FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             CONTACT: John Donnelly
October 6, 2009                                                                                               (202) 225-2276

Legislation Seeks To Convene Conference Before 2011, Explore Federal Policy Options

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05) introduced the "White House Conference on Autism Act of 2009" [HR 3703] last week. The legislation calls for the White House to convene a conference on autism before 2011 for the purpose of exploring policy options to address the increasing rate of Americans with an autism spectrum disorder. Rep. Burton issued the following statement after introducing the bill:

"In a study released yesterday, the journal Pediatrics found that 1 in 100 children in America have an autism spectrum disorder--an increase from the commonly referenced 1 in 150 estimate established in 2003. This finding is extraordinary and naturally implies that the highest levels of the U.S. government need to develop a plan for assisting a generation of millions who have an autism-related disorder.

"I have introduced legislation that calls on the White House to take swift action before the year 2011, and convene a conference on autism with the brightest, most informed minds on the issue. My hope is that the conference will develop effective policy options for the Federal and State levels of government so that public services can be improved and prepared for meeting the special needs of millions.

"I was pleased to read that Dr. Illeana Arias, the deputy director of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, recently said, 'A concerted effort and substantial national response is warranted' in response to the growing autism epidemic. The conference I'm proposing would, ideally, capture the attitude of Dr. Arias and instill a sense of sincere urgency throughout the various levels of American government."

Background:
Below is a copy of the "Dear Colleague" letter Rep. Burton sent to Members of the House as he sought cosponsors for the legislation:

Dear Colleague:

As many of you know, autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries; family income levels; lifestyle choices; or educational levels, and can affect any family and any child.

About 20 years ago, autism was considered a rare disease, affecting about 1 in 10,000 children. Now, that rate is about 1 in 150; making
autism more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise. According to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at an astronomical rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, experts estimate that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade. Currently, autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, but this figure is expected to significantly increase in the next decade.

This literal epidemic of autism is a looming and immediate economic crisis to our education system, our health care systems, our long-term housing and care system for the disabled, and especially to an ever increasing number of families across the country. Autism is a condition that can be treated to a degree but it has no known cure; which means that this is a crisis that is simply not going to ``go away.''

I believe that our Nation's educational, labor, housing, law enforcement and medical communities are currently ill-equipped and undertrained to handle this lost generation of autistic individuals and that it is going to take a national commitment driven from the highest levels to marshal the necessary resources and energy to catch up. That is why I plan to introduce legislation (click on the highlighted link to view the bill text) to require the President to call, not later than December 31, 2010, a White House Conference on Autism. I urge you to join the fight and become an original co-sponsor of this critically important  legislation.

Sincerely,
DAN BURTON
Member of Congress

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