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ASA Logo <http://www.autism-society.org/enews/colorlogo.gif> ASA-Net

The Autism Society of America's

E-newsletter

July 31, 2002

Indianapolis Conference Revs Up Autism Community;

High-Level Officials Address Attendees and Vow Support

If you thought they didn't care; if you wondered whether they were

listening; if you wondered when help would come; then wonder no more. Autism

experts, researchers, and high-level officials from across the federal

government came to ASA's 2002 annual conference this July to say they care

and to bring a message of hope to the autism community.

Several high-level government leaders, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of

Health and Human Services Claude , the highest-ranking government

official ever to address an ASA conference, brought this message to

attendees at the 2002 ASA National Conference on Autism. In total, more than

120 experts, researchers, educators, and policymakers offered up the latest

information on the range of issues facing families and caregivers of

individuals with autism, including education, treatments, options for

adults, and the like.

Some 1,500 registrants participated in the five-day conference, which was

held July 17-21, 2002, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Feedback from participants

indicates that this year's conference, entitled " Champions and Challenges, "

offered all who took part - parents, educators, caregivers, researchers, and

chapter leaders - an opportunity to network and learn about effective ways

to deal with autism across the lifespan.

ASA President Lee Grossman provided the opening remarks of the conference

highlighting the tremendous strides the Autism Society of America and the

autism community have made over the past year in awareness, research

funding, and setting a national agenda on autism issues. Mr. Grossman

provided the most up-to-date and eye-opening statistics on autism,

demonstrating that autism is clearly now a " national emergency that has

reached epidemic proportions. "

Secretary gave a heartfelt speech about his commitment to expanding

programs and support for autism. " We are looking at everything from

treatments for symptoms for autism, to genetics, to environmental factors

that may cause the disorder, " Secretary said. " While the science is

important, we have to make sure we are providing services and tools to

families that are living with autism. "

" For those of you who are struggling out there, " he added, " I want you to

know that we are working for you, and we want to work with you to build a

network of services that will improve the lives of families living with

autism. "

Cordero, M.D., M.P.H., U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and Director of

the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center on

Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, provided an overview of the

Center's programs, presented information about their prevalence surveillance

programs, which are ongoing, and talked about their efforts to pursue

possible causes of autism through their Centers of Excellence.

Foote, Director of the Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral

Science at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the

National Institutes of Health (NIH), spoke about NIH's initiatives in the

area of autism, including a boost in funding to $55 million in 2001 and the

creation of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). Dr. Foote

called the agency, to which ASA President Lee Grossman was appointed by

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy , a " reality check and a

gut check " with respect to autism research and services.

Keynote speaker Attwood, Ph.D., offered insights into the " continuum

of autism " and shared enlightening information about autism and Asperger's

Disorder from his decades of experience in the United States and abroad. He

talked about the different types of behavior of individuals with Asperger's

Disorder, as well as the various pathways that lead to a diagnosis,

including early childhood diagnosis, recognition when enrolled in school,

and diagnosis of a relative.

Keynoter Wakefield, M.D., presented findings of various research

projects that support his theory of a possible between the

Mumps-Rubella-Measles vaccine and autism. While no definitive answers can be

drawn as yet, Dr. Wakefield's presentation offered food for thought for

parents and researchers alike.

Liane Holliday Willy, Ed.D., Jean- Bovee, ASA Board Member

Shore, and Ruth Elaine Hane, shared the stage in a keynote presentation on

their " personal perspectives " on growing up and living with autism.

In addition to these presentations, conference participants had the

opportunity to attend some 100 other seminars and workshops during the

conference, such as the latest work being done by ASA's Panel of

Professional Advisors (PPA), led by Holmes, Ed.D.; trainings and

brainstorming sessions for ASA chapters; the Adults with Autism Town

Meeting; sessions for siblings; and the ever-popular " For Dads Only "

session.

But the conference was not all presentations and seminars. ASA also offered

participants an opportunity to reflect on the good work that is being done

by so many in and outside the autism community. During the conference, ASA

publicly honored the 2002 ASA Awards and Scholarship Program winners for

their tireless work on behalf of individuals with autism.

The ASA also honored another tireless autism advocate, Congressman Dan

Burton (R-IN), at a special " Evening of Champions " dinner. Congressman

Burton, who has a grandson with autism, was honored for his " significant

contributions to improve the lives of Americans with autism. "

More detailed information about the conference presentations and events will

be included in the upcoming issue of our member publication, the Advocate.

ASA Welcomes New Board Member

The ASA board has a new director, Liz Roth, who was elected this June. Ms.

Roth is a former ASA Board member having served on the board from 1994-1999

where, during her tenure, she served as 2nd Vice President, Treasurer and as

Finance, Awards, Communications and Nominating Committee Chair. Ms. Roth is

also Co-President of the land Montgomery County ASA Chapter. She has

been steadily involved in the local politics scene being an effective

advocate and monitor of idea, adult issues as well as federal and state

judicial matters. In addition to her ASA activities Liz is a founding

director and board member of K.E.E.N., Kids Enjoy Exercise Now.

In addition to Ms. Roth, ASA is pleased to have three incumbent directors

continue their services. Jeff Sell, Pratt and Rick Rollens were all

re-elected for another term.

Highlights from ASA Membership Meeting

ASA held its 2002 annual membership meeting on July 18 at the 2002 ASA

national conference in Indianapolis. Highlights of the meeting included

reports on the ASA election, including the announcement of the winners of

the ASA Board election. ASA program reports for the year were covered in the

annual report, which highlighted that 79% of ASA expenditures go towards ASA

programs, including education, awareness, and advocacy. ASA President Lee

Grossman reviewed a year of many positive changes for the ASA, culminating

in the upcoming membership vote for bylaws changes to support ASA's

reorganization plans (look for your ballots this autumn).

ASA Government Relations staff also presented at the meeting. Highlights

from their presentation included: updates on medical research with regards

to the CDC and NIH. To date, ASA advocacy has led to the creation of a

federal public health program in autism at the CDC. ASA has also asked NIH

to ensure that the Centers for Excellence in Autism continue to develop and

that both the NIMH and National Institute of Child Health and Human

Development (NICHD) continue existing program finding through the next five

years. The report also highlighted the issues related to the Individuals

with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA) and the -Doyle Teacher

Education for Autistic Children Act of 2000, as well as current efforts to

continue to boost autism awareness in Washington.

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