Smith, Doyle Announce $8 Million for Federal Autism Research

Washington, DC – U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (NJ-4) and Mike Doyle (PA-14) today announced that on Thursday, the House approved funding for a critical DOD research program that assists military families with children who suffer from autism spectrum disorders .

Smith and Doyle, co-chairs of the bipartisan Coalition on Autism Research and Education (CARE) who worked to secure funding for the program, said that $8 million has been earmarked in the “FY09 Defense Appropriations Act” (H.R. 3326) for a research account in the Defense Health Programs for the sole purpose of improving treatment and intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).  The federal research will be shared with other federal autism efforts. The bill passed the House 400-30.

 “By their nature, military families face touch challenges and sacrifices as they cope with the rigors and stress of deployments and warfare,” said Smith. “But military families who also have an autistic child are under tremendous pressure. Americans and the Congress have an obligation to our servicemen, servicewomen and their families to ease their burdens—including and especially—assisting military families care for children with special needs.”

 “Our men and women in uniform make many sacrifices for their country, and so do their families,” Doyle observed.  “They deserve all the support we can give them.  This research funding will help our military personnel and their families by improving the care that family members with autism receive.”

 The DOD autism program was created by a provision in the FY07 Defense Appropriations Act” (P.L. 109-289) authored by Smith and Doyle.

Research directed by the DOD program will not only help the estimated 12,000 military children currently affected by autism, but will also benefit the general autism population as new findings and techniques will be shared with the medical, educational, healthcare and service professionals who serve the needs of the autism community both within the DOD and beyond.

“The extremely high prevalence of autism in our country requires a comprehensive, national effort,” said Smith. “DOD’s research will not only help military families with autistic children, but will expand our knowledge of this disease, opening up new possibilities of new, more effective treatments. What is learned through the program will be shared with the general population so that all can benefit.”
            
 “The research done by DoD will also benefit civilian families dealing with autism,” Doyle said.  “I’m very pleased that this Autism Caucus initiative has been successful.  The Coalition on Autism Research and Education will continue its efforts to advance our knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorders, develop more effective treatments, and ensure that families dealing with autism get the support they need.”

The Coalition on Autism Research and Education (CARE), headed by Smith and Doyle, and has been credited with helping to significantly increase federal funding for autism initiatives. For instance, funding for autism programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has increased from about $287,000 in 1995 to $18 million in 2009. During that same period autism funding at the National Institutes of Health increased from $10.5 million in 1995 to $118 million in 2009.

Smith, Doyle and the members of CARE are committed to continuing this trend, especially in light of rising ASD prevalence numbers. The CDC has released groundbreaking data documenting the high prevalence of ASDs around the country. As a result of this landmark study, it is now believed that 1 out of every 150 children born in the United States suffers from an ASD, as classified by the CDC. 

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