Shannon Knall Appointed to Dept. of Public Health Advisory Council

Simsbury Selectman Shannon Knall has been appointed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health to The state's PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) Advisory Council. In June, Connecticut became the first state in the country to pass groundbreaking legislation to create the PANDAS Advisory Council. Knall will serve as the representative of the autism community.

"As a mother to a child with autism and PANDAS, I am honored to be able to lend my voice to this groundbreaking initiative," said Knall. "I am pleased to join parents and policy makers to help raise awareness about this devastating, often misdiagnosed or mistreated condition."

Also in her remarks, Knall thanked Senators Kevin Witkos, Joe Crisco, and Terry Gerratana, and Representative Susan Johnson for their ongoing work to promote legislation that benefits people suffering from this debilitating autoimmune disorder.

In an official proclamation recognizing October 9 as PANDAS Day in Connecticut, Governor Dannel Malloy "acknowledged the need for educating the public about this autoimmune disorder. The legislators are urging the medical community and the public to help children be correctly diagnosed and be treated to end unnecessary suffering."

In addition to her service on the Simsbury Board of Selectmen, Knall is the Connecticut Policy Chair for Autism Speaks and has led numerous grassroots efforts to support impactful insurance, employment and education law on behalf of families living with autism.