Cure Autism Now and ATN to Merge Operations

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Cure Autism Now and Autism Treatment Network to Merge Operations

Cure Autism Now and the Autism Treatment Network are merging operations to

strengthen and accelerate their efforts to advance a standard of care for autism

and related disorders. A memorandum of understanding has been accepted by both

organizations with the board of directors of CAN and ATN unanimously supporting

the merger. As a combined organization, ATN will become a program in Cure Autism

Now’s clinical research portfolio.

“Autism is a national health crisis and it’s a tragedy that there is no

standard of care available to individuals who struggle with the myriad

challenges associated with the disorder,” says Bell, president and CEO of

Cure Autism Now. “Families should no longer be told ‘There’s nothing you can do

to treat your child’s autism.’ Autism can be treated and we must develop

evidence-based standards and ultimately a medical home so that their quality of

life is maximized in every way.”

Cure Autism Now and ATN share a commitment to the biomedical treatment of

autism and a belief that a better quality of life is possible for those affected

by this developmental brain disorder. The two organizations expect to conclude

due diligence and final board approvals by Nov. 30. ATN will then become a

fully-funded clinical research program of Cure Autism Now, joining the Autism

Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) and Clinical Trials Network (CTN).

“ATN is a collaborative of leading centers in autism treatment. The centers

share information and successful practices to create and continually improve a

standard of care for autism,” says M. Perrin, M.D., professor of

Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and director of the Division of General

Pediatrics and the Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy at the

MassGeneral Hospital for Children and an ATN board member. “We looked at the

successes of other disease research and treatment models, such as childhood

cancers and cystic fibrosis, and dedicated ourselves to developing a network of

physicians and scientists that would share discoveries and collaborate on

solutions.”

ATN is working toward evidence-based practice parameters for the biomedical

treatment of individuals affected by autism and related disorders; establishing

and supporting a community of engaged physicians, clinicians, researchers and

families; providing collaborative opportunities for careful evaluation of new

treatment approaches; creating a shared, standardized national database; and

promoting healthcare reform in the realm of autism treatment.

The boards of both Cure Autism Now and ATN, together with their founders, are

thrilled to announce the merger. The new structure will greatly facilitate

access to a multidisciplinary network of practitioners that will offer

state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and treatment services for autism as well as

provide critical infrastructure to investigate and validate new therapies. For

more information about ATN, visit www.AutismTreatmentNetwork.org.

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M. Guppy

Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

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in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education. Everyone

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