Autism tops Barack Obama's medical to-do list, according to the new president's website. Whitehouse.gov launched at 12:01 pm yesterday, even before the new president had taken his oath of office on the Capitol's West Front. Autism is the only disorder or disease mentioned explicitly in Obama's 24-point agenda. Heart disease and cancer don't get the call. Neither does diabetes, or other chronic diseases. But there are four hefty bullet points addressing autism. Obama called for:
1. Increased funding for research, treatment, screenings, public awareness and support services for autism spectrum disorders.
2. "Life-long services" for people with autism spectrum disorders, as children and as adults. Many parents struggle to find and pay for screening and treatments for their children, but there is even less coverage and capacity for adults with autism-based impairments
3. More funding for the 2006 Combating Autism Act, as well as improving state and federal autism programs.
4. Universal screening for all infants for autism disorders, as well as re-screening for all 2-year-olds. This is the biggie; children are currently screened only if parents or pediatricians voice a concern, so too many children aren't diagnosed until they enter elementary school. The earlier treatment starts, the more effective it is, and a national screening program would help reduce the number of kids falling through the cracks. It would also be a huge undertaking, at a time when both government and privately insured health care is foundering.
That second bullet point would be a huge help for families who are struggling to provide care. In a recent survey, 52 percent of parents of children with autism said their family finances were drained by treatment and care, compared to 13 percent of typical families.
Supports Americans with Autism Spectrum
disorders (ASd).
The President is
committed to expanding support for individuals,
families, and communities affected by ASD. The
Budget includes $211 million in HHS for research
into the causes of and treatments for ASD, screenings,
public awareness, and support services.作者: 忠于我心 时间: 09-5-26 15:34
自闭症的重要性不言而喻作者: Charlie Z. Song 时间: 09-5-26 16:10
美国政府高啊!!!!作者: Aglaya 时间: 09-5-27 12:23
因为认识到自闭症的人可能会有很多特殊才能作者: blackeye 时间: 09-5-27 21:32
因为认识到自闭症的人可能会有很多特殊才能
Aglaya 发表于 09-5-27 04:23
你是说否则自闭症就不会得到这样的重视吗?其实我看自闭症得到政府的重视,是由于各个自闭症团体不懈地游说,努力提高社会对自闭症的认识,才有了这样的结果。作者: Charlie Z. Song 时间: 09-5-28 04:47