A Message from
Suzanne and Bob Wright
Co-founders, Autism Speaks™
Suzanne and Bob Wright
Co-founders, Autism Speaks™
Dear Friends,
It's hard to believe that Autism Speaks is already celebrating its fifth year anniversary, and while we have made excellent progress on behalf of the autism community over the past five years, we still have a long way to go. At a time when 1 in 110 children and a staggering 1 in 70 boys is being diagnosed, Autism Speaks' mission to fund global biomedical research into the causes and treatment of autism; to promote public awareness and understanding about autism; to lobby for insurance and increased federal spending; and to offer much needed services for affected families, has been more crucial than ever. The initiatives spearheaded by Autism Speaks continue to benefit these children and their families as they struggle with the complex effects of this disorder.
What is clear now is that more has to be done for the autism community. Today, Autism Speaks is on the frontlines fighting for autism insurance reform. Until very recently, most families who received an autism diagnosis were denied coverage – and for a disorder affecting one percent of children in the US, this kind of treatment by insurance companies is not only negligent, it is outright discriminatory. Our Government Relations team, with unwavering support from our grassroots volunteers, has been lobbying lawmakers in Washington D.C. and state capitals around the clock. At the time of this writing, 21 states (accounting for more than 50% of the population) have enacted autism insurance laws while an additional 23 states have legislation pending.
In his Fall 2009 speech at the National Institute of Health, President Obama identified three major health areas of concern – heart disease, cancer, and autism – and announced that $116 million dollars in stimulus funds would be allocated through the Recovery Act in what he called the “largest ever infusion of funding into autism research.” Additionally, the President is supporting language to end discrimination against autism in all insurance plans. The Combating Autism Act, which was passed in 2006, authorizes nearly one billion dollars in expenditures over five years beginning in 2007, to combat autism spectrum disorders, through screening, education, early intervention, prompt referrals for treatment and services and research.
On September 22, 2009, Autism Speaks hosted its second annual World Focus on Autism in New York City. It was there we announced our “Decade for Autism” challenge, a global call to action for international leaders and stakeholders to raise a combined $100 million dollars in their countries over the next ten years for autism research, awareness and service development. Our greatest wish is that five years from now – only halfway through the “Decade for Autism” – many of the pressing needs of the autism community will have been addressed. As part of this decade, Autism Speaks will continue expanding its reach around the world, particularly with our Global Autism Public Health Initiative (GAPH) which brings together all important stakeholders in order to create sustainable change.
We started this organization so that we could help sound the international alarm on autism, and in 2007 the United Nations responded to our call by passing the resolution for a World Autism Awareness Day to be recognized around the globe each April 2. While Autism Speaks' voice gets louder and its presence more ubiquitous, our organization still has so much more to do. We are more determined than ever, to change the future for all of our families and individuals who live with autism every day, and to finally give them back their voice.
It's hard to believe that Autism Speaks is already celebrating its fifth year anniversary, and while we have made excellent progress on behalf of the autism community over the past five years, we still have a long way to go. At a time when 1 in 110 children and a staggering 1 in 70 boys is being diagnosed, Autism Speaks' mission to fund global biomedical research into the causes and treatment of autism; to promote public awareness and understanding about autism; to lobby for insurance and increased federal spending; and to offer much needed services for affected families, has been more crucial than ever. The initiatives spearheaded by Autism Speaks continue to benefit these children and their families as they struggle with the complex effects of this disorder.
What is clear now is that more has to be done for the autism community. Today, Autism Speaks is on the frontlines fighting for autism insurance reform. Until very recently, most families who received an autism diagnosis were denied coverage – and for a disorder affecting one percent of children in the US, this kind of treatment by insurance companies is not only negligent, it is outright discriminatory. Our Government Relations team, with unwavering support from our grassroots volunteers, has been lobbying lawmakers in Washington D.C. and state capitals around the clock. At the time of this writing, 21 states (accounting for more than 50% of the population) have enacted autism insurance laws while an additional 23 states have legislation pending.
In his Fall 2009 speech at the National Institute of Health, President Obama identified three major health areas of concern – heart disease, cancer, and autism – and announced that $116 million dollars in stimulus funds would be allocated through the Recovery Act in what he called the “largest ever infusion of funding into autism research.” Additionally, the President is supporting language to end discrimination against autism in all insurance plans. The Combating Autism Act, which was passed in 2006, authorizes nearly one billion dollars in expenditures over five years beginning in 2007, to combat autism spectrum disorders, through screening, education, early intervention, prompt referrals for treatment and services and research.
On September 22, 2009, Autism Speaks hosted its second annual World Focus on Autism in New York City. It was there we announced our “Decade for Autism” challenge, a global call to action for international leaders and stakeholders to raise a combined $100 million dollars in their countries over the next ten years for autism research, awareness and service development. Our greatest wish is that five years from now – only halfway through the “Decade for Autism” – many of the pressing needs of the autism community will have been addressed. As part of this decade, Autism Speaks will continue expanding its reach around the world, particularly with our Global Autism Public Health Initiative (GAPH) which brings together all important stakeholders in order to create sustainable change.
We started this organization so that we could help sound the international alarm on autism, and in 2007 the United Nations responded to our call by passing the resolution for a World Autism Awareness Day to be recognized around the globe each April 2. While Autism Speaks' voice gets louder and its presence more ubiquitous, our organization still has so much more to do. We are more determined than ever, to change the future for all of our families and individuals who live with autism every day, and to finally give them back their voice.
"This disorder has taken our children away.
It's time to get them back."
Thank you to all of the families who have so generously shared their children's photos and stories
-Suzanne & Bob
Suzanne and Bob Wright
Co-founders, Autism Speaks
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