Department of Defense May Fund Autism Research
Sunday June 18, 2006
Each year, the Department of Defense funds medical research into issues that impact on the military and their families. Autism Speaks, a powerful fundraising and lobbying oganization which recently merged with the National Association for Autism Research (NAAR), has had lobbyists in Washington for several years, working on getting research appropriations from the DOD and other agenices.
According to an Autism Speaks press release, volunteer lobbyists have persuaded the House of Representatives Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to include a line item for $7.5 million for research on autism spectrum disorders in its FY 2007 appropriations bill which must now pass through the Joint Conference Committee. Their rhetoric was persuasive: "Based on the most recent prevalence estimates, at least 4,600 children and minor dependents of active duty families have autism, and the cost of their treatment exceeds $200 million per year."
Comments
My husband is in the military and we have 2 sons that have autism. I know how most of these DOD studies go, but I am really hoping that this is different. We as military face so many probelms with moving every 2 or 3 years and starting over with new Dr.’s and schools. My husband is caught in a bad spot because he is carier military, and has 2 special needs kids that he wants to give the best care possible to and when you are always moving that isn’t always easy. For now we are in Savannah,Ga and are looking for other families in the area that have the same problems we do.
hi we also are considering moving to the area. Do you have alot of help with you kids? Mine has aspergers. Please contact me. Would love to hear your input.
Thanks
Beck