P.S. 373R Autism Spectrum Disorder Information Site

We have some great new books for the Parent’s Lending Library. One of them is by Jenny McCarthy entitled “Louder Than Words”.  You may have seen her on the Oprah Winfrey Show discussing her book and her life with her son, Evan,  who was diagnosed with Autism.

Ms. McCarthy talks about the intense combination of behavioral therapy, diet and supplements that helps her son manage his Autism. If you are interested in borrowing this book you may leave a comment in the comments box.

Congress Returns to Busy Fall Line-Up

Representatives and Senators are back at work, following the month-long August recess. They have their work cut out for them, as several priority bills must be enacted in the coming weeks, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the annual appropriations bills, reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act and other legislative priorities.

For the autism community, the annual FY 2008 appropriations bills are of particular importance. The House passed its version of the legislation earlier this summer, providing increases to several key autism programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. The Senate bill has even greater increases for autism programs, but has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.

By law, appropriations bills must be passed by September 30th, the end of the fiscal year. If that does not happen, Congress will have to pass a “continuing resolution” to ensure that the federal government keeps operating. Under these pressures, it is difficult to predict the final outcome, but ASA will continue its efforts to ensure that critical autism programs receive the funding increases they need.

House Begins Consideration of the No Child Left Behind Act

In 2001, Congress and the President enacted the No Child Left Behind Act to increase student achievement and bridge the education gap. While the measure had broad popular support, it has received much criticism in the past six years amid concerns that teachers were teaching to the test and were not given enough flexibility in administration of the law.

Another key concern of the bill is the treatment of children with disabilities. The Department of Education has adopted several regulations that undermine the ability of children with disabilities to receive a quality education. ASA is working with Easter Seals and other partners to ensure that all children with disabilities receive a quality education, are taught by well-qualified teachers and are held to appropriate accountability standards.

Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z and the Spanish version, Los Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo de la A a la Z, both by Barbara T. Doyle and Emily Doyle Iland, have been awarded the Exceptional Parent Magazine Symbol of Excellence. Los Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo de la A a la Z was also winner of the ASA 2006 Outstanding Literary Work of the Year.

The review in the April 2007 issue of Exceptional Parent Magazine had this to say: ASD from A to Z is a wonderful resource for families and professionals who have limited time for reading and research due to the demands of living life. The book does not try to be a complete resource. Instead it focuses on the process of identifying, testing for and diagnosing ASD. The authors provide resources and research suggestions for understanding the potential causes of autism and share how to form or participate in information-sharing groups and ideas.

More information is available on the authors’ website, http://www.asdatoz.com/.