Combating Autism Act of 2006

COMBATING AUTISM ACT OF 2006 -- (House of Representatives - December 06, 2006)

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of S. 843, the Combating Autism Act of 2006.

Today, many American children suffer from autism spectrum disorders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that between two in 1,000 to five in 1,000 children are classified as having an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. Whether this increase is due to a true increase in prevalence or whether it is due to changes in assessment standards, it is clear that ASDs are the second most common serious developmental disability after mental retardation or intellectual impairment.

According to the CDC, autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities characterized by significant impairments in social interaction and communication and the presence of atypical behaviors and interests. It is important that we treat common developmental disabilities, and especially autism, as conditions of urgent public health concern, and the Combating Autism Act of 2006 certainly moves in that direction.

Mr. Speaker, this bill would authorize the award of grants and contracts to establish centers of excellence on autism spectrum disorder and to collect, analyze and report State epidemiological data on autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. It would also provide culturally competent information on developmental disabilities to increase awareness of developmental milestones, promote disabilities research, encourage early screening and provide early diagnosis and interventions for individuals diagnosed with such disabilities.

A major theme of the bill is coordination and planning. This bill would authorize a strategic plan to be developed and implemented to guide Federal efforts in autism spectrum disorder research. It would also authorize the designation of an interagency autism coordinating committee to coordinate HHS efforts concerning autism spectrum disorder, make recommendations concerning a strategic plan for autism, develop and update advances in research, and make recommendations regarding public participation in the various autism programs.

The Combating Autism Act of 2006 has bipartisan support, and it has the support of numerous national, State and local autism-focused stakeholder organizations, including Autism Now, Autism Speaks, Cure Autism Now and the Autism Society of America.

The bill before us is an affirmative step toward addressing the serious health issue of autism spectrum disorders and toward ensuring all children are able to reach their full potential. I urge all of my colleagues to join me, along with these stakeholder groups, in supporting this potentially life-saving legislation.

I would also like to thank Representatives BONO and DEGETTE for all their hard work and dedication that they have devoted to this issue.

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