provide programs and funding for children with autism who have reached the age of 21.

At the age of 21, young adults with autism age out of the system. After the age of 21 they are no longer eligible to attend public programs that provide them with education, socialization,speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy that they so desperately need. Many of these young adults fall through the cracks. The lower functioning young adults are not prepared to work yet they continue to need the same quality of help that they were receiving before they aged out of the system. Many end up sitting at home and begin to regress. We cannot and should not allow this to happen. It is essential that high quality programs be created and funded by the government. We cannot allow anymore Willowbrooks in our nation. I urge everyone who reads this petition to sign.