Sunday, February 16, 2025
59.5 F
Roseville

Autism and Cam Ward

A National Institutes of Health website states that autism spectrum disorder causes “severe and pervasive impairment in thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others.” The severity can range from the more serious autistic disorder to the milder Asperger’s syndrome.

Not long ago, Alabama State Representative Cam Ward knew almost nothing about autism spectrum disorder. In just a few short years, the 38-year-old Republican has become a vocal state and national advocate for people with autism.

His 6-year-old daughter Riley has autism. “And we’re going through what every other family with it has to go through,” said Ward in a telephone interview. “When first learning about it, it can be a scary and confusing time because you just don’t know what to do.”

All children with autism show deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication, and social skills, and exhibit repetitive behaviors and/or interests.

“We didn’t learn about the autism until my second term in office,” he said. “I didn’t even understand what it was, but was thrust into it. Having her have autism began putting a lot of things in perspective for us right away. Often, we politicians campaign on abstract ideas, which can be good, but there are a lot of other issues like autism that affect people on a day-to-day basis that we can’t push to the backburner.”

For example, he said having a child with autism can put a strain on a marriage. Ward credited his wife Julie as the family “hero” for her efforts in helping raise Riley, who has progressed remarkably with her social skills. He also praised an early intervention program.

Besides being an advocate through answering constituent questions, Ward has championed state legislation, named “The Riley Act,” to create an interagency council in Alabama that coordinates the efforts of nine state agencies serving an estimated 30,000 Alabamans with autism. He also supported a law to create regional autism service centers based at Alabama universities.

Last year, Ward publicly took on popular talk radio host Michael Savage, who suggested autism was a hoax caused primarily by bad parenting. “It was an unfortunate, ignorant statement on his part,” Ward said of Savage. “He obviously didn’t know what autism was like dealing with or had been with a family that had to deal with it.”

The key to overcoming societal misconceptions about autism was persistence, he added.



Brighter Side

Trending

Find the lowest gas prices in Roseville, Rocklin, & Lincoln

Roseville, Calif. - Gas prices continue to hover around the $5 per gallon mark at many locations around South Placer County.

Open: Auburn Library’s temporary location

Auburn, Calif. - The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help patrons navigate materials and lead library programming.

❤️Valentine’s or a Scam? Roseville PD reminds you to protect yourself against romance fraudsters

Roseville, Calif.- It's a new year. Are you or a family member looking for that someone special in 2025? Now, more than ever, people are using their smart phone for almost everything, including finding their soul mate

IICA Speech in Roseville

Our knowledgeable and compassionate team provides speech, language, cognitive, social, and feeding services to enhance the quality of our clients’ lives while empowering their caregivers through our unique team approach.

Sierra College President Willy Duncan earns international recognition for economic development efforts

In recognition of his efforts on the team to bring BOSCH to Placer County and his leadership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sierra College Superintendent and President Willy Duncan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Community Partner Award

Topics

Find the lowest gas prices in Roseville, Rocklin, & Lincoln

Roseville, Calif. - Gas prices continue to hover around the $5 per gallon mark at many locations around South Placer County.

Open: Auburn Library’s temporary location

Auburn, Calif. - The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help patrons navigate materials and lead library programming.

❤️Valentine’s or a Scam? Roseville PD reminds you to protect yourself against romance fraudsters

Roseville, Calif.- It's a new year. Are you or a family member looking for that someone special in 2025? Now, more than ever, people are using their smart phone for almost everything, including finding their soul mate

IICA Speech in Roseville

Our knowledgeable and compassionate team provides speech, language, cognitive, social, and feeding services to enhance the quality of our clients’ lives while empowering their caregivers through our unique team approach.

Sierra College President Willy Duncan earns international recognition for economic development efforts

In recognition of his efforts on the team to bring BOSCH to Placer County and his leadership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sierra College Superintendent and President Willy Duncan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Community Partner Award

PCWA Hell Hole Reservoir project approved to increase storage

Auburn, Calif. - At its Thursday meeting, the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors approved a $5.8 million contract for the Hell Hole seasonal storage increase project, adding to the capacity of the Hell Hole Reservoir so it can

🍀Clover Valley’s long history predating Rocklin

According to Sierra College Geology Professor Dick Hilton, the valley started to form five million years ago as the Sierra range lifted and tilted westward. Runoff streams wore down millions of years of rock and gravel deposits

❤️ 7 wonderfully fun spring break destinations in California

Roseville, Calif. - We ♥ California! Exploring the breadth and length of the magnificent Golden State is life's never ending journey. With exciting travel opportunities and variety in all directions, Roseville enjoys a premium and convenient location to fuel those adventures.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Paul Black’s Solar Panel Cleaning in Roseville serving the region for over 30 years

Roseville, Calif. - Money-saving solar panels in Roseville, Rocklin and throughout South Placer County have become ubiquitous From new residential solar communities continue to big business and after market installation, solar seems to be a smart choice to shred those high monthly electric costs.

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center emphasizes the use of prevention and natural therapeutics

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center is a professional primary care natural medicine committed to helping all people reach their full potential – mind, body and spirit.

Stanford Ranch Family Dentistry in Rocklin serving the local community since 2000

Rocklin, Calif.- For nearly 24 years, Jason and Heather have grown their successful Stanford Ranch Family Dentistry practice by faithfully serving patients throughout the Rocklin, Roseville, and greater South Placer County region. Their business has grown to now employ over a dozen employees which helps them meet the growing demands of a successful local business.