Kan. senator honored for autism work

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A state senator from northeast Kansas has been honored by Easter Seals for his work on autism legislation.

Sen. Tim Owens, an Overland Park Republican, received the Outstanding Advocate Award at the Easter Seals national convention in Chicago.

Owens' bill advocates for the early detection of autism and getting children early intervention services.

Owens has worked with local and national Autism Speaks organizations to get states to recognize the need for insurance coverage of treatments and therapy for young children diagnosed with the condition.

Owens is an attorney. He's in his first term in the state Senate after serving in the Kansas House.