Autism Caucus

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Pls find the web site below for those willing to take a stand for the

autism community. I have cut and pasted the text from the web page also

for those you want to read the iinstructions here.

Bob Meyer

http://www.autisminfo.com/caucus.htm

Urge your state representative or senator to join the Autism Caucus and

Become a Voice for the Voiceless

Dear House or Senate Colleague:

Autism, a complex developmental disability that is typically diagnosed

during the first three years of life, affects at least one in every 500

children in America. The disorder is more common than Down Syndrome,

Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, and many forms of childhood cancer.

Autism has robbed at least 500,000 Americans of their ability to

communicate and interact. Many with autism do not speak at all. There is

evidence that autism is increasing, but because the U.S. does not have a

proper, nation-wide tracking program to maintain autism statistics, no

one knows for certain if the increase is a result of more cases of autism

or instead a better understanding of the condition itself.

As you may recall, the Children's Health Act, which became public law

106-310 on Oct 17, 2000, begins to address these problems by creating

several " Centers of Excellence " which will monitor the prevalence of

autism so that Americans may have a better understanding of this

disorder. Nonetheless, much still needs to be done to build upon recent

progress in this area. For too long, autism has been neglected by federal

health, medical, and scientific research programs.

For instance, autism has no cure. We do not know what causes the

disorder. Sadly, there are no diagnostic laboratory tests for autism, and

there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatments for

its symptoms.

In order to improve public awareness of this disorder, we have formed a

needed Congressional Autism Caucus. The Autism Caucus will act as a

bipartisan forum where autism issues-and proposed solutions-can be

debated and discussed. In addition, it will support initiatives that we

believe are vital to our national effort to provide hope and answers to

anxious parents of children with autism. The Autism Caucus will also

generate much needed interest in funding for autism research.

We urge you to become voices for the voiceless, and join the

Congressional Autism Caucus. Information on special Autism Caucus events

will be forthcoming.

To join the caucus, please contact:

Hogan with Representative 's office WASHINGTON, D.C.

2370 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515

phone:

fax:

or

Sharp with Representative Doyle's office 133 Cannon HOB

Washington DC 20515

Phone:

Fax:

Email Mike Doyle

Signed by H. And Mike Doyle

Unlocking Autism State Representative

M. Lassiter

905 Birch ST., N.E.

Leesburg, VA 20176

Email

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