Fecha: Thu, 9 Nov 2006 16:56:36 -0600 (CST)
De: Autism Society of America <asanet@...>
Para: listaautismo@...
Asunto: Election 2006: Implications for Autism

November 10 , 2006 Support ASA This Holiday Season! Election 2006: Implications for Autism Stalled Autism Bill Highlights Funding Rift ASA Promotes Passage of Lifespan Respite Care Act ASA Urges Increased Funding for Social Security Administration UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute's Clinical Implications of Environmental Toxicology for Children's Neurodevelopment in Autism Conference a Huge Success A Silent Pandemic: Industrial Chemicals are Impairing the Brain Development of Children Worldwide (Lancet) Infertility Link to Autism Risk The Autism Advocate: ASA's Premier Magazine on Autism Spectrum Disorders ASA to Serve as Association Partner for 6th Annual National Inclusive Schools Week Feature Article: A Dream Not Denied; Students on the Spectrum (NYT) Feature Article: Willing, Able -- and Unemployable (Washington Post) 2007 National Conference Call for Papers Remains Open Support ASA This Holiday Season As you know, ASA has many exciting initiatives, services and programs to help those with autism live life to the fullest. Safe and Sound, Environmental Health, Living with Autism, Autism Source, advocacy campaigns and incredible local programs in our chapters are just some of the many ways ASA supports all those affected by autism. We need your help to keep this up! Give to ASA this holiday season with your donations and or via our new merchandise selections! Click here to donate! "Art as a Catalyst:" The Gary Rosenthal Collection Artist Gary Rosenthal's gorgeous line of hand crafted, fused glass and metal artwork is back by popular demand! Choose from an assortment of earrings, necklaces, money clips, book marks, Christmas tree ornaments and dreidels. These beautiful handcrafted items will be cherished for years to come. Limited supply available! For more information, contact ASA Administrative Assistant Bianca Bronson at 301-657-0881 ext 129. Cascade Your Home with Fragrant Evergreens Create warm holiday memories this year by ordering fresh, fragrant Pacific Northwest Evergreen products from Cascade Evergreen. Choose from an assortment of mixed wreaths, door swags or holiday center-pieces, perfect for the home or office. Place orders for you, your family and friends, or business associates while helping to support ASA. ASA will receive 15 percent of the total sales from your purchase. Visit www.cascasadereeves.com to order your holiday evergreens. All orders must be placed by November 17 to ensure timely delivery. Be sure to use charity code ASOA when placing orders. For more information contact Bianca Bronson at (301) 657-0881 ext 129. ASA Advocacy Update Election 2006: Implications for Autism ASA's Efforts to Pass Combating Autism Act Continue Election Day 2006 brought a round of changes at all levels of government, as Democrats won control of the House of Representatives and possibly the U.S. Senate (AP and CNN are reporting today that James Webb has won the VA Senate seat), 28 Governor's mansions, full control of 23 state legislatures and partial control of 10 state legislatures. This Democratic wave has broad implications for many health issues, including autism, as Democrats have made health care a centerpiece of their agenda. In the early days of the 110th Congress, the Congress will likely consider legislation related to the reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada, allowing the federal government to negotiate for lower drug costs and efforts to fill the Medicare Part D doughnut hole. With regard to autism, Democrats may try to increase funding for biomedical research, public health programs and education programs. That said, Democrats will be challenged to translate campaign promises into legislative realities. Despite Democratic victories in the House, the margins to enact legislation are very thin. Furthermore, Senate rules requiring a 60 vote majority for most legislative initiatives ensure that health care reforms will have to be bipartisan measures. While it is difficult to predict the direct impact this will have on autism, ASA will be sure to work with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to continue to build support for autism related issues. For a comprehensive analysis of the election and its outcomes, go to: http://www.sonnenschein.com/docs/2006electioninsight.pdf Combating Autism Act Despite the sweeping changes in the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the defeat of Combating Autism Act author Senator Rick Santorum, ASA continues its efforts to enact this critical legislation this year. Thanks to the outpouring of support from autism advocates all over the country, Chairman Barton has approached the autism community to identify a possible compromise on this important legislation. While negotiations are still underway, ASA is hopeful that they will yield a compromise that can be passed during the lame-duck session. ASA is working with Chairman Barton's office and other leaders in the autism community to ensure that a comprehensive, strong and effective bill is enacted. As more information about this potential compromise becomes available, we will be sure to notify ASA's members and supporters. Media Coverage: Stalled Autism Bill Highlights Funding Rift By Jeannie Kever, Houston Chronicle In labs across the country, the increasingly vocal demands for more research into the causes and treatment of autism have been a good thing. "People are convinced it's an important problem to work on," said Dr. Arthur Beaudet, a geneticist at Baylor College of Medicine. "You see it on the covers of magazines and on your TV screens. It's increasing the funding." To read the entire article, in which ASA's Ennvironmental Health Advisory Board Co-chair Dr. Martha Herbert and ASA Director of Chapters and Membership Jeff Sell are quoted, go to: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4307489.html ASA Promotes Passage of Lifespan Respite Care Act Important Legislation to Provide Temporary Relief for Caregivers As previously reported, the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2005 was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and needs to be moved to the House floor for a member vote. This bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to develop respite care programs at the state or local level and to evaluate the effectiveness of such care. The bill defines "respite care" to mean planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver. The bill would also establish the National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care to: 1) maintain a national database on lifespan respite care; 2) provide training and technical assistance to state, community, and nonprofit respite care programs; and 3) provide information, referral, and educational programs to the public on lifespan respite care. Research on families of minor and adult children with disabilities, including autism, indicates that one of the most sought after services is respite care. It allows caregivers to take a break from their caregiving duties to attend to sibling needs, the health of their marriage, and to themselves. ASA supports the Lifespan Respite Care Act and encourages families of individuals with autism to actively promote its passage with their Senators and Representatives. Press on the links to see a sample letter to the editor, a list of the bills’ cosponsors, and state-by-state numbers of family caregivers and the dollar amount of uncompensated care they provide released by the National Family Caregivers Association. ASA Urges Increased Funding for Social Security Administration Services for Those with Autism Affected ASA signed on to a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) letter to William H. Frist (R-TN), Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV), Minority Leader, Thad Cochran (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and Robert Byrd (D-WV), Ranking Minority Member, requesting that the Senate provide at least the President’s budget request of $9.494 billion for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) and that the Senate remove SSA’s LAE from the discretionary budget caps. SSA’s funding level of $9.093 billion, included in the Senate Committee Report of the FY 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, is $401 million less than the President’s request. This cut would exacerbate reductions in fiscal year 2006 when SSA’s budget was $294 million less than requested by the President for that year. If the $401 million cut for FY 2007 is passed, Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart has indicated that SSA will need to take a number of significant actions including: Closing of local SSA offices nationwide Increasing serious delays for individuals Reducing the number of continuing disability reviews (CDRs) Services to individuals with autism and other disabilities would be hampered by such actions. The letter urged the Senate to appropriate the additional $401 million and to remove SSA’s budget authority from discretionary spending caps. ASA Research Update UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute's Clinical Implications of Environmental Toxicology for Children's Neurodevelopment in Autism Conference a Huge Success Conference Looked at Environmental Toxins' Role in Autism Concern is increasing that environmental toxins may play a significant role in abnormal neurodevelopment and may be associated with mental disorders in children. The UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute's Clinical Implications of Environmental Toxicology for Children's Neurodevelopment in Autism Conference described evidence for this association, offered potential interventions to treat and protect children and discussed effective interventions to help remove neurotoxicants from our environment. Speakers included some of the most reputable and respected researchers and clinicians in the country who work with children who have or are at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Susan Swedo, M.D., from the National Insitutes of Health; Robert Hendren, D.O., executive director of the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute; Mady Hornig, M.D., M.A., associate professor of epidemiology and director of translational research in the Jerome L. and Dawn Greene Infectious Disease Laboratory at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; Martha Herbert, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in neurology, Harvard Medical School; Isaac Pessah, Ph.D., director of the Center for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention at UC Davis; and others. Additionally, there were nationally recognized presenters from the environmental health field, such as Michael Lerner, Ph.D., president of Commonweal, a health and environmental research institute in California; Herb Needleman, M.D., professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and Elise Miller, M.Ed., executive director of the Institute for Children’s Environmental Health. "This was a historic conference as it presented the research, clinical and treatment data in a credible, professional format addressing this important issue as it relates to Autism," said ASA President and CEO Lee Grossman, who also spoke at the ASA-co-sponsored conference. "We hope to also take the information presented and make it available in a 'turn key' format for our chapters to use in their local community advocacy and educational efforts." Harvard School of Public Health Review: A Silent Pandemic: Industrial Chemicals are Impairing the Brain Development of Children Worldwide Boston, MA -- Fetal and early childhood exposures to industrial chemicals in the environment can damage the developing brain and can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs)--autism, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), and mental retardation. Still, there has been insufficient research done to identify the individual chemicals that can cause injury to the developing brains of children. In a new review study, published online in The Lancet on November 8, 2006, and in an upcoming print issue of The Lancet, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine systematically examined publicly available data on chemical toxicity in order to identify the industrial chemicals that are the most likely to damage the developing brain. Lee Grossman, ASA President and CEO, was interviewed on this review and his experience as a parent of a child with autism by ABC-7 Washington (WJLA) on November 8. To read the entire article, go to: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-11/hsop-asp110306.php BBC News: Infertility Link to Autism Risk Couples with fertility problems are three times more likely to have a child with serious conditions like autism and cerebral palsy, research suggests. The extra risk is likely to be caused by health problems that make it difficult for these couples to conceive in the first place, scientists believe. Fertility treatments, such as IVF, may contribute too, an American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting heard. But the experts stressed the overall risk was still relatively low. To read the entire article, go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6086824.stm ASA Education Update The Autism Advocate: ASA's Premier Magazine on Autism Spectrum Disorders The 5th edition of the Autism Advocate is currently in production, a special issue on environmental health and autism. The first publication of its kind, this issue convenes pre-eminent researchers and professionals to discuss the spectrum of environmental impacts on autism. Don't let your friends and family miss this great issue! Forward the link below and get them informed! Already a member? Go to www.autism-society.org/magazine to read the Autism Advocate online. ASA to Serve as Association Partner for 6th Annual National Inclusive Schools Week, December 4-8, 2006 Week Celebrates Progress of Nation's Schools in Providing Services to Students with Disabilities National Inclusive Schools Week highlights and celebrates the progress of our nation's schools in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students with disabilities, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and English language learners. The Week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. ASA will serve as an association partner of this year's National Inclusive Schools Week. For more information about the Week and what you can do, go to: http://www.inclusiveschools.org ASA PPA Member Barbara Becker Cotrill and Marshall University featured in New York Times Education Article: A Dream Not Denied; Students on the Spectrum By Abigail Sullivan Moore Valerie Kaplan has an aptitude for math, and scored a perfect 1600 on her SAT. When her high school classmates applauded the announcement at lunch, she was pleased. But less obvious signals — a raised eyebrow or impatient glance at a watch — elude her. In an advanced course at Carnegie Mellon called “Building Virtual Worlds,” that problem caused classmates to sideline her in group projects. And during a critical meeting to win approval for her customized major, electronic art, she intently circled the freckles on her arm with a marker. Miss Kaplan’s behavioral quirks are agonizingly familiar to students with an autism spectrum disorder. Simply put, their brains are wired differently. Children with classic autism have language delays or deficits and difficulty relating to others; they display rigid, often obsessive behaviors; deviation from routine disturbs them. Some are mentally retarded. Those with milder conditions on the spectrum — Asperger’s is one of them — exhibit some or all of these characteristics to lesser degrees. But Asperger’s is also distinguished by average or above average intelligence, an early acuity with language and singular passions — Miss Kaplan, for example, has absorbed every detail of an animated 90’s television series called “ReBoot.” People like Miss Kaplan have a disability, but to others they can seem merely gifted, or difficult, or odd. To read the entire article, click here Washington Post: Willing, Able -- and Unemployable By Ann Bauer My 18-year-old son shambles. There's no other word for it. He walks like an old man: scraping the soles of his feet on the floor, tilting his head to one side and tucking it into the space between his neck and shoulder. What's more, he's mammoth. At 6-foot-3, with at least two inches of moppy hair, he towers over nearly everyone he meets. Because of a penchant for sugary coffee drinks and Qdoba's 3-Cheese Nachos with grilled sirloin, which he buys with the money his grandparents send him, he weighs around 250 pounds. But these are the least of my worries. Today, what I fret about most is the fact that after two years of submitting applications, taking tests and going in for interviews, he cannot get a job. To read the entire article, go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/29/AR2006102900544.html ASA Conferences Update 2007 National Conference Call for Papers Remains Open ASA's 2007 National Conference theme, "Together a Brighter Tomorrow," reflects our belief that success will be achieved with all affected by autism -- individuals, families, professionals and friends -- working together. During this conference, to be held in Phoenix, AZ, July 11-14, 2007, ASA will bring together experts from various disciplines with the creative ideas and energy to address the diverse challenges individuals with autism and their families face. Our goal is to provide conference attendees with the opportunity to learn from innovators and access critical information to improve their lives and those of the people they love, treat and inspire. With collaboration and armed with knowledge, ASA is sure that there will be a "brighter tomorrow" for the autism community. Submit your abstract/paper for consideration to speak at ASA's 38th National Conference: http://asa.confex.com/asa/2007/cfp.cgi ASA Director of Chapters and Membership Jeff Sell recently attended and spoke at the World Autism Congress in Capetown, South Africa. A write-up about the Congress will be available on the ASA Web site, www.autism-society.org, in the next week. Autism Resources Looking for autism resources? ASA's Autism Source does the work for you with this searchable online directory where families and professionals can find beneficial services and supports in their local communities. Visit http://www.autismsource.org/ for all your local autism resource needs! Of Interest... Are you a scientist, engineer, IT professional, or mathematician with a sensory, mobility, learning, or other disability? The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) invites you to participate in the Resource Directory of Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities, 4th Edition.  This Directory is used by the National Science Foundation and other government agencies, universities, corporations, students, parents, counselors, and the media, to recruit peer-reviewers, mentors, consultants, and speakers. Find out more and how to participate by going to http://ehrweb.aaas.org/resource or email Tesa Leon at tleon@.... The Council for Exceptional Children's "Yes I Can!" Awards is now open. The "Yes I Can!" Awards recognize children with disabilities, ages 3 - 21, who excel in nine categories: Arts, Academics, Athletics, Community Service, Employment, Extracurricular Activities, Independent Living Skills, Self-Advocacy and Technology. Nominate your students with disabilities who excel for a "Yes I Can!" Award at http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AboutCEC/YesICanFoundation/yesicandetails.htm. Nominations are due Nov. 20, 2006.

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