August 4, 2006
ASA Action Alert to the Senate Yields Tremendous Response
On July 27, 2006 and August 3, 2006, ASA sent out "Action Alerts" asking our constituents and their friends, families and colleagues to write their Senators to pass S. 843, the "Combating Autism Act." The response was overwhelming. In just five days, Senators received over tens of thousands of messages encouraging their sponsorship of this landmark bill. We thank all our our members, chapters, friends and colleagues who helped out this successful measure. On to the Congress next!!!
"Combating Autism Act" Passes U.S. Senate by Unanimous ConsentThank Your Co-Sponsors Today
On August 3, 2006, the U.S. Senate passed S. 843, the "Combating Autism Act," shortly before recessing. This comprehensive legislation contains many important provisions to strengthen autism research, including a renewed investment into basic and clinical research, expanded research into the link between environmental factors and autism, and continued investigations into causation, diagnosis, early detection and treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
The Combating Autism Act is the first disease-specific legislation passed out of the HELP Committee in more than six years,?said ASA President and CEO Lee Grossman. We look forward to working with our Senate sponsors and our champions in the House of Representatives to see this bill through to the President's desk.?
The bill now goes to the House for consideration in September. Please alert your representatives of this bill and urge them to co-sponsor it. Attend your town hall meetings and e-mail them today.
For more information on the bill, visit http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=jrTmbFinO3tU95l4F-C1OA... For details on the bill, please visit http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=E6Yfp4W3fSDggUH5pBZ8Dw.. and search "S.843."
ASA greatly appreciates the leadership of Senator Enzi, Chair of the HELP Committee, Sen. Kennedy, ranking minority leader of the Health Committee, and chief co-sponsors Sens. Santorum and Dodd. We also wish to thank the staffs of Sens. Santorum and Dodd and the HELP committee for their tireless work.
We encourage you to thank these co-sponsors to this important bill!
Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT]Sen Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [DE] Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] Sen Burr, Richard [NC] Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] Sen Chafee, Lincoln [RI] Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] Sen Cochran, Thad [MS] Sen Coleman, Norm [MN] Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] Sen Cornyn, John [TX] Sen Corzine, Jon S. [NJ] Sen Dayton, Mark [MN] Sen DeWine, Mike [OH] Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] Sen Domenici, Pete V. [NM] Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] Sen Enzi, Michael B. [WY] Sen Frist, William H. [TN] Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] Sen Hutchison, Kay Bailey [TX] Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] Sen Isakson, Johnny [GA] Sen Jeffords, James M. [VT] Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [LA] Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] Sen McCain, John [AZ] Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] Sen Murray, Patty [WA] Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] Sen Pryor, Mark L. [AR] Sen Reed, Jack [RI] Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] Sen Sarbanes, Paul S. [MD] Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] Sen Sununu, John E. [NH] Sen Talent, Jim [MO] Sen Thune, John [SD] Sen Vitter, David [LA]
U.S Department of Education Issues New Rules on Schools and Disability ASA Invited to Discuss Regulations
ASA President and CEO Lee Grossman and new Director of Communications Marguerite Colston attended a press briefing yesterday unveiling the regulations for the IDEA legislation, which was reauthorized in 2004. In a significant departure from prior regulations, the Department of Education stated that states could not rely on the "discrepancy model" to determine eligibility for services, but must look into response to intervention and other factors.
ASA has been invited by the Department of Education staff to further discuss these important regulations. For detailed information on the new federal regulations, please visit: http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=_sLNIvuxwCH-rOdJzB60xQ..
Autism News and Announcements
To keep our membership informed on the latest autism news, ASA has compiled a list of recent articles and announcements that have appeared in the news over the past two weeks.
A Can-Do Approach to Autistic Children and AthleticsInside autism: Mysterious disorder isolates children, familiesDifferent Genes May Cause Autism In Boys And GirlsAutistic man dies after struggle
Visit http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=gJAMCm95dZosR85iQYoSbQ.. for more articles
The Autism Advocate: ASA's Premier Magazine on Autism Spectrum Disorders
The following article appeared in the March 2006 issue of the Autism Advocate, ASA's premier magazine on autism spectrum disorders. By joining ASA, you will receive this publication that will regularly provide you with timely information and articles on autism written by leaders in field. To join ASA and receive the Autism Advocate in full, along with ASA's many other benefits, go to http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=bwCLdxVogy-Il4GuLqAExw...
Read article: "Autism and First Response - Working with our Hometown Heroes"
Already a member? Go to http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=DgxLA6ZhAMMrdk5CUVQxLw.. to read the Autism Advocate online.
Conference News & Notes
National Safe & Sound Training Series Minneapolis, MN August 26-27, 2006
ASA’s first of many National Safe and Sound trainings will begin in a few short weeks in Minneapolis, MN. The trainings will focus on: the definition of autism and common behaviors and characteristics; autism recognition and first response; public safety issues; criminal justice issues; initial contact options; establishing communications; behavioral de-escalation techniques; restraint and arrest options; and much, much more. This training can help law enforcement and first response agencies to become compliant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), increase officer and citizen safety, enhance officer communication and response skills, save valuable time and resources, avoid litigation, and build community partnerships.
Please note: The training is appropriate for patrol and investigative law enforcement professionals, law enforcement training officers and supervisors, school resource officers, crisis intervention team members, juvenile justice and victims rights specialists, correctional officers, prosecutors, judicial and forensic criminal justice professionals, fire-rescue, 911 dispatch telecommunications professionals, EMS/EMT, paramedics and emergency room professionals.
For more information, http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=HJthhucNQazCKuf2-ZxxHg..
So you missed ASA's 37th National Conference in 2006? Start thinking ahead to 2007!
ASA’s 38th National Conference & Exposition on Autism Spectrum Disorders will be held in Phoenix, AZ, July 11-14, 2007. Stay tuned for conference promotions and information on ASA’s Web site, http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=94-UQS-mATISTqKPnZ6wGA.., and in the Autism Advocate and ASA-Net.
Or…experience the 37th National Conference even if you were unable to be there in person (or if you missed sessions you wanted to see and hear) by ordering online access to recordings or a DVD-ROM recording of most of the sessions presented in Providence. For more information, http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=MG2HmKEzUP8pu-7acRQLEA..