New autism agency welcomed

''He will probably never speak."

Heather Flaherty left Children's Hospital in Boston devastated, the pediatrician's words ringing in her ears. Still, she refused to accept the bleak prognosis, the possibility that she would never know the simple pleasure of a conversation with her son, Aidan, who was then just 22 months old.

Flaherty took Aidan home to Newburyport, determined to follow the doctor's advice. But Flaherty didn't understand the meaning of her son's diagnosis -- autism -- and couldn't make sense of the pediatrician's scribbled instructions: ''OT, 40 hours ABA, and speech." It was like an alphabet soup.

''There wasn't a place to call to explain what we were supposed to do, to tell us where we could get these ancillary services and find qualified specialists," said Flaherty, who now speaks with ease of how OT (occupational therapy), ABA (applied behavioral analysis), and other treatments have helped Aidan, now 5.

In an effort to spare other parents of children with autism similar frustrations as they seek treatment, legislators on Beacon Hill this year earmarked $1.2 million for the creation of a Division of Autism Spectrum Disorders to oversee services and support for families. The money was included in the fiscal 2006 budget Governor Mitt Romney signed June 30. The goal is to provide parents like Flaherty a clearinghouse to find information and support services, state officials said.

''We are essentially starting a new agency to address the needs of families who have children on the spectrum," said state Representative Barbara A. L'Italien, an Andover Democrat who represents parts of Boxford, Haverhill, and Georgetown. L'Italien worked for two years to rally support for the creation of the autism division.

''With this budget, we've opened a door," she said.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects each individual differently and with varying degrees of severity. It usually appears by the time a child reaches the age of 3 and hinders the youngster's ability to interact with others and to communicate, both verbally and non-verbally.

There is no known single cause for autism. Researchers are investigating several theories, including environmental factors and possible links to genetic and medical problems, according to the Autism Society of America.

''You can't say to the parent of a child with autism, 'Give him this pill and everything will be all better,' so instead we try to provide information and serve as a resource," said Gail M. Kastorf, director of the Autism Support Center at North Shore ARC in Danvers, a nonprofit that supports individuals with disabilities.

The local support center is one of eight in the state. Each center provides information about the disorder and offers parent training and workshops, but the scope of services varies from one center to another. Some centers provide recreational activities for autistic children, while others run support groups or offer after-school care.

''These centers have been working diligently. The question now is how to support them and help them expand their services, because the population of children on the spectrum is growing," said Cariann Harsh, senior project manager for the new autism division, which was in the planning stage for a year before it received funding on July 1.

In recent years, the number of children who have been diagnosed with the disorder has increased dramatically. The Danvers support center was established in 1991 and initially served about 100 families. This year, as many as 1,400 families will turn to the center for help.

Several state lawmakers, including L'Italien and representatives Mark Falzone (D-Saugus) and Kathi-Anne Reinstein (D-Revere), are pushing for legislation that would allow Massachusetts to apply for a Medicaid waiver to maximize federal reimbursement for the cost of services that the state provides to children with autism. The state spends roughly $16 million annually on intensive in-home services; if a waiver program is established, the Commonwealth could recoup half of that money. The House passed the proposal last week; the Senate is now weighing the measure.

''When you have a child with autism, you have to learn a whole new language in order to advocate effectively for your child," said Cathy Krendel of Beverly, whose twin 7-year-old boys were diagnosed with the disorder as toddlers.

With intensive therapy, Joshua and Daniel Krendel have learned to read and write and play with other children. Still, there are daily struggles, Krendel said, noting that she and her husband, Steve, moved their family from Salem to a cul-de-sac in Beverly because the boys cannot grasp the danger posed by passing motorists.

Krendel hopes the newly created Division of Autism Spectrum Disorders will grow in future years. ''One million dollars won't go very far. It's enough to start, but there needs to be more."

For more information or resources, please contact the Autism Support Center at North Shore ARC in Danvers: 978777-9135. Brenda J. Buote may be reached at bbuote@globe.com.