Families with Autistic Adolescents Receive Much Needed Help

June 20, 2007

Springfield … Autistic adolescents will now have the choice to reside in a Community-Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) under a bill passed by State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst). SB 284 would require the Department of Human Service to establish CILA placements for children age 13 to 18 with autism in three geographic areas of the State. According to DHS, a CILA is a combination of supports and services individually tailored for an adult with developmental disabilities. The CILA client may live in his or her own home, in a family home, or in a community setting with no more than seven other adults with disabilities. The primary goal of CILAs is to help the individual become more independent in daily living, more involved in his or her own community and more economically self-sufficient

“Families with severely autistic children will now be able to place their child in a nurturing environment that best suits their needs,” Reboletti said. “CILA placements are considered the best of both worlds because it allows maximum family involvement combined with an atmosphere that allows for the growth of an autistic child.”

Reboletti stated that autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disabilities in this country with 1 in 150 births being diagnosed as an autistic child.

Children age 13 to 18 who are diagnosed with autism are currently provided services through the school system through an Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.). Children age 13 to 18 currently are not able to get CILA placements. Some slots in residential placements are available for children who are not able to reside at home, but not in community placements.

Reboletti added that this legislation provides residential services to a population that is often underserved under the current system.

“This legislation seeks to remedy the lack of services to autistics aged 13 to 18, and offer some relief to their families as well,” Reboletti said.

Rep. Reboletti can be contacted at his district office located at 50 East Oak Street, Suite 250, Addison, or by calling (630) 530-2730.