Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2014

Floor Speech

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I offer my strong support for the Autism CARES Act of 2014, a bill that continues the much-needed research and educational activities related to autism. I strongly support our nation's autistic community; this bill helps to promote and facilitate the good work being done related to autism by federal entities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Autism is a disorder that has a tremendous effect on the lives of the people with it and their families, including challenges with education, communication, and employment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies autism as one of our nation's leading public health crises. An autism-related diagnosis is more common today than the diagnosis of pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. More research on this complex neurobiological disorder is still needed because we do not fully understand the cause or course of this disorder.

The Autism CARES Act of 2014 will facilitate autism research by reauthorizing $190 million annually through 2019. In addition, it focuses attention on the important issue of transitioning autistic youth from school to adulthood. I have heard from constituents with autism about the need to improve the transition of services to consider life after high school graduation to ensure that students are supported as they move to work or higher education. I am well aware of the benefits of services and research dedicated to autism. I am proud that Chicago is home to the Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research run by the Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. The Center provides care and advances research on autism. It provides multiple services--research, training, early intervention, school-to-work transition training, and independent living training--all under one roof. It is an amazing resource for Chicago, Illinois, and the nation. I strongly support this program and any federal efforts to support and expand these services. Therefore, I strongly urge my colleagues to support the Autism CARES Act of 2014.

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