 children. Autism is not going away. I suggest the district go back to what works, not what is cheapest.

Judy Talbot

Lawrence