Filter Results for "Autism"

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

###

Burton is recognized for his involvement in finding aide for Autism.  The Bloomington Alternative article by Steven Higgs mentions below:

As clinical director at an IU School of Medicine autism treatment center, Naomi Swiezy is, by nature, a goal-oriented health-care practitioner. A researcher as well as a behavioral psychologist, her focus is on “research-based, empirically supported” approaches to treating the pervasive developmental disorder.

She contacted McDougle, who shared her vision of a multidisciplinary approach to treating autism, and she joined his clinic in 1998, adding a behavioral component to the treatment regimen. McDougle ascended to the position of chairman of the Department of Psychiatry in 2000. The clinic transformed into the Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center and moved to Riley in 2002.

Named after the autistic grandson of U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, R-Indianapolis, the Sarkine Center is one of the three largest facilities of its kind in the United States. The move to Riley and an accompanying expansion of services was underwritten by $1.8 million in federal funds that Burton secured.

The center’s Mission Statement declares: “Services are provided to individuals across the autism spectrum, including individuals of all ages, language abilities, and overall developmental levels. The general goal is to help children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders to achieve their potential and to participate as fully as possible in family, school, and community life.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2008	CONTACT:  CLARK G. REHME (202) 225-2276
CONGRESSMAN DAN BURTON HONORED AT "GREEN OUR VACCINES" RALLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
(Washington, D.C.) – Today Congressman Dan Burton [R-IN-05] was presented with an award by the "Green Our Vaccines" campaign in appreciation for his endless commitment, courage and fight for safer vaccines for all children.  Burton stated, "As a grandparent of a child with autism, I am proud to be recognized by such well-respected, hard-working organizations like Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), Generation Rescue, the HEAL Foundation, and Mothers Against Mercury. I am proud to join these organizations in their fight to remove all toxins from children’s vaccines. Many in the scientific community believe there is a link between childhood vaccines, especially those containing the mercury-based preservative Thimerosal, and autistic symptoms.  Progress has been made to remove Thimerosal from many children’s vaccines and improve their safety, but more needs to be done."   "We need to not only eliminate all toxins from our children's vaccines, but also Congress needs to enact legislation commissioning a Federal study to compare the instance of autism and other neurological disorders in vaccinated versus unvaccinated children.  Let’s make the "Comprehensive Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations Act" (H.R. 2832) a reality.  The bill is simple and straightforward.  It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct or support a comprehensive study comparing total health outcomes, including risk of autism, in vaccinated populations in the United States with such outcomes in unvaccinated populations in the United States, and for other purposes.  I’d also like to see all children’s vaccinations be available in single-shot vials.  This would remove the need for preservatives, as well as reduce the risk of spreading potential infections. "Autism is a political issue - not just a scientific and medical one," continued Burton. "Autism is reaching epidemic proportions, and even if starting today there were no new cases of autism diagnosed we still face huge challenges ahead in terms of handling the long-term educational, housing and health care needs of the millions of American kids currently struggling with this condition." A recent study reports that about one in 150 American children has autism- a fact which shows both how common autism is and why funding is desperately needed for autism research and services. There is currently no known cure for autism, however, better understanding of the disorder has led to the development of better coping mechanisms and strategies for the various manifestations of the disability.  Concluded Burton, "As long as I am in Congress, I will continue to fight for safer vaccines and more autism research. America’s children deserve nothing less." ###

Good afternoon friends.

As you may know, no one has ever identified a positive health benefit to Mercury in the human body. Thus, it was sound public health policy to eliminate Mercury from thermometers, blood pressure gauges, light switches, cosmetics, teething powder, horse liniment, hat-making materials, smokestack emission, and mining operations. It would also be sound public health policy to eliminate Mercury from all vaccines.

That is why I am pleased to announce the United Methodist Church has become the first faith community to oppose the use of mercury, in any form, including Thimerosal, in medicines, especially vaccines. In my opinion, adopting the resolution on “Protecting Children from Mercury-Containing Drugs” is entirely consistent with the United Methodist Church’s Social Principles; and it will lend critical moral weight to the nationwide campaign to eliminate the use of mercury in all medical and pharmaceutical products and devices.

Good afternoon friends.

As you may know, no one has ever identified a positive health benefit to mercury in the human body. Thus, it was sound public health policy to eliminate mercury from thermometers, blood pressure gauges, light switches, cosmetics, teething powder, horse liniment, hat-making materials, smokestack emission, and mining operations. It would also be sound public health policy to eliminate mercury from all vaccines and dental fillings. That is why I am a strong supporter and co-sponsor of both the “Mercury in Dental Fillings Disclosure and Prohibition Act” (H.R. 2101) – which would prohibit after 2008 the introduction into interstate commerce of mercury intended for use in a dental filling – and the “Mercury-Free Vaccines Act” (H.R. 881) to essentially end the use of mercury as a preservative in vaccines. Both bills are currently pending.

Click here to view the bills.