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REMEMBER APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
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We dedicate each April as a time to raise awareness about the troubling and complex developmental disability known as autism. There is still much to learn about this disease, though doctors have determined autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that can affect everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or level of education.
Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls.
This neurological condition adversely impacts normal development of the parts of the brain that controls social interaction and communication skills. Autistic children and adults typically have difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communications, social interactions and leisure activities. Autism is considered a spectrum disorder, or a condition that has varying degrees of severity based on the individual. In other words, two children with the same diagnosis can act very differently from each other and have varying degrees of social and verbal proficiency.
People with autism process and respond to information in unique ways. People with autism generally display behaviors such as an insistence on routine, being alone, avoiding eye contact, uneven motor skills and lack of responses to verbal cues. These symptoms add to the common misconceptions associated with autism.
While children with autism have trouble communicating their needs and wants, one common and troubling myth is they can't display signs of love and affection. During Autism Awareness Month, we should acknowledge these common misconceptions and realize that autism sufferers receive and process information differently than people without the disease. Individuals who have spent time with autistic children can certainly understand the developmental disability, but they also know the youths still show signs of love and affection.
Let's try to make an effort to break through some of the stigmas associated with this difficult developmental condition, and realize that children and adults with autism still have the ability to communicate and show affection.
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KOLB DEMANDS VOTE ON RENEWED DEATH PENALTY, CIVIL CONFINEMENT
Assemblyman Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) today called on Assembly Democrats to bring to the floor of the Assembly for vote, legislation to "fix" New York's capital punishment laws and establish civil confinement regulations. The state's capital punishment statute was struck down last year as unconstitutional by the state Court of Appeals, effectively banning the imposition of the death penalty as a sentencing option in criminal cases.
Kolb noted that 11 Democrats on the Assembly Codes Committee last week voted against a proposal to bring a revised death penalty bill to the Assembly floor for debate and a vote. Kolb added the bill deserves to be debated, and the public has a right to know how each legislator voted on this important piece of legislation.
"Apparently, these 11 Democrats forgot there were 139 other members elected to the state Assembly," Kolb said. "By not allowing this important issue to be voted on by the entire house, Assembly Democrats are attempting to thwart the democracy that we were all elected to preserve."
Kolb joined his Republican Assembly colleagues to urge the Democrat-controlled Assembly Codes Committee to reconsider its decision and approve moving the legislation to the floor, where it can be debated and voted on by all Assembly members.
He noted that Democrats who control the Assembly Mental Health Committee voted the same day to keep from the Assembly floor important civil confinement legislation aimed at keeping New York's most violent sexual predators confined after their prison sentences end. Civil confinement would give judges the option of ordering the most dangerous sexual predators held in secure mental facilities to receive proper medical treatment.
"Keeping legislation from the floor is a backhanded attempt at controlling bills, and not allowing the democratic process to approve or reject this legislationOnce again, Democrats are putting politics before policy, and are choosing to block legislation that would protect our most vulnerable citizens," Kolb continued. "Some progress has been made in reforming the rules that govern the Assembly, but last Tuesday's action by these two committees demonstrates the need for further rules reform. I'll continue to fight to make sure these important issues are addressed by the Legislature this year."
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KOLB COMPLETES TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE
Assemblyman Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) has recently completed town meetings in every town in the 129th Assembly District. Over the weekend, Assemblyman Kolb finished with town meetings in Ontario County to fulfill his commitment to hold the sessions in every town in his 129th Assembly District. Assemblyman Kolb said the meetings provide him with opportunities to meet with residents and discuss issues that affect them and their communities.
The Ontario County ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) group, a participant in the town meetings, has been working with Assemblyman Kolb to promote legislation that would create penalties for failure to yield the right of way causing a personal or fatal injury accident. The fine for a loud muffler on a motorcycle is currently greater, than the fine for failing to yield the right of way even if it causes a death.
Below, from the left, are Assemblyman Kolb, Scott Twitchell, Robert Bancroft and Shawn Fenner.
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