Friday, April 25, 2025
50.8 F
Roseville

Autism Speaks Exec Speaks

The National Institutes of Health defines autism spectrum disorder as “a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. The symptoms are present from early childhood and affect daily living.”

Lorri Unumb of Lexington, South Carolina, is vice president of state government affairs at Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. In a telephone interview, 48-year-old Unumb said, “At our son’s (Ryan’s) 18-month check-up, our pediatrician inquired about his words and speaking. Our answer was that he didn’t. He didn’t say any words. Beyond him being a colicky baby, we didn’t notice any other idiosyncrasies. We were first-time parents.”

At 22 months, Ryan was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The Unumbs went through a short period of grieving before turning their attention to giving Ryan the “best possible life.” Soon thereafter, doctors advised the Unumbs to start a 40-hour-a-week applied behavior analysis program with Ryan, which began changing his disruptive into functional behaviors.

She said, “I had no idea then that health insurance wouldn’t pay for this program the doctor recommended. It struck me as unfair that people would pay monthly premiums and if the reason they needed it was autism, they couldn’t get the treatment the doctor prescribed.”

The Unumbs paid out-of-pocket for treatment for several years. Both mother and father were attorneys. But not every parent of a child with autism had such resources, and Unumb knew it. “So I wrote a bill to remedy (the situation),” she said. “By this time, we’d moved from Washington D.C. to South Carolina. I had friends in my (autism) support group in South Carolina who knew their child needed therapy but couldn’t do anything about it. It was a knife in my stomach thinking how unfair that was.”

While lobbying South Carolina legislators, she faced strong opposition from health insurers, until winning in 2007. Her bill was renamed Ryan’s law. Autism Speaks then hired her to push for similar laws in other states, and so far she has succeeded in 44.

To parents of children with diagnosed autism, she said, “The most important thing is not to spend too long grieving or wondering why this has happened, but instead to put your efforts into what you can do this point forward.” She said Autism Speaks had an online video to guide families through their first 100 days following a diagnosis.



Join the local fun!

Coming Up!

Coming Up!

Trending

Roseville DMV Office opening on Saturday, May 3, for REAL ID Appointments

Roseville, Calif. - The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recently announced the Roseville office at 7200 Galilee Road will offer appointments on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., to accommodate customers who want to get a REAL ID

Rocklin Florist

Order flowers online from your florist in Rocklin, Calif.. Rocklin Florist, Inc., offers fresh flowers and hand delivery right to your door in Rocklin.

Lincoln Chamber hosts heartwarming and creative fundraiser

Lincoln, Calif. -The Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a heartwarming and creative fundraiser, bringing together the spirit of community and local business support.

Placer County community organizations receive grants from Athens Renewable Energy

Auburn, Calif. - Athens Renewable Energy is proud to recognize Placer Community Foundation, Roseville Urban Forest Foundation, and Gold Country Wildlife Rescue as the grant recipients for the first quarter

Roseville Iron Rose FC Soccer announces 2025 season schedule

Roseville, Calif. - Iron Rose FC kicks off its second season with both a women’s and men’s team competing in the WPSL and TLFC. After a successful women’s season last year the men join the club in 2025.

Topics

Roseville DMV Office opening on Saturday, May 3, for REAL ID Appointments

Roseville, Calif. - The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recently announced the Roseville office at 7200 Galilee Road will offer appointments on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., to accommodate customers who want to get a REAL ID

Rocklin Florist

Order flowers online from your florist in Rocklin, Calif.. Rocklin Florist, Inc., offers fresh flowers and hand delivery right to your door in Rocklin.

Lincoln Chamber hosts heartwarming and creative fundraiser

Lincoln, Calif. -The Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a heartwarming and creative fundraiser, bringing together the spirit of community and local business support.

Placer County community organizations receive grants from Athens Renewable Energy

Auburn, Calif. - Athens Renewable Energy is proud to recognize Placer Community Foundation, Roseville Urban Forest Foundation, and Gold Country Wildlife Rescue as the grant recipients for the first quarter

Roseville Iron Rose FC Soccer announces 2025 season schedule

Roseville, Calif. - Iron Rose FC kicks off its second season with both a women’s and men’s team competing in the WPSL and TLFC. After a successful women’s season last year the men join the club in 2025.

Western Placer County adds 279-acres of protected woodland

Auburn, Calif. - A partnership between Placer Land Trust, Placer County, and the Placer Conservation Authority to conserve 279 acres of blue oak woodlands recently closed escrow.

Roseville Music in the Park Concert Schedule 2025

Roseville Music in the Park. FREE summer concert series. Enjoy free family friendly entertainment at Royer Park in Roseville.

Robinson’s Taekwondo in Roseville

Robinson's Taekwondo in Downtown Roseville.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning serving Roseville and South Placer County for over 30 years

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning Inc. has been serving Placer County’s commercial and residential window cleaning needs since 1990.

Roseville Sheet Metal serving community’s heating and air needs for over 70 years

Roseville, Calif. - At Roseville Sheet Metal, we’re proud of our years of service to the Roseville area and look forward to helping you with your air conditioning and heating needs.

Mobley Pest Services in Roseville serving the community and region for over 20 years

Roseville, Calif.- Fully licensed and bonded, Mobley Pest Services in Roseville has been providing reliable pest control services for well over 20 years. Serving residents and businesses in the greater Placer and Sacramento region, Mobley Pest Services is locally owned and operated in Roseville.