• Increased funding for research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services for those suffering from autism spectrum disorders.
• He wants to offer life-long services for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Young children often have difficulty getting the support they need, but it is even more difficult for adult patients.
• Obama wants to increase funding for the 2006 Combating Autism Act, in addition to increasing state and federal funding for programs.
• The President also wants universal screening for all infants for autism disorders, as well as re-screening for all two-year olds. Currently children are screened only if parents or doctors express concern.

It is hoped this push will help those families who struggle to afford care for their autistic children. Almost 52% of families with autistic children were surveyed and said that finances were drained trying to afford treatment. This is compared to 13% of typical families.

In looking at the 2006 Combating Autism Act, $1 billion was promised over five years for autism related research and development, but Congress has failed to appropriate the funds. Obama seems determined to not let the current economic turmoil affect autism funding. This is a big win for all of those families affected by autism.

The Ferrari family had asked the Court to rule that the vaccine maker, American Home Products Corp. (now Wyeth), was liable for damages involving their son, Stefan. Their son was a talkative toddler, and after he received a round of shots at the age of 18 months, that all changed. The boy is now 10 years old, and has not spoken since receiving the shots.

Vaccine manufacturers are up in arms about the decision. The main argument is that seven other state courts have ruled that federal laws pre-empt state laws giving families the right to fight vaccine companies. The Georgia Court of Appeals is the first appellate court to rule that federal law does not take precedence over state tort rules, claiming that the law is unclear.

Vaccine manufacturers have the protection of the federal law so that they are not subjected to a wide variety of state mandates. The vaccine company plans on appealing the decision, stating that the Georgia Court’s decision does not allow for a “uniform procedure to handle claims.” The attorney for the Ferrari family contends that federal law is in place to supplement state law, not replace it. The ruling in favor of the Ferrari family upholds the idea that vaccine manufacturers must prove on a case-by-case basis that vaccines are not responsible for severe side effects in children.

This is a victory for families who firmly believe that, despite claims by the Centers for Disease Control, the thimerosal in vaccines is linked to autism.

The Battleground

Autism advocates want to see more states follow the example set forth in Indiana, which requires insurance companies to cover costly behavior therapy for autism. Since 2002, six states — Texas, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana — passed laws requiring this type of coverage. In some cases, it saves families up to $50,000 a year. Parents have shared stories of how the behavior therapy has helped their autistic children. Arzu Forough’s son, from Washington, was taught, at the age of 3, to make a sound when he wanted a drink of water.. Now, at 12, he is learning to share his feelings instead of throwing tantrums. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) often uses a reward system to help autistic children learn new communication and behavioral skills, and parents see positive results.

In 2008, Autism Speaks endorsed bills in New Jersey, Virginia, and Michigan to ensure this coverage is available. In 2009, it hopes to back similar bills in Ohio, New  York, and California. Lawmakers find themselves in a difficult position since voting against these bills is a vote against families. In the financial bailout plan passed in October 2008, a measure was tacked on to the bill requiring insurers to make coverage for mental health patients equitable with other health coverage. Advocates with Autism Speaks applaud the additive measure, but state that it does not benefit autism patients since autism is not a psychological condition and it is not covered under mental health services.