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Clinton Vows To Aid Autistic Families

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By AMY LORENTZEN, The Associated Press

Published: November 25, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday pledged to help autistic families by boosting funding for research and education to $700 million a year.

"Driven by their love and devotion, mothers and fathers across the country have raised awareness, demanded funding and opened our eyes to the needs of so many children," she told a crowd gathered at Jesse E. Marshall Boys Club of Sioux City. "It's up to us to reclaim the future for our children, and ensure that every child can live up to his or her God-given potential."

She said when it comes to autism, "we don't know how to cure it, and we don't even know the best ways to treat it.

"I think it's time we had a government and a president who recognized the seriousness of autism and addressed it head-on," the New York senator said.

The number of autism diagnoses has risen from one in 10,000 in 1993, to one in 150 in 2007 - about 25,000 children diagnosed with autism each year, she said, calling the disorder a national health crisis, that costs the nation at least $35 billion each year.

Clinton outlined her years helping children with autism, including co-sponsoring legislation called the Combating Autism Act in 2006, and earlier this year the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act. She criticized President Bush for refusing to fully fund such efforts.

If she is elected, Clinton said, she also would take other autism initiatives, including:

•Expanding research to identify the causes of autism, including potential environmental reasons.

•Improving education and early detection and intervention, including creating a task force to investigate autism treatments and services.

•Training for teachers to instruct children with autism.

Lee Grossman, president and chief executive of the Autism Society of America, said the investment made in early identification, services and support "will create opportunities for these individuals to contribute meaningfully in our society, as is their right.

"Senator Clinton's plan is a very important step in that direction," Grossman said in a statement provided by Clinton's campaign.

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