The number of U.S. children diagnosed with autism has skyrocketed from 1 in 10,000 in 1993 to 1 in 150 in 2007. It's unknown yet the extent to which that represents an expanded epidemic and the extent to which it simply represents changes in diagnosis. In either case, though, very large number of Americans and their families are affected by autism.
Clinton's plan, released today, calls for about $700 million a year to address autism through the following initiatives:
Expanding research to identify causes of autism and monitoring its impact across the country
Creating an Autism Task Force charged with investigating evidence-based treatments, interventions, and services
Providing planning and demonstration grants for services for adults
Improving access to post-diagnosis care
Providing teacher training
Creating a National Technical Assistance Center
Guaranteeing quality, affordable health care
Some of these initiatives had been announced previously by her campaign, such as her health care plan and her plan to double funding for the National Institute of Health (NIH). Others are new including creating Centers of Excellence in Autism Specrum Disorder Epidemiology, investigating possible environmental causes of autism, creating a national task force to provide recommendations on treatments, interventions, and services, and establishing state-based demonstration grants.
All in all, it's a comprehensive plan that deals with identification of causes, post-diagnosis treatment, new teacher training initiatives, and enhanced treatment of adults.
The plan demonstrates excellent knowledge of the precise issues required to address this problem. For example, with large numbers of children with autism entering schools, the teacher training initiative is especially important. Similarly, aspects of the plan that emphasize early intervention are consistent with everything we know about the value of addressing autism as early as possible.
As far as I know, no other presidential candidate has ever put forth such a comprehensive plan to address the challenge of autism. It speaks to many of the concerns of those of us in the autism community.
Autism experts and organizations spoke up loudly and clearly on behalf of the plan:
"The Autism Society of America welcomes Senator Clinton's integrated plan to support Americans with autism and their families throughout their lives. The United States is facing ballooning annual costs for a medical condition that is identified too late and treated incompletely. The investment our nation makes today in early identification, services and support will create opportunities for these individuals to contribute meaningfully in our society--as is their right. Senator Clinton's plan is a very important step in that direction.- Lee Grossman, President and CEO, Autism Society of America.
"Senator Clinton’s proposal is a comprehensive plan that will help children and adults living with autism and their families today and in the future. It’s not enough to support research aimed at finding the cause and cure for autism spectrum disorders. We must also increase the availability of services to help meet the needs of people with autism today." -James E. Williams, Jr., President and CEO, Easter Seals
"Recognizing the autism epidemic as a national public health priority deserving of Presidential attention, Senator Hillary Clinton today endorsed and detailed a number of policy positions long-supported by Autism Speaks and its predecessor organizations and long-needed by the many American families facing the challenge of autism." - Autism Speaks
The plan builds off of Hillary's lengthy history of commitment to issues effecting children, education, and public health. As Senator, she cosponsored the Combating Autism Act and introduced the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act. She has consistently supported full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, through which children with autism and other disabilities are eligible to receive special education services.
Her comprehensive plan on autism released today reconfirms that Hillary has the best understanding of, and the strongest commitment to, issues of concern to children and adults with special needs. I am proud to cast my vote for someone who I know will do her best to protect and defend the interests of my son and of all those with special needs in our society.
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