Washington, DC – May 14, 2009 - U.S. Representatives Mike Doyle (PA-14) and Chris Smith (NJ-4) today introduced legislation to ensure that individuals with autism receive the care they need. 

This legislation, the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 (H.R. 2413), would develop model autism care centers that would improve and coordinate the care that individuals with autism receive and provide those services at a single location, improve the dissemination of information between autism researchers and service providers helping individuals on the front lines, improve training for professionals treating autism spectrum disorders, and mandate that health insurers cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

“For far too long, families dealing with autism spectrum disorders have been denied the help that they need from the federal government and private health insurers,” Congressman Doyle said today.  “I’ve been working as co-chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus for years to eliminate those shortcomings, and I’m pleased to join my colleagues here in the House and Senators Durbin and Casey in the Senate in introducing legislation that would go a long way toward ensuring that individuals with autism get the services they need.”

““The battle against autism requires an ongoing commitment to adequate funding for research and public awareness, and it also demands innovation,” said Smith. “This bill explores new ways to treat autistic patients, to train health professionals and to educate the public about this widespread, yet little understood developmental disorder. The bill also looks to enhance the reach and impact of government activities by coordinating overall efforts at the federal, state and local levels, and expediting the conversion of research advances and the latest findings into services and treatments.”

Specifically, the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act would establish:

Autism Care Centers Demonstration Project
Creates a demonstration project to develop Autism Care Centers in order to increase access to quality health care services and communication among healthcare providers, educators, and other providers of services; enable beneficiaries to designate a personal primary care coordinator as a source of contact for a family; and provide a full array of medical, behavioral, mental health, educational and family care services to individuals and families in a single location
 
Adult Services Demonstration Project
Creates a demonstration project to provide an array of services to adults with autism spectrum disorders including: post secondary education, vocational and self advocacy skills, employment; residential services, supports and housing; nutrition, health and wellness; recreational and social activities; and transportation and personal safety
 
Public Education and Awareness Campaign
Develops a national multimedia campaign to increase public education and awareness about healthy developmental milestones and autism throughout the lifespan. Campaigns will be targeted at a general public audience or specific audiences such as medical, criminal justice, or emergency professionals.
 
Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee
Establishes an Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee to coordinate and advise on government activities relating to research, services, and programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  Members will include representatives from relevant governmental agencies (Dept. of Health and Human Services, Dept. of Education, etc) and members representing individuals with autism, parents, service providers, and advocacy groups. 
 
National Network for Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Services
Establishes a National Network in order to strengthen linkages between research and service initiatives at the federal, regional, state and local levels, and facilitate the translation of research on autism into services and treatments that will improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families.  A national data repository will be created to share emerging data, findings, and treatment models. 
 
National Training Initiative
Creates a national training initiative on autism and a technical assistance center to develop and expand interdisciplinary training and continuing education on autism spectrum disorders.
 
Insurance Coverage Requirement
Requires that health insurers cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, other proven effective treatments, and assistive communication devices.

One out of every 150 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder.  The range and severity of symptoms of autism vary from case to case, but symptoms often include difficulties in communicating and interacting with other individuals and exhibiting repetitive behaviors and intense interests in specific subjects.  The care involved in treating these symptoms often requires hours of intensive therapy every week - regimens that are often inaccessible or unaffordable for many families.  With early intervention and concentrated treatment, the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can be mitigated, enabling individuals with autism and their families to participate fully in their communities.

Representatives Doyle and Smith are the co-founders and co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE).

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