Woman shines light on autism and connected issues

By Howell Dennis

CITY EDITOR

CROWLEY – It’s been three years since the Post Signal checked in on Ruth Sullivan of Huntington, West Virginia. Sullivan, who grew up in Mowata and graduated from Crowley High in 1941, became one of the nation’s foremost authorities on autism during a decorated career. She recently retired this past November. By no means does that mean she isn’t staying busy.

“Next weekend I’m going to Sacramento for a town hall meeting that the National Institute of Health is putting on,” she said. “They will be discussing several issues involving the autism community including the need for better legislation to provide comprehensive services for autism patients.”

Sullivan is still very much involved in her work with the autism community and it doesn’t seem that her retirement has slowed her down. Except for a couple of the obvious benefits.

“Now I can set my own schedule, for the most part, without having it set for me,” she laughed.

Sullivan’s interest in autism began with her son Joseph, who was diagnosed with autism as a child. Joseph became one of the two people that Dustin Hoffman’s character in “Rain Man” was based upon. Hoffman studied a documentary called “Portrait of an Autistic Young Man” which was an in-depth study of an autistic adult that featured Joseph.

“There was Joseph and another man who wished to remain anonymous,” she said.

Sullivan definitely isn’t shy about speaking frankly on issues involving autism.

“People on welfare can move to different states and just sign up and begin receiving welfare,” she said. “However, anyone on medicaid has to go through a wait to begin receiving services. Autism patients get put on a long list. “

When Sullivan founded the Autism Services Center in Huntington, she created one of the few centers in the country that provides comprehensive autism services. She is quick to point out that autism, while there has been progress, is a condition that still requires much study.

“In the last forty years our research has progressed to where we’ve seen the rate of autism go from 1 in 2500 to 1 in 150,” she said. “People are still unsure of what causes it, genetics, toxic environments, or certain medicines.”

She also voiced concern over the care for of autistic adults.

“When these people lose their parents, if they aren’t all ready in a proper environment they will be put in an institution where they won’t receive the right form of care,” she said.

Sullivan is very close with Irma Dawson of Iota. Dawson recently approached the Post Signal with the news of Sullivan’s recent retirement.

“Irma is a great PR person,” laughed Sullivan. “She’s led a remarkable life herself. She was a nurse on the front lines during World War II.”

As previously mentioned, Sullivan has no intention of slowing down. She recently began working on a book on the history of autism in addition to her other obligations.

“I don’t yet have a time table set for the books completion,” she said.