The Autism Society of America has queried both Barack Obama and John McCain on their stance on autism. Here are a few snippets from the official statements:

Barack Obama’s Statement on Autism

That’s why I am committed to increasing federal funding for autism research and treatment to $1 billion annually by the end of my first term in office. I also believe that we should increase funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to truly ensure that no child is left behind.

John McCain’s Statement on Autism

But beyond the school system, we must ensure that individuals with autism have the services and supports they need throughout their lifespan. I’m sure that many of you today are wondering what will happen once the school bus stops coming. We must ensure that individuals with autism have the supports they need to find employment, housing, transportation, and other services they need to be productive, independent, and contributing members to their communities and to our great country.

Kudos to Obama for looking at the educational concerns and McCain for supporting adult autistics. More can be read in the links above.

The following action alert was sent out by the Autism Speaks Arizona office. If you know of a family in Arizona who is receiving services through the Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) please point them to Autism News Direct so that they may take action to secure funding for their children.

The state budget (bill 2620) that was passed into law for fiscal year 2008 lacks protection against cuts to DDD funding which can jeopardize funding to autism treatments. What this means is that funds that are allocated to the DDD can be used to fill in deficits in other areas of the state’s budget. However, we know that early intensive intervention is essential for children with autism and since the DDD is the major funding source for such treatment, budget cuts of this nature would be devastating to the autism community. On behalf of the many children and families who are affected by autism, we ask that you please contact your legislators and urge them to protect DDD funding.
(more…)

On February 14, Autism News Direct reported that the Arizona Autism Insurance Billhad passed its first hurdle by making it out of committee.  I am happy to report that as of this week, a little over 30 days from moving out of committee, the Arizona Autism Insurance Bill has been passed and signed into law by Governor Janet Napolitano.  This piece of legislation did not have its adversaries.  Insurance companies, small business owners, corporations, and even the Arizona Chamber of Commerce opposed the initial wording of the bill.  The claims were made that insurance premiums would increase across the state if this legislation were to be enacted and that some companies would no longer be able to offer insurance coverage as a result of the bill. 

There are some specific mandates that were written into the bill.  These include a limit of the requirement to employer-purchased plans in firms with more than 50 employees, a cap of $50,000 per year for children through age eight and a cap of $25,000 per year for children aged nine through 16.  An important part of this legislation is that it will cover children with Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS in addition to autistic disorder.  Currently, the State of Arizona’s Department of Developmental Disabilities provides no funding for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS leaving their parents to foot the hefty bills for therapy and other interventions.

As 24 states gear up for the Super Tuesday primaries tomorrow, the Autism Society of America has sent out an email to all of its members reminding voters to look at the presidential candidate’s plans for autism research, treatment, etc.  The ASA created a questionnaire for candidates to fill out but only former candidate John Edwards responded.  The ASA points members to the following websites for information on the candidates’ positions on autism issues.

Hillary Clinton’s Plan to Help Children And Families Affected By Autism

Barack Obama’s Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities

American Association of People with Disabilities Summary of Candidate Responses

Advocates for Children’s Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning

Every Child Matters’ Presidential Election Watch