Autism CARES Act signed into law by President Obama

[proverbialwisdom]

Source: By Cristina Rojas | Times of Trenton

August 09, 2014 at 8:33 PM, updated August 09, 2014 at 8:40 PM

Every year, some 50,000 youth with autism come of age in the United States. No one can say for sure what adulthood will hold for them, but legislation signed into law by President Obama Friday will help ease the burden on them and their families.

Known formally as the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act of 2014 (Autism CARES), it was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) and his fellow congressman Mike Doyle (D-Pa.).

The legislation authorizes $1.3 billion over the next five years: $950 million is allocated for research grants; another $110 million will go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue researching the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders; and $340 million will go to early detection, education and intervention.

“And the new law, for the first time, tasks the federal government with examining and anticipating needs for autistic adolescents who are ‘aging out’ of their school-based support and transitioning into adulthood,” said Smith, who authored the original 2000 legislation that helped form the base line of federal autism programs.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2014/08/autism_cares_act_signed_into_law_by_president_obama.html

[E-Z-B]

1. Great news!

[Dr Hobbitstein]

2. As the parent of a child with autism,

this is WONDERFUL news!

[missingthebigdog]

3. This is so awesome

We have three children with autism, two of whom have "aged out" of the school system. There is almost nothing for them.

[msanthrope]

4. Well done! nt

[SummerSnow]

5. Excellent news.

[hollysmom]

6. and in other news Chris Christie vetoed

the special needs law that required the government to continue a level of care when they close and replace special needs centers.

[freshwest]

11. Yes, and I know how devastating that will be.

[hollysmom]

12. Will it matter?, he also seems to want the state to be a dumping ground for fracking waste like Pa.

[freshwest]

17. Dumping vulnerable out of facilities where they get care results in deaths of those who can't fend

for themselves and have no power to stop fracking or anything else. Not all apocalypses hit equally. I can take measures to stop or protect myself. People in facilities can't. I must have misinterpreted the concern in your sig line, which does not mention fracking. What Christie is doing is wrong in either case. But then, people gave him another term and remarkably, he appears to be able to survive all the complaints, and still be seen as a leader. Sorry fr the people of NJ, those who voted for him, not so much, though. EOM.

[hollysmom]

19. I had a cousin with Down's syndrome

And I was too young to appreciate the struggle of the family to keep her out of institutions, but I learned, so I do have concern for people who have cognitive disabilities and try and help when I can, but it also extends to everyone in general. I am a general sympathizer/complainer. I just randomly put different things together as my ADHD randomly selects

let us just say the NJ democrats sold the state down the river. For the most part Christie ran unopposed, there was no support for Buono, so it was like she was not even running.

Edited - I forgot I had that sig line, I don't display them, so...... I will put it back up in a few months when I need volunteers again. It is an annual holiday fund raising, but I do try to be more sympathetic to the children and families of the children with disabilities. One of my volunteers is a mother with a son who has autism, She can appreciate this groups philosophy that it is to achieve acceptance through play and social groups. If you want to volunteer, it is a national group and I can put you in touch with a group near you

[sheshe2]

7. Thank you Mr President! eom

[Cha]

8. thank you, President Obama and thank you, PW!

[littlemissmartypants]

9. This so called "age out" problem

Affects children in the foster care system as well.

I Love My President.
All the best, proverbialwisdom.
Love, Peace and the Righteous Fight. Lmsp

[revmclaren]

10. Would rec 1,000,000 times if I could.

Having an autistic 11 year old and struggling over the years to find help and support I can tell you that any step forward is a blessing.

[Android3.14]

14. This is a good thing

I'm sure many people's childhoods would have been different with the help of early detection.

[sakabatou]

15. Huzzuh!

[wordpix]

16. autism linked to agrotoxins in our food and water

Just did a research study on it. Pesticides linked to all kinds of neurological diseases including ADHD, autism, Parkinson's, etc. They are not safe and 65% of pesticides aren't even tested when they're manufactured and distributed. If you're eating/drinking pesticide laden food and water, your unborn children are at risk.

http://www.panna.org/

[ZombieHorde]

18. Good. nt