Thursday, 23 June 2011

• Keeping the Combating Autism Act

  
  
  Congress is currently considering whether or not to renew the Combating Autism Act of 2006 which allocated hundreds of millions of dollars toward institutions and programs that researched the autism spectrum and assisted those living with the condition. Singer Chaka Khan is actually lobbying the federal governmentover the issue at this very moment. In part because of the larger trend of cutting government spending in the wake of the continuing economic crisis, the likelihood that CAA will be extended is looking like less and less of a percentage chance. However if enough people get involved and become aware enough to the point where congress must act to continue the funding, then that means many opportunities for people who wish to make helping those with autism their career.

  Someone else recently posted about the cost of caring for someone with autism. It’s indeed unforgivable that the average American with an autistic loved one is expected to spend so much of their own money if they aren’t adequately insured. This is in part because of an increasing number of children being recognized as exhibiting signs of the autism spectrum, which while driving up demand is also driving up costs. Those behind S 483 and other similar governmental action want to contribute as much taxpayer dollars as possible towards research and assistance. If this kind of spending is approved for another five years, now would be a great time to research online universities and other degree programs that offer educations in health administration and other parts of the medical industry that one can use towards becoming a career combatant against autism.

  Without reauthorization of the Combating Autism Act, the opportunities that may otherwise exists in the autism care industry might disappear all together. If you’re serious about making it your life’s goal to help those with autism you need to join the effort to convince congress that S 483 must be reauthorized. Visit the Combating Autism Act Reauthorization Coalition website to see what you can do to help. It might be as simple as writing a letter to your congressman and/or senators.

  It won’t take much for the current congress to get rid of S 483 in light of all the pressure that’s on them to cut away as much government spending as possible. $700 million over 5 years is no small chunk of change. But it could mean the difference between you getting into the career you were meant for or settling for something less than stellar, and more importantly, the difference between an American future where autism is considered a national concern, and one where we’re nationally indifferent to a disorder that affects 1.5 million of us.
  

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