Combating Autism Act of 2005 Introduced
Autism Advocacy Community Applauds Sens. Santorum, Dodd for Introducing Bill to Authorize $880 Million for Federal Programs
Landmark legislation that would expand the federal 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 in April by Sens. 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 Institute 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, a parent of a son with autism, and co-founder of Cure Autism Now, a leading organization in the funding of autism and treatment research.
“The legislation introduced today will cut across federal agency lines to more effectively fund scientific research, centers of treatment excellence, and early diagnosis programs in every state. Introduction of the Combating Autism Act of 2005 is truly the result of the coming together of the autism community,” Shestack continued. “We are determined to make the nation treat the autism epidemic as the crisis that it is. As the incidence of autism continues to rise, we must continue to zero in on the cause so we can treat the current generation and develop preventive practices for future generations.”
At the time the Children's Health Act, the first federal legislation addressing autism, was passed in 2000, the CDC stated the prevalence of autism at 1 in 500 American children. 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 the 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, an initiative devoted to education, funding, research and motivating private and governmental resources.
Added Wright: "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. ( Watch video of Bob Wright's speech at Introduction of Combating Autism Act of 2005.)
The Combating Autism Act of 2005 would increase resources in every state for the early diagnosis and treatment of children with autism – perhaps the most important thing that could happen, short of a cure. Other elements of the Act would provide:
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. Parents from various autism organizations partnered with Senators Santorum and Dodd to write the first draft of the new bill and have worked tirelessly to make sure the nation treats the autism epidemic as the public health crisis that it is.
“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 & 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."
Autism Advocacy Community Applauds Sens. Santorum, Dodd for Introducing Bill to Authorize $880 Million for Federal Programs
Landmark legislation that would expand the federal 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 in April by Sens. 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 Institute 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, a parent of a son with autism, and co-founder of Cure Autism Now, a leading organization in the funding of autism and treatment research.
“The legislation introduced today will cut across federal agency lines to more effectively fund scientific research, centers of treatment excellence, and early diagnosis programs in every state. Introduction of the Combating Autism Act of 2005 is truly the result of the coming together of the autism community,” Shestack continued. “We are determined to make the nation treat the autism epidemic as the crisis that it is. As the incidence of autism continues to rise, we must continue to zero in on the cause so we can treat the current generation and develop preventive practices for future generations.”
At the time the Children's Health Act, the first federal legislation addressing autism, was passed in 2000, the CDC stated the prevalence of autism at 1 in 500 American children. 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 the 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, an initiative devoted to education, funding, research and motivating private and governmental resources.
Added Wright: "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. ( Watch video of Bob Wright's speech at Introduction of Combating Autism Act of 2005.)
The Combating Autism Act of 2005 would increase resources in every state for the early diagnosis and treatment of children with autism – perhaps the most important thing that could happen, short of a cure. Other elements of the Act would provide:
- Twice the number of NIH Centers of Excellence Programs for research on autism
- Collaborative National Institute of Child Health programs of Excellence in Autism
- Funds for the Center for Disease Control epidemiological surveillance programs
- Establishment of environmental health research programs
- Reauthorization for 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 the National Institutes of Health and the CDC
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. Parents from various autism organizations partnered with Senators Santorum and Dodd to write the first draft of the new bill and have worked tirelessly to make sure the nation treats the autism epidemic as the public health crisis that it is.
“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 & 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."
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