The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 1/8/9
Parents of children with autism and autism-like symptoms are hopeful for the passage of two bills, one dealing with vaccination exemptions, introduced in the Legislature on Tuesday.
“I am thrilled, but I want to see results,” said Nicole Boyd of Oxford, the mother of a 4-year-old with autism, a disorder that impairs social interaction and communication and affects one in 150 children.
Boyd’s father, state Rep. Noal Akins of Lafayette County, sponsored similar autism legislation in 2008.
“It was introduced last year and didn’t make it out of the House committee,” Boyd said, noting that this time around, “I want to see some action.”
On Tuesday, state Sen. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, and Sen. David Jordan, D-Greenwood, introduced autism bills. Jordan’s, referred to the Public Health and Welfare committee, seeks to continue a task force to study rising autism rates.
Magnolia Tribune
