President Bush | Autism PDD

• National Institutes Of Health (NIH) Funding For Autism-Related Research Has Increased By Over 80 Percent From Million In FY 2001 To An Estimated 1 Million In The FY 2007 Budget, Including Support For Autism Centers of Excellence. In addition, the Budget includes approximately million at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for autism surveillance and research, including five regional Centers of Excellence for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology. In October, CDC initiated a .9 million study to help identify factors that may put children at risk for autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities.

The Combating Autism Act Enhances Research, Surveillance, And Education Regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Act Authorizes Research Under NIH To Address The Entire Scope Of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism, sometimes called "classical autism," is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS).

The Act Authorizes Regional Centers Of Excellence For Autism Spectrum Disorder Research And Epidemiology. These Centers collect and analyze information on the number, incidence, correlates, and causes of ASD and other developmental disabilities. The Act also authorizes grants to States for collection, analysis, and dissemination of data related to autism.

The Act Authorizes Activities To Increase Public Awareness Of Autism, Improve The Ability Of Health Care Providers To Use Evidence-Based Interventions, And Increase Early Screening For Autism. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to:

• Provide information and education on ASD and other developmental disabilities to increase public awareness of developmental milestones;
• Promote research into the development and validation of reliable screening tools for ASD and other developmental disabilities and disseminate information regarding those screening tools;
• Promote early screening of individuals at higher risk for ASD and other developmental disabilities as early as practicable;
• Increase the number of individuals who are able to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of ASD and other developmental disabilities;
• Increase the number of individuals able to provide evidence-based interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD or other developmental disabilities; and
• Promote the use of evidence-based interventions for individuals at higher risk for ASD and other developmental disabilities as early as practicable.

The Act Calls On The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) To Enhance Information Sharing. The IACC provides a forum to facilitate the efficient and effective exchange of information about autism activities, programs, policies, and research among the Federal government, several non-profit groups, and the public. The Combating Autism Act requires the IACC to provide information and recommendations on ASD-related programs, and to continue its work to develop and update annually a strategic plan for ASD research.

I just wanted to point out that the Combating Autism Act isn't JUST for research ... it is for early diagnosis and intervention to ... It is addressing many funding issues that we as parents are always talking about ... not just research.   Read up on the Act if you want to know more about what EXACTLY it will give money for. 

My only worry is that the money won't trickle down to the parents who already have kids on the spectrum and need thier issues addressed.  Parents of older kids who don't know what to do once thier kids are too old to be helped by the system. 

I know it was supposed to be an Afgany war. I said I disagreed with the way things were handled. I am by no means a poltical person. Just stating my thoughts. Did not mean to offend.

ZachiesMom,
As far as the Combating Autism Act; I realize that it is also for early intervention and screening. I was just being brief. I just wish there was more avaiable for our children as far as services. I have 5 kids, 1- 17 year old girl /gifted, 1- 16 year old boy/ Aspergers and LD-Nos with an IQ of 130, he also has epilespy, and hyersomina, 1- 10 year old boy/ Bipolar Disorder, ADHD combined, ODD, PDD-NOS, Cluster Miagraine Headaches, Taracardia dyskensia(probably didnt spell that right), Permant hearing loss in his left ear and Learning Disabilites in all areas, 1-6 year old boy/ Mild to Moderate MR and a Anxiety disorder, 1- 4 year old girl-Severe Autism and Speech and Language disorder secondary to Autism. I am a Family member of the Autism Society, Easter Seals, NAMI, CABF, and a few others. I walk for Autism, Epilespy, and other events to help raise money. I write my Congressmen and Women, call in on National Call in Days to help reserve or obtain funding. Everything I can do. I am not against the Research money! If it wasnt for Early Intervention services for my youngest she would NOT be where she is today. I did not know alot of the things I know now when my older children where younger, I didnt even know where to get help. Believe me you can tell the difference in Early Intervention. I personally believe that Intensive Early Intervention is the key to a successful outcome. But intensive intervention has to continue as long as necessary.

I have the same concerns as you about the money trickling down. They are trying to cut down CSS/CAP services for my kids now.  Our family is already starting to feel the strain. As for the older children, I Agree. My 16 year old was just dx about 4 months ago with Aspergers. I always thought he was but with the Epilespy sometimes it masked the symtoms. I have no Idea what is going to happen when he turns 18. He wants to go into the Air Force and he would be great at what he wants to do which is Areonotuical Engineering(forgive spelling) but I have warned him he may not be able to get in. He has his heart set. He hasnt even been able to get his permit, DMV turns him down because of the disabilites.

I did not mean to offend you. I was just being brief.

vcuddy,

I also agree with you, same issue. Only thing is the older ones are not the only ones forgotten, In my experience the more severe the disability the more forgotten they become. With my 10 year old, It has been a nightmare finding someone just willing to treat him. It took me over 4 years. Everyone kept on saying his case was too complex for them to handle.

Ok I'm sure I'm going to get attack for this one but Allegra I voted for Bush and so did my whole family and alot of my friends. We do have alot of friends whom did not vote for either. I know this board is not for politics but i wanted to say that I did vote for him.

Same here ,as did 90% of my county.

[QUOTE=Allegra]You know I have spent a great deal of time corresponding online with Americans, and I have failed to meet one yet who supports Bush.  Who voted for him?  Seems odd.

Anyway happy for you all in this bill being passed

LOL  I support Bush....I don't agree with everything he says or does but I voted for him.  I will own that.  My husband is military and Republicans tend to give bigger raises for military than Democrats in office do. 

Karrie

Allegra,

A lot of it's regional.  Bush does very well in the south and the midwest of America.  Not so well on either coast.

He also does really well with those who consider themselves social conservatives and conservative Christians.

Both politcal parties do their best to foment fear and hatred between regions of the country and between those with differing social and/or polical leaning.  There's lots of pandering and misdirection and fear mongering, very little discussion of actual policy.

It's quite a sad state, actually, and very bad for the country, when whole regions or classes of people believe in the straw men that are created by each party to define the opponent.