NEWARK, N.J. – On the first day of Autism Awareness Month and on the eve of World Autism Awareness Day, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) stress the need for robust federal investments for research and support for those living with autism spectrum disorders, especially given newly-released data by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that shows New Jersey continues to have the highest autism prevalence rates in the nation for children – 1 in 41, which is up from 1 in 45 in 2014 and well above the national rate of 1 in 68. In annual letters sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee in March, the Senators were joined by colleagues in requesting this help for millions of Americans.
“Let’s put our money where our mouth is when it comes to Autism awareness, research and support,” said Sen. Menendez. “As there’s increased national and international attention on autism this month, I urge lawmakers at every level of government to find collaborative and comprehensive ways to help families. As a longtime autism advocate, I will continue to stand with those who are trying to finding new diagnosis and treatment breakthroughs."
“One of my top priorities in the Senate has been ensuring that the federal government is making robust investments in medical research,” said Sen. Booker. “It’s vital that we continue to devote resources and funding to new innovations in intervention and treatment that will help improve the lives of millions people living with autism. As we recognize National Autism Awareness Month, let us renew our commitment to prioritizing the screening, treatment, and essential services that support children and adults with autism and their families.”
Fiscal Year 2017 Autism Letters Sent to Senate Appropriators:
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
Sen. Menendez, along with Sen. Klobuchar, led a letter signed by Sen. Booker and seven other Senate colleagues to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense requesting $10 million for autism research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. (Download letter here.)
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act Funding
Sen. Menendez, along with Sens. Klobuchar and Rubio, led a bipartisan letter signed by Sen. Booker and six other Senate colleagues to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies requesting the highest levels of funding for programs authorized by the Autism CARES Act – which was authored by Sen. Menendez – that focus on autism spectrum disorder research, screening and support. (Download letter here.)
Background on Autism Statistics, Previous Actions:
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[endif]According to new data released by the CDC yesterday, autism spectrum disorder rates have continued to climb – from 1 in 166 in 2005 to 1 in 68 in 2014, which is a nearly 250 percent increase in less than 10 years. In New Jersey, that prevalence is 1 in 41 children, which is the nation’s highest rate.
Sen. Menendez is the leading advocate in Congress for individuals with autism and their families, having authored the Autism Coordination, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act, also known as the Autism CARES Act, which was signed into law on August 8, 2014. Additionally, he secured the passage of the 2011 reauthorization of the Combating Autism Act, and also authored the Assistance in Gaining Experience, Independence and Navigation (AGE-IN) Act to address the needs of youth and young adults as they transition out of school-based support to independent adulthood. Sen. Menendez recently sent a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro, following a robust initiative to help end family homelessness in President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposal, requesting the prioritization of community-based supportive housing needs of those with autism and other developmental disabilities.