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e-Speaks || May 15, 2009
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Progress in All Areas of Autism Research on Display at IMFAR
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The eighth annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) recently concluded in Chicago, after three days of more than 900 presentations. More than 1,500 researchers from all over the world attended the meeting. From demonstrations of innovative technologies to a keynote address about crucial neural pathways that may be disrupted, and potentially fixed, in autism, this meeting gave scientists from all areas of autism research a chance to discuss their findings. The presentations this year were not only directed at understanding and remediating the core deficits of autism, but also at finding ways to improve the quality of life for people with autism and their families.
Read more.
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Autism Speaks Releases Strategic Plan for Science
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Autism Speaks has released its Strategic Plan for Science, which outlines its goals and priorities for research funding over the next three years. Developed in consultation with its Scientific Advisory Committee and outside advisors, the Autism Speaks Strategic Plan is focused on innovation, with an emphasis on translating discoveries into diagnosis and treatments for individuals living with autism today. Read more about the plan
here.
The complete strategic plan documents are now available at
www.autismspeaks.org/science.
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Autism Tissue Program Reports from IMFAR
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A growing number of researchers contributed to sessions devoted to the study of the brain at this year's International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Autism Speaks Autism Tissue Program (ATP) makes post-mortem brain tissue available to as many qualified scientists as possible to advance autism research. Using brain tissue, scientists can go far beyond the constraints of other technologies and study autism on both a cellular and molecular level. This year, conference themes of neurodevelopment, genetics and environment were reiterated in the sessions on brain tissue research.
Read more.
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Three Walk Now for Autism Events Raise over $1 Million
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On May 2 and 3, Walk Now for Autism events took place in Utah, Georgia and Northern New Jersey. More than 27,000 people participated, raising over $1 million. Read more and view photos
here.
Walk Now for Autism events will be held this weekend in Chicago, Cincinnati and Laurel Highlands (Penn.)
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“Autism Speaks 400, presented by Heluva Good!” NASCAR Race and Auction Announced
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Dover International Speedway, Autism Speaks and Heluva Good! have teamed up for the upcoming May 31, 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Monster Mile, now known as the “Autism Speaks 400, presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips & Cheese.” Throughout the race weekend, the trio of partners will work together to educate and increase public awareness of autism. Additionally, two once-in-a-lifetime experiences are up for auction, including the chance to be the Honorary Starter at the Autism Speaks 400 and the opportunity to play golf with NASCAR celebrities. Click
here
to read more about the race and
here
to learn more about the auction.
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Lowe's Motor Speedway Raises $31,000 for Autism Speaks
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Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. celebrated Autism Awareness Month by contributing $31,000 to Autism Speaks raised through a special ticket sales promotion from April 3-11. The tickets sold were for NASCAR's biggest back-to-back weekends with the 25th running of the upcoming NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 16 and the 50th Coca-Cola 600 on May 24.
Read more.
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Autism SpeaksU Race and D.C. Concert Raise $70,000
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Two fundraising events, the Autism SpeaksU First Annual "UWere, UAre, USpeak Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk" and the Second Annual National Chamber Players Concert, took place in Amherst, Mass. and Alexandria, Va., raising over $70,000. Also, Autism Speaks is fielding teams for both the Chicago and New York City Marathons. Read more and view photos
here.
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Colorado Legislature Passes Autism Insurance Reform
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Autism Speaks joins Colorado families and other autism advocacy organizations in applauding the state's legislators for passing Senate Bill 244. The Colorado bill requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies with a maximum benefit of $34,000 annually for a child with autism that is eight years old or younger and $12,000 annually for a child between the ages of nine and 18. The bill now heads to Governor Bill Ritter Jr.'s desk, and when signed, will go into effect on January 1, 2010. To learn more about the Colorado bill, and to ask Governor Ritter to sign SB 244 into law, visit
www.autismvotes.org/Colorado.
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President Obama's FY 2010 Budget Includes $211 Million for Autism
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Last week, President Barack Obama released his FY 2010 budget, including $211 million in funding for autism research and awareness projects under the Combating Autism Act (CAA). Specific line items in the President's budget include $48 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration/Autism and Other Developmental Disorders (HRSA), $141 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and an estimated $22 million for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). For more information on the President's FY 2010 budget and to download a highlighted copy of the “Department of Health and Human Services: Fiscal Year 2010 Budget in Brief,” please visit www.autismvotes.org/caa.
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Autism Speaks Co-Founders Visit London
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In celebration of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), and at the invitation of the British Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown, Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright (pictured here with Maggie Darling) attended a reception on May 5, at Downing Street in London. The reception brought together many of the autism charities in England to mark the end of autism awareness month in April. Read more.
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Community Grants Application Deadline Approaching
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The deadline for submission of proposals to fund projects that will enhance the lives of those affected by autism spectrum disorders is fast approaching. Proposals for these family services grants are sought in the following areas: Recreation/Community Activities; Education; Equipment/Support Technology; or Young Adult/Adult Services. Educators, trainers and services providers who work with individuals with autism are invited to apply. Applications are due by June 25, 2009. Since the inception of Autism Speaks' Family Services Community Grant program in December 2007, over $1.4 million has been awarded to more than 70 community programs across the nation.
Read more.
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Join Autism Speaks' Facebook Community
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Autism Speaks has expanded its presence on Facebook with an
official fan page,
an
official cause
and more than 80 community pages. Read more and find your local community page
here.
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In Their Own Words: Mother's Day Tribute
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In our latest "In Their Own Words" essay, members of our community who have a loved one with autism submitted tributes about their wife, mom or personal experience as a mother of a child on the spectrum, in honor of Mother's Day.
Read more.
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Coming Soon
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May 16
Chicago Walk Now for Autism (Chicago, Ill.)
Cincinnati Walk Now for Autism (Cincinnati, Ohio)
May 17
Laurel Highlands Walk Now for Autism (Ligonier, Penn.)
May 30
Bay Area Walk Now for Autism (San Jose, Calif.)
Denver Walk Now for Autism (Denver, Colo.)
Milwaukee Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Oak Creek, Wis.)
Wheeling Walk Now for Autism (Wheeling, W.Va.)
May 31
Autism Speaks 400, presented by Heluva Good!® Sour Cream Dips & Cheese (Dover, Del.)
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Donate Now • Contact Us
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