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President Bush signs the Combating Autism Act
S. 843/Public Law
109-416
Combating Autism Act of 2006
(Dec. 19, 2006; 120 Stat. 2821; 10 pages)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
December 19, 2006
Combating Autism Act Of 2006
"For the millions of Americans whose lives are affected by autism,
today is a day of hope. The Combating Autism Act of 2006 will
increase public awareness about this disorder and provide enhanced
federal support for autism research and treatment. By creating
a national education program for doctors and the public about
autism, this legislation will help more people recognize the
symptoms of autism. This will lead to early identification and
intervention, which is critical for children with autism. I am
proud to sign this bill into law and confident that it will serve as
an important foundation for our Nation’s efforts to find a cure for
autism."
− President George W. Bush, 12/19/06
Today, President Bush Signed The Combating Autism Act Of 2006.
This Act authorizes expanded activities related to autism research,
prevention, and treatment through FY 2011. There are more than
1.5 million cases of autism in the
Ø Since The President Took Office,
National Institutes Of Health (NIH) Funding For Autism-Related
Research Has Increased By Over 80 Percent – From $56 Million In FY
2001 To An Estimated $101 Million In The FY 2007 Budget, Including
Support For Autism Centers of Excellence. In addition, the
Budget includes approximately $15 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 $5.9 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.
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