MADISON, WI – Today, Representative Shelia Stubbs addressed autistic Wisconsinites, their families, community advocates, and partner organizations at an Autism Acceptance Day event at the State Capitol. Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:
“Today, I had the honor of celebrating Autism Acceptance Day in our State Capitol with autistic Wisconsinites, their families, community advocates, and partner organizations.
I would like to thank Education and Training Specialist Megan Hufton of the Autism Society of Wisconsin for the invitation to speak. I also would like to recognize the Autism Society of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Autism Providers Association, and Autism United of Wisconsin for their critical roles as partners, advocates, and resources for autistic individuals, their families, and their communities.
Every year, more children and adults across our state and country will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A recently published report by the Center for Disease Control’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network states that in 2022, the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among 8-year-old children in the United States had risen to 1 in 31, compared to 2020’s prevalence of 1 in 36.
Compared to the national average, Wisconsin has a notably higher prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in 8-year-old children, with 1 in 26 identified as having autism.
As the prevalence of autism increases in our state, so must the prevalence of education, the prevalence of advocacy, and the prevalence of acceptance, to ensure that autistic Wisconsinites are treated with dignity, agency, and respect in every state of life.
As legislators, community organizers, and advocates, we must continue to challenge and dismantle all systemic barriers that prevent autistic people from living safe, happy, authentic lives.
We must continue to fund programs that provide essential resources and respite to autistic individuals and their families.
We must continue to practice and encourage acceptance of our autistic family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors in our schools, workplaces, health care systems, and civic life.
Autistic people everywhere deserve to be celebrated for their individual abilities and embraced as full, equal participants in their communities.
They deserve and have a right to self-expression, self-advocacy, and self-determination.
In the words of Former Executive Director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network Julia Bascom, ‘Inclusion is for everyone. Self-determination and autonomy are for everyone. Supported decision making and control over your day and your own life are for everyone.’
This month and every month, we champion full acceptance of autistic people across Wisconsin and celebrate the many ways they enrich and improve our communities. As a State Representative, I will continue to stand up and speak up for the rights and acceptance of all autistic Wisconsinites.”
