research isn't enough

November 24, 2006

Good morning,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I may sound

like a broken record, but the following article that ran in the

Dallas Morning News yesterday really reiterates my message to the

legislators here in WA last week. Please, take time to read it. And

please consider that it's only through effective advocacy that we can

bring about improvements to funding for treatment.

Insurance reform (private insurance as well as Federal insurance's

lack of coverage of treatment for Autism) is an area that requires

much spotlighting. It's also an area that requires participation not

only from consumers (families 0f, and individuals with Autism) but

also providers.

I would love to encourage us all to think ahead and encourage our

providers (Doctors and therapists) to take an active role in getting

federal and private insurance coverage and to identify what the

current obstacles are that.

Thank you for your consideration.

Arzu

Research isn't enough

11:07 AM CST on Thursday, November 23, 2006

With the recent Senate passage of the Combating Autism Act, the House

is now poised to approve landmark legislation to help scientists

understand the causes and characteristics of autism – a spectrum of

neurological disorders affecting more than 1 in 200 U.S. children. If

the House passes the act, the National Institutes of Health and

related research agencies will finally begin to devote the resources

– nearly $200 million a year – commensurate with the prevalence of

this terribly devastating set of conditions.

The research emphasis of the act is appropriate, given how little is

still known about the causes and physiology of autism spectrum

disorders. As parents of a child facing these challenges, we applaud

those lawmakers. But research is not enough. We as a nation must also

begin to focus seriously on treating those children already afflicted.

In America, you have to be lucky or rich to get proper care for your

young autistic child.

For complete article go to

es/DN-garland_23edi.ART.State.Edition1.3e477f7.html

Recommended Posts