Authorizes $880 Million for Autism-Specific Federal Programs - Autism Community Unites to Urge Congress to Expand Autism
Research and Funding.
Landmark legislation that would
significantly increase and expand the federal government's response to autism,
a developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate and
relate to others and that now affects as many as one of every 166 children in
America, was introduced today by U.S. Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and
Christopher Dodd (D-CT). The Combating Autism Act of 2005 would authorize
$176 million annually over the next five years to combat autism through
research, screening, intervention and education efforts, in effect doubling
the current National Institutes of Health's (NIH) autism funding.
"Senators Santorum and Dodd have launched an attack on autism that has
never been seen at the federal level," said Jonathan Shestack, the father of a
son with autism, and co-founder of Cure Autism Now, one of the largest private
funders of autism research. "The legislation introduced today will cut across
federal agency lines to more effectively fund autism research and expand
autism treatment and early diagnosis. It is truly the result of the autism
community pulling together to focus the nation's attention on this public
health crisis," Shestack continued. "As the incidence of autism continues to
rise, the proposed legislation introduced today would ensure continued
resources to zero in on the cause so we can treat the current generation and
develop preventive practices for future generations."
When the Children's Health Act, the first federal legislation addressing
autism, was passed in 2000, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated the
prevalence of autism at 1 in 500 children in the United States. In 2004, the
CDC revised that figure to as many as 1 in 166.
"We are thrilled to see Senators Santorum and Dodd spearheading this
critical endeavor in support of families of children with autism. The
Combating Autism Act of 2005 would give the director of NIH the authority to
expand collaborative research for autism and autism-support programs that will
have a striking impact on the autism community," said Bob Wright, vice
chairman, General Electric, and chairman and CEO of NBC Universal and co-
founder of Autism Speaks, a new initiative devoted to education, funding,
research and motivating private and governmental resources. "I am confident
that increased federal funding for research will continue to unlock autism's
secrets and lead us to more effective treatments and, ultimately, to a cure.
As the grandparents of a child diagnosed with autism just last year, my wife,
Suzanne, and I -- along with the rest of the highly dedicated autism community
-- are committed to seeing that this legislation is enacted."
The Combating Autism Act of 2005 would provide grant programs for every
state to develop autism screening, early diagnosis and intervention programs
for children - perhaps the most important thing that could happen, short of a
cure. The Act would also provide:
-- Twice the number of NIH Centers of Excellence Programs for research on
autism
-- Expansion of the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism
-- Funds for CDC epidemiological surveillance programs
-- Establishment of Centers of Excellence regarding environmental health
and autism
-- Reauthorization of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
(IACC), established in the Children's Health Act of 2000, to coordinate
all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services
concerning autism, including activities carried out through NIH and the
CDC
"Unraveling the mysteries of autism demands a large, collaborative effort
on many fronts," said Prisca Chen Marvin, board chair of the National Alliance
for Autism Research (NAAR) and the mother of a child with autism. "This
legislation is critical to our ability to continue advancing our search for
answers -- for children and families today and for future generations."
The introduction of the Combating Autism Act of 2005 could not have
happened without the hundreds of thousands of active parents and concerned
Americans around the country.
"The Autism Society of America is most grateful for the Senators' efforts,
and on behalf of the millions of individuals living with or affected by
autism, it is our hope that lawmakers take action and support this important
piece of legislation so that not one more American family has to worry about
the future of autism research, treatment or early diagnosis," said Lee
Grossman, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America, who is the
father of a son with autism. "Parents and their children deserve nothing
less, and I am confident that our active autism community will work together
and bring attention to this legislation."
About Autism
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that now affects as many as 1 in
every 166 children in the United States. Autism is commonly diagnosed by the
age of three, and in some cases, as early as one year. Characterized by
varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions,
and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, children with
autism can exhibit symptoms that run mild to severe with widely differing
symptom profiles.
About Cure Autism Now
The Cure Autism Now Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
promoting and funding autism research, and accelerating the pace of scientific
progress toward effective treatments and a cure. Cure Autism Now is one of
the largest private funders of biological research on autism, providing more
than $24 million for research grants, outreach and scientific resources since
its inception in 1995. During that time, it has established and supported the
Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), as well as numerous outreach and
awareness initiatives aimed at families, physicians, governmental officials
and the general public. More information about Cure Autism Now can be found
at cureautismnow.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is a new initiative devoted to educating the public about
autism, facilitating and funding research, motivating private and governmental
resources, and, ultimately, finding a cure for autism. Co-founded by Bob
Wright, Vice Chairman of GE, and Chairman and CEO of NBC Universal, and his
wife, Suzanne, Autism Speaks recognizes the importance of a coordinated effort
to investigate the causes of autism, develop effective treatments, and
ultimately find a cure. More information about Autism Speaks can be found at
autismspeaks.
About the National Alliance for Autism Research
Established in 1994, the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) is
the first nonprofit organization in the country dedicated to funding and
accelerating biomedical research for autism spectrum disorders. The
organization was established by parents of children with autism, concerned
about the limited amount of funding for autism research. To date, NAAR has
committed $21.1 million in grants for biomedical research projects worldwide
that seek to find the causes, prevention, effective treatments and,
ultimately, cure for autism spectrum disorders. Additionally, NAAR was
instrumental in establishing the Autism Tissue Program, a parent-led brain
tissue donation program for autism research. More information about NAAR can
be found at naar.
About the Autism Society of America
Since its inception in 1965, the Autism Society of America (ASA) has
served as the leading source of information and referral on autism, and
addressed the needs of the autism community across the lifespan. With
hundreds of thousands of members and supporters and a network of over 200
chapters nationwide, ASA's mission is to promote lifelong access and
opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their
families, to be fully participating, included members of their communities.
More information about the Autism Society of America can be found at
autism-society.
Cure Autism Now
cureautismnow
naar
autismspeaks
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