[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 168 (Friday, December 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10515-S10516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DODD (for himself and Mr. Menendez):
  S. 4044. A bill reauthorize and strengthen the Combating Autism Act 
of 2006 (Public Law 109-416), to establish a National Institute of 
Autism Spectrum Disorders, to provide for the continuation of certain 
programs relating to autism, to establish programs to provide services 
to individuals with autism and the families of such individuals and to 
increase public education and awareness of autism, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Combating 
Autism Act, CAA, Reauthorization. Six years ago, my former colleague 
Senator Rick Santorum and I introduced the original CAA to expand 
Federal investment for Autism research, services, treatment, and 
awareness efforts. The bill was signed into law by President Bush 
following a nearly unanimous Congressional vote. The original CAA made 
great strides in addressing the growing public health problem. However, 
our work remains unfinished and essential programs are set to expire in 
2011. For this reason, joined by my colleague Senator Robert Menendez, 
I am introducing a reauthorization bill to strengthen the existing 
federal, state, and local efforts.
  Autism is one form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, a group of 
developmental disabilities caused by atypical brain development. It is 
a severe neurological disorder that affects language, cognition, 
emotional development, and the ability to relate and interact with 
others. Current estimates suggest that over 1 million Americans suffer 
from some form of autism.
  Individuals with ASD tend to have challenges and difficulties with 
social and communication skills. Many people with ASD also have unique 
ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to different 
sensations. ASD begins during early childhood and lasts throughout a 
person's life. As the name ``autism spectrum disorder'' implies, ASD 
covers a continuum of behaviors and abilities.
  Autism is a profound condition that can have a devastating effect on 
children and their families. We as a nation must devote significantly 
increased resources to finding answers to the many questions 
surrounding autism. Families struggling to raise a child with autism 
deserve our support, and they deserve answers. The legislation we are 
working to reauthorize will help us continue the journey towards a 
better understanding of autism and better supporting those living with 
this difficult condition.
  The original CAA represented the largest Federal investment of 
funding and programs for children and families with autism. The law 
expanded Federal investment for Autism research through NIH; services, 
diagnosis and treatment through HRSA; and surveillance and awareness 
efforts through the CDC. As a result of these efforts, we made 
significant advances in the understanding of autism. For example, we 
identified several autism susceptibility genes that are leading to drug 
discovery and earlier detection of infants at risk for ASD. Our 
Nation's researchers are now investigating the links between 
environmental exposures and autism. We improved methods for autism 
screening and recommendation for universal autism screening at well 
baby check-ups. We even developed effective early intervention methods 
for toddlers with autism.

  Unfortunately, major provisions of CAA are set to sunset in 2011. 
Although some Federal efforts on autism would undoubtedly continue 
without a reauthorization, the autism community would experience a 
disastrous loss of momentum. Autism is the fastest growing 
developmental disability in the Nation. For unknown reasons, the number 
of children diagnosed with autism has skyrocketed in recent years, from 
one in 10,000 children born 15 years ago to approximately one in 110 
children born today. Although it is more common than Down syndrome, 
childhood cancer, and cystic fibrosis, autism research currently 
receives less

[[Page S10516]]

funding than these other childhood diseases.
  Our reauthorization bill would ensure that these critical programs 
continue, including CDC surveillance programs, HRSA intervention and 
training programs, and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, 
IACC. We are building upon the success of the original CAA by making 
additional investments in an array of service related activities. We 
create a one-time, single year planning and multiyear service provision 
demonstration grant programs to States, public, or private nonprofit 
entities. We establish a national technical assistance center to gather 
and disseminate information on evidence-based treatments, 
interventions, and services; and, we authorize multiyear grants to 
provide interdisciplinary training, continuing education, technical 
assistance, and information to improve services rendered to individuals 
with ASD and their families.
  Finally, we create a new National Institute of Autism Spectrum 
Disorders within NIH, to consolidate CCA funding and accelerate 
research focused on prevention, treatment, services, and cures. A 
cross-agency institute with an aggressive, coordinated, and targeted 
research agenda aimed at improving the lives of individuals with autism 
is needed to address the challenges posed by a complex condition that 
involves many areas of science and services research. It also will 
provide our research community with a more predictable and accountable 
budget environment for disorder affecting individuals on this scale.
  Over the course of my career I have had the opportunity to meet with 
several families who are affected by Autism. The parents of children 
with this disorder are some of the most dedicated and perseverant I 
have ever worked with. They do more than simply rise to the challenge 
they have been presented with. They stand up and fight. They fight for 
themselves, they fight for their community, and they fight for 
generations to come, but most of all, they fight for their children. I 
want to thank these families and their children for sharing their 
stories and their strength with me. Their stories, anecdotes and 
struggles give a face to the people all across the country whose lives 
are touched by this important research, and hearing about them help us 
to do our jobs better. The CAA would be nothing without them.
  Last but certainly not least, I would like to take this opportunity 
to thank the disability, and more specifically, the autism community 
and advocacy organizations who have worked tirelessly on this bill. The 
magnitude and importance of their work on this legislation and other 
related initiatives will never be properly recognized. There are few 
advocacy groups that pursue their goals and priorities with as much 
fervor and fortitude as this community. They have an incredibly 
challenging but critically important job, and I would like to thank 
them for their hard work and support throughout the years. None of this 
progress could have been made without them.
  It is my hope that introducing this reauthorization bill will build 
momentum for the efforts of my colleagues during the 112th Congress, 
and I would like to thank Senator Menendez for his willingness to lead 
the charge into next Congress. Senator Menendez has been a great 
partner on so many issues over the years and I am happy that he will be 
here next Congress to lead the efforts on this reauthorization.
  The CAA was a bipartisan, bicameral bill. That must continue next 
Congress. I hope that my colleagues will support this important 
legislation. We must continue to build upon these successes and ensure 
more communities are better equipped to address this complex public 
health issue.
                                 ______