President Obama's 2010 Federal Budget Proposal Includes Funding for Autism
For the first time in our nation's history, direct funding for autism has been included in the President's budget proposal. President Barack Obama unveiled his proposed Fiscal Year 2010 budget which includes $211 million for the Combating Autism Act (CAA) to fight autism through biomedical and environmental research, surveillance, awareness and early identification. Read more.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Stimulus Plan
Autism Speaks Calls for $200 Million in New NIH Funding for Autism Research
As a result of the stimulus plan recently signed into law by President Obama, (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will receive more than $10 billion in new funding over the next two years. With the increased prevalence of autism and a history of insufficient federal funding for autism research, Autism Speaks – the largest autism science and advocacy organization in the country – calls on the NIH to commit $100 million in funding for autism-specific research in each of the next two years. The new funding should focus on research into the causes of autism, new and enhanced treatment options, and improved methods of early diagnosis and intervention.
A $200 million commitment to autism research would amount to just two percent of this unexpected, new windfall for medical research, an amount that is certainly reasonable and appropriate considering both the need and the scientific opportunity. “For too long, autism research has been grossly under funded at the federal level,” said Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer. “This is a prime opportunity to help remedy that discrepancy by dedicating a significant amount of new NIH funding to truly innovative and promising autism research. There are many ‘beaker-ready’ research initiatives that merit this funding and hold tremendous promise for improving our understanding of autism and how to more effectively help individuals living with autism today. A significant infusion of NIH support will greatly accelerate the search for answers.”
"By allocating this significant amount of new research dollars to autism-related science, President Obama will be making an important down payment on fulfilling his campaign platform pledge to double research spending during his first term, and to increase the overall federal autism budget to $1 billion per year," said Bob Wright, Co-founder of Autism Speaks. "In light of the $35 billion annual public health cost of autism, this money would represent a relatively small investment that can potentially result in major long-term savings to our society."
Autism Speaks urges NIH to provide increased support for studies focused on identifying the genetic and environmental causes and development of effective treatments throughout the lifespan, as well as support for the creation of biorepositories, comparative effectiveness research, and fellowships.
As a result of the stimulus plan recently signed into law by President Obama, (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will receive more than $10 billion in new funding over the next two years. With the increased prevalence of autism and a history of insufficient federal funding for autism research, Autism Speaks – the largest autism science and advocacy organization in the country – calls on the NIH to commit $100 million in funding for autism-specific research in each of the next two years. The new funding should focus on research into the causes of autism, new and enhanced treatment options, and improved methods of early diagnosis and intervention.
A $200 million commitment to autism research would amount to just two percent of this unexpected, new windfall for medical research, an amount that is certainly reasonable and appropriate considering both the need and the scientific opportunity. “For too long, autism research has been grossly under funded at the federal level,” said Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer. “This is a prime opportunity to help remedy that discrepancy by dedicating a significant amount of new NIH funding to truly innovative and promising autism research. There are many ‘beaker-ready’ research initiatives that merit this funding and hold tremendous promise for improving our understanding of autism and how to more effectively help individuals living with autism today. A significant infusion of NIH support will greatly accelerate the search for answers.”
"By allocating this significant amount of new research dollars to autism-related science, President Obama will be making an important down payment on fulfilling his campaign platform pledge to double research spending during his first term, and to increase the overall federal autism budget to $1 billion per year," said Bob Wright, Co-founder of Autism Speaks. "In light of the $35 billion annual public health cost of autism, this money would represent a relatively small investment that can potentially result in major long-term savings to our society."
Autism Speaks urges NIH to provide increased support for studies focused on identifying the genetic and environmental causes and development of effective treatments throughout the lifespan, as well as support for the creation of biorepositories, comparative effectiveness research, and fellowships.
Looks like one for the little kids
If you are interested in participating in the request below, please contact Holly directly at 775-843-0270 or h_seniuk@hotmail.com …..
Dear Colleagues,
My name is Holly Seniuk. I am a behavior analysis student in the Psychology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. My advisor, Dr. Larry Williams and I, are conducting research on children with various developmental disabilities. Specifically, we are interested in learning why some children have difficulty with certain tasks. The long-range goal of this research is to develop a tool that will help teach children these skills more effectively.
We are currently recruiting participants who have autism or other developmental disabilities. Those who take part in the study will be asked to perform various tasks that involve matching blocks and putting blocks in buckets.
I am contacting you because your organization has regular contact with many parents of children with autism. If you know parents who may be interested in allowing their children to participate in a study where they would be taught these tasks for an hour a day on days that are convenient for the family, I would greatly appreciate your sharing the contents of this note along with our contact information. Also, you may post or mail out the attached flier if you would like to do so. Email and telephone are the best ways to reach me.
Thank you for your consideration,
Holly
Holly Seniuk
UNR Mail Stop 296
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 843-0270
h_seniuk@hotmail.com
Dear Colleagues,
My name is Holly Seniuk. I am a behavior analysis student in the Psychology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. My advisor, Dr. Larry Williams and I, are conducting research on children with various developmental disabilities. Specifically, we are interested in learning why some children have difficulty with certain tasks. The long-range goal of this research is to develop a tool that will help teach children these skills more effectively.
We are currently recruiting participants who have autism or other developmental disabilities. Those who take part in the study will be asked to perform various tasks that involve matching blocks and putting blocks in buckets.
I am contacting you because your organization has regular contact with many parents of children with autism. If you know parents who may be interested in allowing their children to participate in a study where they would be taught these tasks for an hour a day on days that are convenient for the family, I would greatly appreciate your sharing the contents of this note along with our contact information. Also, you may post or mail out the attached flier if you would like to do so. Email and telephone are the best ways to reach me.
Thank you for your consideration,
Holly
Holly Seniuk
UNR Mail Stop 296
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 843-0270
h_seniuk@hotmail.com
Members & Supporters:
AB 162 will be presented to our State Assembly on Monday, March 9, at 1:30pm. The Bill will be aired live via teleconference in the south at the Grant Sawyer Building, 555 W. Washington Las Vegas.
The Autism Coalition of Nevada (ACON), numerous advocacy organizations, and thousands of parents are paying close attention to AB 162.
A PRESS CONFERENCE will be held shortly before on Monday, March 9th, at 1:00pm, at the Grant Sawyer Building, 555 W. Washington, Las Vegas. Several parents and professionals will discuss the importance and impact AB 162 will have. Your attendance will send a strong message to the legislature. We must show that there is power in numbers. Please bring signs, children, friends, and your neighbors.
Las Vegas Press Conference: 1:00pm Grant Sawyer Building, 555 W. Washington, Las Vegas
The future of our State is at a critical point and it is more important than ever for us to let the decision makers know where the people stand. For additional information please visit www.aconv.org
The Autism Coalition of Nevada (ACON), numerous advocacy organizations, and thousands of parents are paying close attention to AB 162.
A PRESS CONFERENCE will be held shortly before on Monday, March 9th, at 1:00pm, at the Grant Sawyer Building, 555 W. Washington, Las Vegas. Several parents and professionals will discuss the importance and impact AB 162 will have. Your attendance will send a strong message to the legislature. We must show that there is power in numbers. Please bring signs, children, friends, and your neighbors.
Las Vegas Press Conference: 1:00pm Grant Sawyer Building, 555 W. Washington, Las Vegas
The future of our State is at a critical point and it is more important than ever for us to let the decision makers know where the people stand. For additional information please visit www.aconv.org
Dear Autism Advocate,
The ABLE Accounts Act of 2009 – or Achieving a Better Life Experience Act – has been introduced in Congress. S.493 and H.R. 1205 will encourage individuals with autism and other disabilities and their families to save, tax-free, for disability-related expenses. Similar in many respects to existing 529 college savings plans, these accounts will be exempt from federal taxation, provided certain rules are met.
Robert Casey (D-PA), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) introduced S. 493, with Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Sam Brownback (R-KS) signing on as the bill’s original co-sponsors. Senator Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) introduced the companion bill in the House, H.R. 1205, with Congressmen Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and Kendrick Meek (D-FL) joining Crenshaw as original cosponsors.
Help Get the ABLE Accounts Act Passed:
1. CALL YOUR FEDERAL SENATOR AND HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE and urge them to become a cosponsor of the ABLE Accounts Act (S. 493, H.R. 1205). Let them know that you are a constituent and that these bills will help your family.
Find the name and phone number for your federal Senator and House Rep. HERE
2. SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR FEDERAL SENATOR AND HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE urging them to cosponsor the ABLE Accounts Act.
3. STAY INFORMED: Sign up to stay informed at AutismVotes.org Receive updates and alerts about the ABLE Accounts Act and other autism legislation. Did you receive this email from a friend? Make sure to sign up to receive Autism Votes alerts.
4. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Let everyone you know hear about the introduction of the ABLE Accounts Act.
Make sure to visit www.AutismVotes.org/able for more information and a summary of this bill.
Sincerely,Elizabeth EmkenVice President, Government RelationsAutism Speaks
Robert Casey (D-PA), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) introduced S. 493, with Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Sam Brownback (R-KS) signing on as the bill’s original co-sponsors. Senator Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) introduced the companion bill in the House, H.R. 1205, with Congressmen Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and Kendrick Meek (D-FL) joining Crenshaw as original cosponsors.
Help Get the ABLE Accounts Act Passed:
1. CALL YOUR FEDERAL SENATOR AND HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE and urge them to become a cosponsor of the ABLE Accounts Act (S. 493, H.R. 1205). Let them know that you are a constituent and that these bills will help your family.
Find the name and phone number for your federal Senator and House Rep. HERE
2. SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR FEDERAL SENATOR AND HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE urging them to cosponsor the ABLE Accounts Act.
3. STAY INFORMED: Sign up to stay informed at AutismVotes.org Receive updates and alerts about the ABLE Accounts Act and other autism legislation. Did you receive this email from a friend? Make sure to sign up to receive Autism Votes alerts.
4. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Let everyone you know hear about the introduction of the ABLE Accounts Act.
Make sure to visit www.AutismVotes.org/able for more information and a summary of this bill.
Sincerely,Elizabeth EmkenVice President, Government RelationsAutism Speaks
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