以下、署名文です。 I urge you to support S. 843, the Combating Autism Act of 2005, when it comes before the U.S. Senate in the coming weeks. This important legislation would dramatically improve our federal investment in autism research, early detection, and intervention.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects an individual in the areas of social interaction and communication. Children and adults with autism are often unable to communicate, have difficulty with social interaction, and, in some cases, may be aggressive or self-injurious.
This serious condition affects more than 1.5 million Americans, and autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the Autism Society of America (ASA) estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade. Furthermore, recent estimates have put the economic burden of this disability on the American economy at as much as $90 billion per year.
Despite the serious physical, emotional, and economic impact of autism, there is still much we don't know about this serious condition. Autism is often undiagnosed, leading to significant delay in treatment and intervention. Furthermore, there is a great need for additional research into treatments, diagnostics, and causes of autism.
The Combating Autism Act is a critical piece of legislation that addresses this problem by authorizing more than $1 billion in federal funding for autism related research, early detection, and intervention. This legislation was passed by Unanimous Consent by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee on June 19th, and will likely come to the Senate floor prior to the August recess.
We urge you to cosponsor this legislation, and work with the Senate Leadership to ensure that it is passed by Unanimous Consent before the August break.