In the final days of 2006, President Bush signed into law the Combating Autism Act, brought to the House by Congressman Joe Barton (R-Texas) and sponsored in the Senate by outgoing Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) and Christopher Dodd (D-Connecticut). It is important to note that House Members Mary Bono (R-California) and Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) originally introduced a companion bill in the House last year.

The new Combating Autism Act funds almost $1 billion over the next five years, to combat autism in four critical areas: research; screening; early detection; and early intervention. The new legislation will increase federal spending on Autism Spectrum Disorders by at least 50 percent.

Building on provisions contained in the Children’s Health Act of 2000, the bill requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand and intensify autism-related research, including possible environmental causes of autism. Research dollars will be allocated to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute of Mental Health and a number of other institutes at NIH. The bill also provides for statewide autism screening, diagnosis and intervention programs to be developed and to monitor the efficacy of statewide programs and systems. This will ensure that all children are screened for autism before their second birthday, and that children at risk for autism receive appropriate services as early as possible.

Today it is estimated that 1 in 166 children will be diagnosed with autism. In his remarks before the House, Congressman Barton spoke of the crucial need for this funding. “Today, little is understood about the causes and mechanisms of autism. Many studies have been conducted into researching possible genetic and environmental causes of autism, and scientists are learning more about this disorder and how its effects can be lessened or eliminated. But without question, more work needs to be done to pinpoint the true causes of autism and to come up with a cure.”

We are encouraged by the resources going to the understanding of autism and the fact that this is an excellent investment to reduce the future incidence of autism. We must however, not forget the current challenges facing today’s families, desperate for the resources to help their loved ones receive the most up-to-date educational and behavioral therapies. Devereux sees this incredible need every day as it serves hundreds of families and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders across the country.

Devereux is a national, leading provider of services to children, adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our history includes our founder, Helena Devereux, working closely with Dr. Leo Kanner, who first identified autism in children.
Devereux is proud of its legacy of assisting individuals with autism and their families. We look forward to continuing that mission.