Minneapolis school district held today its annually autism resource and information event in Confederation Somali Community of Minnesota center in Brian Coyle.
We heard from the school district’s autism program, Hennepin county, two school board members, University of Minnesota and Minnesota department of health about what they do and available services.
As usual, parents told their devastating stories of not getting early intervention therapies such ABA or speech therapy, not getting medical diagnoses on time, lack of information or even knowing what to ask. One mom suggested that these entities don’t just come once a year, but more often and give adequate resources to Somali agencies so that they educate their community.
I think the most questions were directed at Minnesota department of health and what causes autism, why is it high in our children. One mom broke my heart and said my son has autism who is 4 and I have a 6 month old baby and I am so worried he will get autism too.
As usual MDH had no answer or plan to help these families. I wonder if they even understand their role as being the health department that is suppose to address all health needs of all Minnesotans.
The vaccine question came back and MDH said while we don’t know what causes autism, we don’t tell you about early interventions, or county resources – we know for sure it is not the vaccines. I am not sure if any parent bought that answer.
I am really struggling what to make of the current leadership at MDH. If you talk to Commissioner Ehlinger – he says he cares and even invited me to lunch. We had a nice chat. But, then no funds were allocated for any autism in their budget request this year.
MDH keeps telling us they are not qualified to do any research, but we see other health departments like Wisconsin take initiative and address autism.
MDH does not really go to IMFAR or any other autism conferences like other state health department do, they never applied the CDC ADDM system, they don’t have the state plan system from HRSA, they don’t have any Somali staff in their child and maternal health department, I can write more – but won’t.
I guess I trying to understand Commissioner Ehlinger – there must be something he can do.
At some point, MDH has to take a bigger responsibility or there will be unintended public health crises like the measles outbreak couple of years ago, because we don’t have an answer only works if you are working on something.
At this point, we can only hope and keep calling Governor Dayton who has not really addressed or asked his administration to look into autism and our community. Below is his promise if he won last time and he is up for election next year. We need to hold him accountable to his policies or lack thereof.
God Bless!
Idil – Somali Autism Mom