by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
When local attorney Tad Delegal pondered outlets for his pro bono work shortly after moving into his own offices six years ago, he didn’t have to look far for inspiration.
It was five years ago that his son Buddy was diagnosed with mild autism before entering kindergarten. Delegal dove into research on the disease, examining treatments like they were briefs from the biggest case of his life.
Delegal learned that autism is a developmental disability that impacts the way sufferers interact and communicate with others. It typically strikes early, usually in a child’s first three years, and, left unchecked, can cripple a child’s development.
But along with that grim diagnosis came some happier news. With the right treatment, children with the disorder can learn how to communicate, how to take care of themselves, how to learn at school. Delegal got his son into a treatment program and saw the results: Buddy just finished fifth grade at Pine Forest Elementary.
Witnessing his son’s early success, Delegal decided to dedicate his pro bono work to helping other children get access to treatment. Since Buddy was first diagnosed, Delegal has advocated for about 40 families, compelling their schools either to add treatment programs or help pay to seek treatment elsewhere.
“By providing specialized instruction, these treatment programs try to create breakthroughs,” said Delegal. “They employ really repetitive and fundamental methods of communication to create better abilities in these kids to communicate.”
Much of Delegal’s advocacy has come with the force of state legislation behind him. The Individual with Disabilities in Education Act, forces schools to provide treatment for disorders, including autism. When the schools fall short of that obligation, Delegal takes them to administrative hearings to make sure they comply.
Delegal’s litigation made the greatest impact three years ago. One of his cases compelled the Duval County School System to put together an advisory committee on educating autistic children. Delegal’s wife, Julie, now chairs that committee.
Delegal has committed himself outside the courtroom as well. He sits on the board of the Jericho School, where his son was first treated, and has helped develop the school from a coalition of concerned parents five years ago, to a full-time educational haven, providing one-on-one treatment.
“We’ve all worked together and made the school much more functional,” said Delegal. “It’s a much more professional atmosphere now, the staff is well-trained and there’s been a lot of improvements in the curriculum.”
The program was a success for his son, and Delegal said he’s seen dozens of other children make similar strides.
“You can really have a great effect with the right type of education,” said Delegal. “When they first come in, some of these kids are almost wild. They’re throwing things, biting people. But after a structured program, they’re communicating, writing, spelling. They know how to start learning.”
Before programs like Jericho’s, Delegal said the most autistic children could hope for was to live life in an institution. Now he said, many of the children learn to take care of themselves, some even go on to college and careers.