FW: ASA-Net (Post Conference Special!)

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ASA-Net

ASA-Net

The Autism Society of America's

E-newsletter

July 31, 2002

Indianapolis Conference Revs Up Autism Community;

High-Level Officials Address Attendees and Vow Support

If you thought they didn't care; if you wondered whether they were

listening; if you wondered when help would come; then wonder no more. Autism

experts, researchers, and high-level officials from across the federal

government came to ASA's 2002 annual conference this July to say they care

and to bring a message of hope to the autism community.

Several high-level government leaders, including U.S. Deputy Secretary

of Health and Human Services Claude , the highest-ranking government

official ever to address an ASA conference, brought this message to

attendees at the 2002 ASA National Conference on Autism. In total, more than

120 experts, researchers, educators, and policymakers offered up the latest

information on the range of issues facing families and caregivers of

individuals with autism, including education, treatments, options for

adults, and the like.

Some 1,500 registrants participated in the five-day conference, which

was held July 17-21, 2002, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Feedback from

participants indicates that this year's conference, entitled " Champions and

Challenges, " offered all who took part - parents, educators, caregivers,

researchers, and chapter leaders - an opportunity to network and learn about

effective ways to deal with autism across the lifespan.

ASA President Lee Grossman provided the opening remarks of the

conference highlighting the tremendous strides the Autism Society of America

and the autism community have made over the past year in awareness, research

funding, and setting a national agenda on autism issues. Mr. Grossman

provided the most up-to-date and eye-opening statistics on autism,

demonstrating that autism is clearly now a " national emergency that has

reached epidemic proportions. "

Secretary gave a heartfelt speech about his commitment to

expanding programs and support for autism. " We are looking at everything

from treatments for symptoms for autism, to genetics, to environmental

factors that may cause the disorder, " Secretary said. " While the

science is important, we have to make sure we are providing services and

tools to families that are living with autism. "

" For those of you who are struggling out there, " he added, " I want you

to know that we are working for you, and we want to work with you to build a

network of services that will improve the lives of families living with

autism. "

Cordero, M.D., M.P.H., U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and

Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National

Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, provided an overview

of the Center's programs, presented information about their prevalence

surveillance programs, which are ongoing, and talked about their efforts to

pursue possible causes of autism through their Centers of Excellence.

Foote, Director of the Division of Neuroscience and Basic

Behavioral Science at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part

of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), spoke about NIH's initiatives in

the area of autism, including a boost in funding to $55 million in 2001 and

the creation of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). Dr.

Foote called the agency, to which ASA President Lee Grossman was appointed

by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy , a " reality check and

a gut check " with respect to autism research and services.

Keynote speaker Attwood, Ph.D., offered insights into the

" continuum of autism " and shared enlightening information about autism and

Asperger's Disorder from his decades of experience in the United States and

abroad. He talked about the different types of behavior of individuals with

Asperger's Disorder, as well as the various pathways that lead to a

diagnosis, including early childhood diagnosis, recognition when enrolled in

school, and diagnosis of a relative.

Keynoter Wakefield, M.D., presented findings of various

research projects that support his theory of a possible between the

Mumps-Rubella-Measles vaccine and autism. While no definitive answers can be

drawn as yet, Dr. Wakefield's presentation offered food for thought for

parents and researchers alike.

Liane Holliday Willy, Ed.D., Jean- Bovee, ASA Board Member

Shore, and Ruth Elaine Hane, shared the stage in a keynote presentation on

their " personal perspectives " on growing up and living with autism.

In addition to these presentations, conference participants had the

opportunity to attend some 100 other seminars and workshops during the

conference, such as the latest work being done by ASA's Panel of

Professional Advisors (PPA), led by Holmes, Ed.D.; trainings and

brainstorming sessions for ASA chapters; the Adults with Autism Town

Meeting; sessions for siblings; and the ever-popular " For Dads Only "

session.

But the conference was not all presentations and seminars. ASA also

offered participants an opportunity to reflect on the good work that is

being done by so many in and outside the autism community. During the

conference, ASA publicly honored the 2002 ASA Awards and Scholarship Program

winners for their tireless work on behalf of individuals with autism.

The ASA also honored another tireless autism advocate, Congressman Dan

Burton (R-IN), at a special " Evening of Champions " dinner. Congressman

Burton, who has a grandson with autism, was honored for his " significant

contributions to improve the lives of Americans with autism. "

More detailed information about the conference presentations and

events will be included in the upcoming issue of our member publication, the

Advocate.

ASA Welcomes New Board Member

The ASA board has a new director, Liz Roth, who was elected this June.

Ms. Roth is a former ASA Board member having served on the board from

1994-1999 where, during her tenure, she served as 2nd Vice President,

Treasurer and as Finance, Awards, Communications and Nominating Committee

Chair. Ms. Roth is also Co-President of the land Montgomery County ASA

Chapter. She has been steadily involved in the local politics scene being an

effective advocate and monitor of idea, adult issues as well as federal and

state judicial matters. In addition to her ASA activities Liz is a founding

director and board member of K.E.E.N., Kids Enjoy Exercise Now.

In addition to Ms. Roth, ASA is pleased to have three incumbent

directors continue their services. Jeff Sell, Pratt and Rick Rollens

were all re-elected for another term.

Highlights from ASA Membership Meeting

ASA held its 2002 annual membership meeting on July 18 at the 2002 ASA

national conference in Indianapolis. Highlights of the meeting included

reports on the ASA election, including the announcement of the winners of

the ASA Board election. ASA program reports for the year were covered in the

annual report, which highlighted that 79% of ASA expenditures go towards ASA

programs, including education, awareness, and advocacy. ASA President Lee

Grossman reviewed a year of many positive changes for the ASA, culminating

in the upcoming membership vote for bylaws changes to support ASA's

reorganization plans (look for your ballots this autumn).

ASA Government Relations staff also presented at the meeting.

Highlights from their presentation included: updates on medical research

with regards to the CDC and NIH. To date, ASA advocacy has led to the

creation of a federal public health program in autism at the CDC. ASA has

also asked NIH to ensure that the Centers for Excellence in Autism continue

to develop and that both the NIMH and National Institute of Child Health and

Human Development (NICHD) continue existing program finding through the next

five years. The report also highlighted the issues related to the

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA) and the -Doyle

Teacher Education for Autistic Children Act of 2000, as well as current

efforts to continue to boost autism awareness in Washington.

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