Rep. Hwang an Avid Supporter of Autism Awareness and The Pilot House

By Audrey Adade

State Representative Tony Hwang remains an avid supporter of legislation that supports children with autism and their families.

Since 2007, Hwang has been involved with The Pilot House Special Needs Resource Foundation, a Fairfield based and family oriented organization that provides support to children with developmental disabilities.

The Pilot House offers programs and workshops geared toward supporting parents and siblings of children with special needs. The program was founded in 2006 by Fairfield parents Doreen Caruso and John Jones. It currently serves approximately 300 families.

“Autism awareness is important as it affects children and families, regardless of economic and social status,” Hwang said. “Its impact is profound and affects all family members, especially parents and siblings.”

Hwang has served as a member of the center’s advisory board since 2008, where he keeps the organization updated on legislative action impacting the mission of The Pilot House.

He remains supportive by participating in The Pilot House walk-a-thons and awareness concerts. Hwang has been committed to advocacy in legislative action and public awareness. He has also supported fundraising efforts.

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. According to Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, it is diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States.

“I am passionate because after touring and participating in the program, I saw Pilot House’s positive contribution to bringing family members, and especially siblings, together in a non-clinical setting, allowing them to interact and understand that their brothers’ and sisters’ autism need not be so difficult,” Hwang said. “Pilot House’s programs help in making high functioning autistic children more capable of developing interaction and functioning skills. Most importantly, my passion is derived from the fact that autism affects children and their families; and they deserve our support and advocacy.”

John Jones, The Pilot House vice president of development, said the organization “provides an opportunity for children with disabilities and their families to participate in programs that are not always available to them otherwise.”

Jones, who has an 11-year-old son with autism, said, “When you can help that family member with the disability, then the whole family benefits from it. When the child is taken care of, the parents can participate in programs that are targeted to them.”

In reference to Representative Hwang, Jones said, “In his legislative record, he has been a voice for people with disabilities in Hartford, and a voice in local government in Fairfield for special education.”

The Pilot House recently moved to a new location, at 240 Colony Street in Fairfield. The organization will host a grand opening at its new site on Sept. 13, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Hwang has worked in advising the relocation of the program to the old Grasmere facility from its former location at Fairfield Woods Middle School.

“Tony has been supportive in getting us up and ready and allowing us to have our new home,” The Pilot House President Doreen Caruso said. “Now that we have additional space, it allows us to open new doors to a larger population, and we are able to service more children.”

The Connecticut General Assembly passed Senate Bill 301, which requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies. The bill was passed on May 27, and Governor Jodi Rell signed the bill into law on June 9.

“Autism diagnosis and care is still relatively new on the child development landscape,” Hwang said. “We have yet to fully understand its cause and become aware of its dramatic impact on families and, ultimately, its general societal obligations to autistic children, who will grow to become adults.”

The autism testing bill is a step forward for families with special needs children, according to Caruso.

The Pilot House will join forces with “Band Together” for a benefit concert, also known as “Rock the House,” on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m., at the Fairfield Theatre Company, located at 70 Sanford Street. “Band Together” has a strong history of raising funds for charitable organizations. For more information on the fundraiser and tickets, visit the Fairfield Theatre Company website at fairfieldtheatre.org, and the “Band Together” website at bandtogetherct.com.

PHOTO:  Rep. Tony Hwang at the Pilot House Grasmere Grand Opening with Doreen Caruso, Wendi Taylor, Diane Smola, and Bernadett Jackel