My son, Zaayir was diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability in 2018. When we first sought support, his case was denied because the caseworkers handling it lacked awareness and understanding of autism. I had to appeal to ensure Zaayir received the services he desperately needed. Despite the challenges, we successfully won the case.

However, as Zaayir grows older, the struggle continues. As his sole provider, I have been learning alongside him; he is making progress with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and I am slowly learning how to communicate with him despite his limited verbal skills. It is heart-wrenching to see his service hours cut simply because the caseworkers do not fully understand conditions like elopement, which are prevalent in autistic children.

This is not just our story—many families across California face similar challenges. The current lack of adequate autism training for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caseworkers means children like Zaayir are at risk of not receiving the support they need. IHSS is a vital program meant to help families cope; however, its ability to effectively serve its intended purpose is hampered by a lack of specialized training and understanding among caseworkers.

We can improve this system by advocating for policy changes that require comprehensive autism training for IHSS caseworkers throughout California. This training should be designed by experts in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and include real-world scenarios and strategies.

Moreover, the California Department of Social Services can partner with autism advocacy groups and healthcare professionals to develop these training programs. The goal is to ensure that IHSS workers are fully equipped to evaluate cases involving autistic children accurately and provide fair and needed support.

By signing this petition, you are advocating for these essential changes. Together we can press lawmakers in Sacramento to prioritize the unique needs of autistic children and ensure that their development is neither compromised nor overlooked. Please sign and support informed policy changes for a better future for our children.