State legislators join postcard-signing event to rouse support for autism legislation

Several state legislators, including Reps. Joshua Hernandez, Kathleen Cates, Liz Thompson and Tara Lujan joined the Garza-owned McDonald’s and Elevate the Spectrum to host a postcard signing-event Saturday in an effort to impact change for those with autism.

The event was held at the McDonald’s owned by Clemy Garza at 5700 McMahon Blvd. and drew dozens of people.

“I do have the privilege of being able to say that I have family and loved ones who are on the spectrum, and I just wanted to come here and thank Elevate the Spectrum,” Cates said. “As legislators, and I’m so happy and proud to be standing up here with these legislators; we know how much work has to be done. Whether it’s developing our workforce, ensuring and shortening up our wait times for diagnosis. But the work that Elevate the Spectrum does on a very grassroots level, creating those integrated opportunities, this is so, so important. I just wanted to come and say thank you. Thank you for lending your voice. Thank you for sending those postcards. We need your voice. You have a unique voice that is essential to the community.”

Pre-filled postcards were available for the public needed to add their address. Volunteers then will send the postcards to the appropriate legislators. The Garza-owned McDonald’s issued “Be Our Guest cards” to anyone who filled out a postcard, providing a complimentary food item at a next visit.

“Considering that 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the U.S, most New Mexicans know someone who struggles with the challenges ASD presents,” said Garza, whose son has autism. “We need more funding at the state level for programs that support families and add more providers to evaluate and provide services for those with autism.”

Since October 2023, hundreds of people have contacted state legislators using the prefilled postcards created by Elevate the Spectrum. The postcards focus on matters that directly affect New Mexico’s autistic community, including:

• Improving restraint and seclusion laws. Currently, students with disabilities such as autism account for 75% of those who are physically restrained at school.
• Increasing pay for autism service providers. Pay typically starts at $13, which is only a few dollars above minimum wage. The request will be for $19 per hour, commensurate with the qualifications needed to fulfill the specialized positions.
• Fully funding a Special Ed Ombud office, adding as many as four full-time FTE’s.
• Funding programs to cut wait times for autism evaluations for children and adults. Current wait times are often as long as one to two years.
• Increasing services and quality of care for respite, group homes for adults and teens and residential treatment centers. Since most people with autism are on Medicaid, this impacts those who are able to receive services.

“These events are a great way to educate elected officials and to meet other families with similar concerns related to autism,” said Joel A. Davis, vice president of Elevate the Spectrum, Inc. “Thanks to Clemy and the Garza McDonald’s for helping us elevate issues like special education, improvements, workforce training program and adding more developmental disability services to benefit those with autism.”

Both the New Mexico House and Senate proclaimed Jan. 17 as “Autism Awareness Day” at the Capitol.

“I also have family that is on the spectrum, and Joel has done a great job of keeping me informed, getting me really into the community here,” Hernandez said. “So really, I want to thank all of you guys for supporting and giving up countless hours for your family members that are on the spectrum. You know it is a thankless and tireless job, but it is probably one of the most important ones.”