Two actions that Congress could take that would improve the funding picture for autism research are:
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Increasing the National Institute of Health's (NIH) budget specifically with respect to autism
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Creating a dedicated National Institute for Autism Research at the NIH
The primary source of autism funding in the United States is the Federal government and specifically the National Institute of Health (NIH).
On an inflation adjusted basis NIH has not had a budget increase in over a decade. Further, despite the alarming and unexplained rise in autism, NIH autism funding has been held flat for the past 3 years.
Most major diseases get their own institute with a dedicated director and funding, however autism, does not.
Contact Congress For Autism Funding
You can help improve this situation in three easy steps!
1) Look up your Congressman/Congresswoman here & Senator here
2) Copy the text below into a letter (better) or email.
3) Send it by mail or email.
Date
The Honorable ________
Office Address
United States House of Representatives/United State Senate
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative/Senator _____________:
I am writing to you as member of your district that lives in ________who is alarmed by the rapid rise in autism and our lack of answers and treatments for it. The federal government's response to autism is an important issue to me [Optional - Add a sentence or two about why you care about autism or how it touches you!]
Autism now affects 1:68 children (1:42 boys - that is almost 2.5%!). Despite this alarming rise: We still don't know what autism is or what causes it.
Please consider enacting and supporting legislation that does two things:
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Increases funding for NIH with a specific mandate to increase funding for autism
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Creates a dedicated National Autism Institute within the NIH
Sincerely,
XXXXXXX