Timeline: The Politics & Marketing Behind The Autism Epidemic | The 00s
[Timeline still in progress. Last updated Sept. 13, 2022]
Timeline: Early Years | 80s | 90s | 00s | 10s | 20s
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009
Autism Politics & Initiatives
The Autism Market
Grants , Funded Projects & Money Raised
Pivotal
Marketing & Media Attention
Organizations & Companies
Autistic Community & Allies
2000
2000
The Children’s Health Act of 2000
Mandated establishment of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) to coordinate autism research and other initiatives within the Department of Health and Human Service.
2000
SafeMinds is founded by parent of an Autistic, Sallie Bernard.
January 2000
Cure Autism Now: Overview of Autism Research 1998 – 2000
Included: Portia Iversen, Diane Chugani, Marion Leboyer, Robert DeLong, D. Branford, Eric Hollander, P. G. Rossi, Michael Chez, Isabel Rapin, Ted Page, Andrew Zimmerman, Anne Comi, Gina DelGiudice-Aschm, Sudhir Gupta, Ed Cook, Jeffrey LeWine, Anthony Bailey, Andrew Wakefield, Steve Edelson
February 13, 2000
Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) established by parent of an autistic, Lisa Ackerman.
March 2000
Hear Their Silence Rally \ Hear Our Voices Counterprotest
“One day they will see that their cure mantra did more harm to their child medically, educationally and personally then any feature of autism ever could.” — Laura Tisonick, 2000
Hear Our Voices: Sample letter to Congress
Hear Our Voices: A Reply to the Initiator of the Hear Their Silence Rally
April 6, 2000
Autism and Childhood Vaccines Hearing
AUTISM: PRESENT CHALLENGES, FUTURE NEEDS–WHY THE INCREASED RATES?
See all testimony here >>
“The medical establishment was opposed to behavior modification, or what is now called the ABA approach. They said that this was not a way to treat autism, because autism was based on deepseated emotional problems, so a technique that is used to train animals cannot be used to improve autistic children. That was untrue..” – Bernard Rimland, April 6, 2000. Bernard Rimland has white hair and beard and is wearing a tan suit, white shirt and multi-color tie. Also: Bernard Rimland was an American scientist and father of an Autistic. He co-founded the Autism Society of America with Ivar Lovaas, and was the founder of the Autism Research Institute. “Despite denials from some experts, there is a terrible worldwide epidemic of autism.” - Bernard Rimland, Testimony from April 6, 2000
Shoutouts at the Congressional Autism Vaccine Hearing to the Hear Their Silence Rally during testimony:
“Mothers from all over the country have brought pictures of their autistic children to Washington this weekend. Most of these children were born normal and lost to autistic regression. Look into their eyes, and you will hear their silence.”
Mary Megson – April 6, 2000Also: Shelley Hendrix, Dan Burton
April 6, 2000
Cure Autism Now Statement on Congressional Vaccine Hearing
At this moment in time CAN believes that nothing is as important for the autism community as moving forward on House Bill 3301 which mandates: Centers of Excellence for autism research, national awareness programs and epidemiology studies, which are critical given what seems like an alarming rise in the incidence of autism all across the nation.
April 8, 2000
Speakers include medical researchers, autism specialists, parent activists, and Congressman Dan Burton.
Speakers: Pete Wright, Congressman Dan Burton, Joanne Fradkin , Shelley Reynolds / Nancy LeGendre , Carol Fruscella, Thomas McKean, Dennis Debbaudt, Dr. Bernard Rimland, Edward Yazbak, William Shaw, Andrew Bauman, Bobbie Gallagher, Ray Gallup, Michael Goldberg, Vijendra Singh, Cathy Pratt, Pete Wright, John Martin, Julie Donnelly, Jean-Paul Bovee, Braden Daniels.
2000
An Overview of the Recent Cure Autism Now Scientific Advisory Board Meetings By Donald Ham
Included: Jon Shestack, Portia Iversen, Dan Geschwind, Marnin Kligfeld, John Wilson, T. Conrad William, Judith Grether, Stephen Dager, M.D., Michael Merzenich, Gerald Leve, Rudolph Tanzi, Edwin H. Cook Jr.
May 24, 2000
DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER FROM Cure Autism Now: Senate Children’s Health Bill
Senator Gorton has teamed with democratic Senator Herbert Kohl, Wisconsin, and issued this “dear colleague” letter. It was distributed to all 100 senators and this letter asks them to sign a letter directed to Senator Frist requesting a children’s health bill which includes autism research, and a speedy, bipartisan passage free of controversial amendments.
July 2000
Cure Autism Now | 2000 Autism: Gut Brain Workshop
Cure Autism Now held the Gut Brain Workshop (Hancock, MA) with the goal of bringing together experts in autism, pharmacology, and gastroenterology to address how understanding the complex system of the GI tract could explain and account for autistic symptoms.July 17, 2000
CAN POLITICAL ACTION NEWS
Senate Children’s Health Bill – Senate Bill S2868The Senate has introduced the bipartisan Children’s Health Act of 2000, which includes all the autism provisions found in the Advancement in Pediatric Autism Research Act, S.512. A companion bill has already passed in the house.
October 17, 2000
Included: Bill Clinton, Jon Shestack, Sallie Bernard, Albert Enayati and Heidi Roger, Slade Gorton, Chris Smith, Jim Greenwood, Elizabeth Emken,
“This bill is the direct product of over three years of work by parents of autistic children, led by the families of Cure Autism Now.”
“It is very clear that the autism community was the engine that pulled the whole train.”
”If the autism community had any edge other than the rightness of their cause it was access to celebrities. ”
October 17, 2000
“YOU DID IT! UPDATE!! UPDATE!! UPDATE!!
“You did it!! All those calls, visits, faxes and action alerts have payed off in a huge way. The Senate passed the Children’s Health Act of 2000, S.2868, by unanimous consent–that means 100 in favor, 0 against! On Tuesday October 17, 2000 President Clinton signed the Children’s Health Act into Law!!!
“This bill will set up 5 national centers of excellence for autism research where families can also get clinical help. It will study epidemiology and hopefully establish once and for all the horrific increase in autism--and what is causing it.”
“It will support brain and gene banking, and it will fund a national education program for physicians so that kids get diagnosed immediately, instead of when they are 3-5 years old and precious time is lost. It’s a really good bill, and we should remember why– the first draft was not written by politicans, but late at night, after work, by the parents at Cure Autism Now. It has been an honor to work with all of you on this effort.”
Jon Shestack, Cure Autism Now
Elizabeth Emken, Cure Autism NowOctober 2000
CURE AUTISM NOW (CAN) APPLAUDS SENATE ACTION ON CHILDREN’S HEALTH BILL
“The autism title of the Children’s Health Act which was originally drafted by parents of autistic children, will correct 40 years of neglect on the part of the federal government and the biomedical research community on the subject of autism.
“It authorizes a comprehensive federal war on autism, including enhanced epidemiological work by the Centers for Disease Control, “centers of excellence” for research into autism under the auspices of the National Institute of Health, gene and tissue banking to facilitate research, and education programs on autism for both the medical community and the public at large.
“This bill could not come at a more critical time, as every state in nation is reporting an alarming increase in the incidence of autism that verges on epidemic proportions.”
“Many of us had normal happy children who suddenly seemed to disappear over the course of a few months time. They will probably never marry, have meaningful work or live on their own. Half of them will never learn to speak.
“We care for them and love them for who they are, but we also want more for them. For so many years we have put our hopes and dreams aside, but today we can begin to reclaim them. The best scientists in the country tell us that treatment and a cure for autism is possible and now we are on the road.”
December 4, 2000
Cure Autism Now | 2000 Workshop on Mouse Models in Autism
NIMH and Cure Autism Now sponsored a Workshop on Mouse Models in Autism (Bar Harbor, Maine) to bring together experts in the clinical features of autism, mouse genetics, and mouse phenotyping. This meeting identified important aspects of research vital for advancing our understanding of autism including a more complete understanding of patterns of regional gene expression across early development and ways to begin identifying the genes that contribute to autism.
2001
2001
Autism Coalition: Congressional Autism Caucus
U.S. Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Michael Doyle (D-PA) founded the bi-partisan Autism Caucus.
The Caucus, formally known as the Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE), currently includes over 170 members from over 40 states.
2001
Cure Autism Now: Parents Investigate Possible Link Between Mercury Toxicity and Autism
Included: Safe Minds, Sallie Bernard, Albert Enayati, Lyn Redwood, Heidi Roger
January 2001
Over $2 Million in Funds Quadruples the Number of Researchers Working in Autism Studies
“By January of 2001 the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) will make the DNA samples of almost 400 multiplex families available for study to all scientists and pharmaceuticals—thus making it the largest autism collection in the world and the only one that is open to the entire scientific community.”
2001
Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Founded by parents and grandparents of an Autistic in 2001.
April 23, 2001
May 13, 2001
Cure Autism Now: Political Action Alert
“A group of families have recently begun an effort to get some tax relief for the more than three million families in the US who have children with developmental disabilities.
The basic idea is to leverage the autism community’s political visibility and take advantage of the fact that there will be a new tax code this year. If the administration is going to pass a tax bill, they will need to include some items that help ordinary families. We can not officially do this as Cure Autism Now, because this is not in our mission, but there is a once in a lifetime opportunity here, and it would be wasteful not to take full advantage of it.“
Included: Jon Shestack, Elizabeth Emken
Winter 2001
Thanks to You! Cure Autism Now Advances Autism Research
Included: Jon Shestack, Portia Iversen
May 3, 2001
Indiana enacted autism insurance reform to cover ABA. It was the first state to enact autism insurance reform.
2002
January 1, 2002
AutismOne founded by parents of an autistic, Ed and Terri Arranga.
2002
Jon Shestack was appointed as one of three public members to the NIH Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and served on the Subcommittee on Screening and Early Diagnosis.
2002
Cure Autism Now | 2002 Autism Clinical Trials Task Force
The Autism Clinical Trials Task Force was a consensus meeting convened by Cure Autism Now in 2002 (Santa Monica, CA) in order to have clinicians derive a consistent strategy for clinical studies in autism. The meeting brought together a panel of participants from academia, government, and industry. Five subcommittees were formed to focus on issues of clinical trials in autism, and the resulting reports were published as an entire issue of CNS Spectrums.This forward-thinking meeting has provided a valuable volume which informs researchers today, as discovery research moves the field to more numerous clinical trials specifically designed for autism. This effort was solidified in 2005 by formation of our Clinical Trials Network, which is designed to do shared, rapid trials among a group of experienced clinical researchers who can enact the guidelines laid out by the Clinical Trials Task Force.
April 2002
Cure Autism Now | Targeted Research in Autism Workshop
In April 2002, Cure Autism Now held a Targeted Research in Autism Workshop (Santa Monica, CA) which attempted to pinpoint neurochemical targets and research directions in developmental neurobiology. The meeting report from this workshop is an extensive review published in the Journal of Molecular Psychiatry which was one of the first to discuss autism in terms of a disorder of neural information processing and functional connectivity. Pinpointing Autism: Autism as a Disorder of Neural Information Processing: Directions for Research and Targets for Therapy (Unabridged) pdf.
2003
August 2003
Autism Coalition: Congressional Autism Caucus
In 2001, U.S. Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Michael Doyle (D-PA) founded the bi-partisan Autism Caucus. The Caucus, formally known as the Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE), currently includes over 170 members from over 40 states.
November 19 – 20 2003
Autism Summit Conference: Developing a National Agenda
The Autism Coalition was pleased to support and participate in the Interagency Autism Summit held in Washington D.C.
November 19, 2003
Government Mapping Out A Strategy to Fight Autism
By JANE GROSS (NYT)
ABSTRACT – Federal officials, responding to skyrocketing number of diagnoses of brain disorder autism in children, plan to unveil at conference on autism, Washington, DC, first long-term interagency plan to deal with problem; plan includes goals like development of teaching methods that will allow 90 percent of autistic children to speak, identification of genetic and nongenetic causes of condition and adequate services for all afflicted children within 10 years; experts say most effective therapy, early, intensive behavior therapy, is poorly understood and in short supply; graph of autism cases and special education programs.
2003
Human Genome Project Celebration Dinner
Bob & Suzanne Wright, Jim & Marilyn Simons, Harry & Laura Slatkins, Tom Insel, Deedra Blair, (later Alison Singer joins)
2003
Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) founded by Jim & Marilyn Simons who are “affected by autism.”
2003
Next for Autism founded by Harry & Laura Slatkin, parents of an Autistic
2003
Founded by parents of Autistics in 2003.
Founding board members: Wendy Fournier, James A. Moody
2003
Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI)
Founded by parents of an Autistic, Jim Simons and Marilyn Simons in 2003.
2004
2004
Department of Defense Appropriations Act 2005 (H.R. 4613 & S. 2559)
Bill lobbied by: Cure Autism Now (CAN)
2004
Aspies For Freedom (AFF) was founded in 2004, and established June 18 as Autistic Pride Day starting in 2005. AFF was also instrumental in initiating protests against the National Alliance for Autism Research, Cure Autism Now, and the Judge Rotenberg Center.
2004
Cure Autism Now: 2004 Innovative Technology in Autism Think Tank
The Innovative Technology in Autism Think Tank in June 2004 (San Francisco, CA) brought together a workgroup to discuss the development of products that will provide real world solutions to issues faced by those with autism, their families, educators, healthcare specialists, and researchers.The incredible success of the meeting continues to guide our Innovative Technology in Autism (ITA) Initiative, which has since developed several programmatic areas including multi-year and fast track bridge grants. This initiative is multidisciplinary by design, and the on-going ITA workgroup spans academics, industry, and medical technology.
2005
2005 (109th Congress)
Bills lobbied by: Autism Speaks
H.R.2863 – Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006
S.843 Combating Autism Act of 2006
H.R.2421 Combating Autism Act of 2005
H.R.3010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006
H.J.RES.68 Making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2006, and for other purposes.
H.R.2528 Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2006
H.J.RES.75 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2006, and for other purposes.
H.J.RES.72 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2006, and for other purposes.
S.1422 Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2005
H.R.881 Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2005
2005
Department of Defense Appropriations Act 2005 (H.R. 4613 & S. 2559)
Bill lobbied by: Cure Autism Now (CAN)
2005
NECC was one of the clients lobbying on H.R.2421, the Combating Autism Act of 2005.
The Combating Autism Act, and later state-by-state legislation to reform insurance to cover Autistic Conversion Therapy (ABA) through Medicaid and private insurances.
February 11, 2005
Autism Speaks is founded by Bob & Suzanne Wright with family member Katie Wright and family friend, Bernie Marcus. Grandparents (and parent) of an Autistic. .
2005
Autism Speaks established the Parents as Partners program.
2005
Founded by parents of an Autistic, Ron Overleitner and Sharon Oberleitner in 2005.
February 2005
Cure Autism Now: Autism White Matter Think Tank
Recognizing that the issue of brain enlargement in autism may finally provide a biological substrate to explore autism pathophysiology, the February 2005 White Matter Think Tank (Malibu, CA) brought researchers together to brainstorm about the recent discovery of localized white matter increases in the brains of autistic children.
This innovative meeting was covered in the New York Times (February 8, 2005, “Focus Narrows in Search for Autism’s Cause”, by Sandra Blakeslee).
Researchers suggested CAN sponsor a follow up meeting that would delve into imaging standards to lay the ground work for exploring the relationship between genotype and brain enlargement, which led to our 2006 Autism Neuroimaging Summit Meeting.
February 21, 2005
by Autism Speaks
During the week of February 21, the networks of NBC News devoted special coverage to autism, with extensive reporting on Today, Nightly News with Brian Williams, CNBC, MSNBC (and MSNBC.com), NBC’s owned-and-operated stations, and Telemundo.
May 13, 2005
Generation Rescue established by parents of an autistic, JB and Lisa Handley. Also known for Jenny McCarthy, Jim Carrey, Donnie Wahlberg, Deidre Imus, Samir Patel, Rowena Salas, Katie Wright.
May 19, 2005
Autism Speaks Appoints Mark Roithmayr as President
Alison Tepper Singer has been the Acting CEO of Autism Speaks.
July 7, 2005
American Century Championship to Raise Awareness, Funds for Autism
Autism Speaks is 2005 Beneficiary
Dan Marino, celebrity golfers to aid new umbrella charity seeking treatment, cure for epidemic children’s brain disorderJuly 13, 2005
Hawaii enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA.
Included: Will Espero, Maile S. L. Shimabukuro
August 1, 2005
Autism Coalition for Research and Education (ACRE) merges with Autism Speaks.
November 3, 2005
December 15, 2005
Autism Speaks to Benefit from New GoSMILE Lemonade Smile Toothpaste
December 20, 2005
Winning Apprentice Contestants Raise Awareness, Funds for Autism Speaks
2006
2006
(109th Congress)
Bills lobbied by: Autism Speaks
S.843 Combating Autism Act of 2006
H.R.5631 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007
H.R.2421 Combating Autism Act of 2005
H.R.881 Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2005
S.1422 Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2005
H.R.5647 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007
H.J.RES.100 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes.
2006
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is founded by Ari Ne’mean. This is Autistic-led organization. .
Board/Staff: Julia Bascom, Kayley Whalen, Meg Evans, Ben McGann, Hari Srinivasan, Zoe Gross, Sam Crane, Kelly Israel, Greg Robinson, Haley Outlaw, Ianthe Belisle Dempsey, Noor Pervez, Meredith Bartley, Reid Caplan, Jean Winegardner, Katherine Crater
January 18, 2006
Autism Speaks Co-founder Suzanne Wright appeared on ABC daytime talk show The View on Jan. 18.
January 23 – 24, 2006
Cure Autism Now: Autism Neuroimaging Summit Meeting
25 researchers from around the world came together in Los Angeles for the Cure Autism Now Neuroimaging Summit Meeting
Included: UCLA, Christopher Escher, Jill Escher, Sharon Begley , Wall Street Journal, Dr. John Mazziotta, Brain Mapping Center, Time Magazine, Joe Piven, Eric Courchesne, Sophia Colamarino, NIH, Elizabeth Aylward,
February 6, 2006
February 16, 2006
February 23, 2006
Dennis Miller Headlines a Night of Comedy to Benefit Autism Speaks
March 1, 2006
Combating Autism Act:
March 3, 2006
Autism Speaks: The Washington Report: An Inside Look At Autism Speaks Advocacy In The Nation’s Capitol
Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright, their daughter Katie Wright, Deirdre Imus, founder of the Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology, and Cure Autism Now board members Elizabeth Emken and Craig Snyder met with Senate leaders Bill Frist (R-TN), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Christopher Dodd(D-CT) on Wednesday, March 1, to discuss the Children’s Health Act of 2000 and to lobby for the Combating Autism Act in the Senate.
March 7, 2006
Autism Speaks: The Bidding Continues as “Project Runway” Fans Vie to Win a One-of-a-Kind Autographed Portfolio
March 10, 2006
Autism Speaks: Washington Report Archive
An Inside Look at Autism Speaks Advocacy in the Nation’s CapitolMarch 17, 2006
Autism Speaks: Washington Report Archive
An Inside Look at Autism Speaks Advocacy in the Nation’s CapitolMarch 23, 2006
Autism Speaks Co-founder Bob Wright to Deliver Keynote Address …
The day’s festivities will also include a fundraising walk and silent auction. All proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks, Autism Cares and the Verbal Behavior Center for Autism (VBCA) in Fishers, IN.
March 24, 2006
Autism Speaks: Washington Report Archive
An Inside Look at Autism Speaks Advocacy in the Nation’s CapitolApril 27, 2006
May 9, 2006
A 12-minute version of Autism Every Day was first produced for, and screened at, “A New Decade for Autism,” a fundraising event held in New York to benefit Autism Speaks and the New York Center for Autism Charter School.
May 24, 2006
Department of Defense Appropriations Bill:
On Wednesday, May 24, several Autism Speaks volunteers from the Pittsburgh area traveled to Washington to enlist support for autism research funding through the Department of Defense.
May 19, 2006
Funding for Autism Research.Autism Speaks Board Member Ann Gibbons presented testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education at a hearing on May 19.
May 24, 2006
Department of Defense Appropriations Bill:
On Wednesday, May 24, several Autism Speaks volunteers from the Pittsburgh area traveled to Washington to enlist support for autism research funding through the Department of Defense.
May 26, 2006
Washington Report Archive
An Inside Look at Autism Speaks Advocacy in the Nation’s CapitolThe Combating Autism Act. The House version of the Combating Autism Act (H.R. 2421) gained another cosponsor this week – Representative Jerry Weller (R-IL-11). This brings the total number of House supporters to 126, including original sponsors Representatives Mary Bono (R-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO).
June 9, 2006
The Combating Autism Act. During the past week, Senators Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Jim Talent (R-MO), joined as cosponsors of the Senate bill (S. 843). The bill now has 38 supporters, including original sponsors Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT).June 16, 2006
The Washington Report: An Inside Look At Autism Speaks Advocacy In The Nation’s Capitol
Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. There is excellent news to report – the FY 2007 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Bill, reported out of the House Appropriations Committee this week, includes $7.5 million for autism research.
June 23, 2006
The Combating Autism Act. During the past week, Senator Tom Harkin(D-IA) joined as a cosponsor of the Senate bill (S. 843). Senator Harkin is a member of the committee that has jurisdiction over the bill (the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee). He also holds the important position of Ranking Minority Member of the appropriations subcommittee that develops the annual spending bill to fund programs within the Department of Health and Human Services.June 30, 2006
Autism Speaks: Washington Report Archive
An Inside Look at Autism Speaks Advocacy in the Nation’s CapitolOn June 20, the New York legislature approved a bill (A699-B) that would provide insurance parity for individuals with autism by prohibiting insurers from denying coverage for services based solely on a diagnosis of autism.
July 14, 2006
The Combating Autism Act. On Wednesday, the staff of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions released its re-draft of the Combating Autism Act (S. 843).
July 20, 2006
Autism Speaks: Washington Report Archive
An Inside Look at Autism Speaks Advocacy in the Nation’s CapitolJuly 27, 2006
Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. As reported in June, the House of Representatives passed a FY 2007 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill that includes $7.5 million for autism research. The Senate version of the bill is not expected to include this funding, however, since it was not included in the Defense Appropriations bill reported out of committee last week. Therefore, advocates must work to get the House-Senate conference committee to include the House provision in its “conference report” (House-Senate compromise bill).August 2006
Town & Country: Autism’s Angels
Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright are profiled in an article in the August issue of Town and Country magazine entitled “Autism’s Angels.”
In the article, the Wrights discuss their reasons for founding Autism Speaks and the organization’s mission. The article looks at the work of a number of prominent autism advocates, including Autism Speaks board member Laura Slatkin and her husband Harry Slatkin, creators of the New York Center for Autism (NYCA) charter school, and Jim and Marilyn Simons, founders of the Simons Foundation & SFARI.
This article pushes ABA as the solution to autism.
This campaign was simply one piece of the marketing tsunami Autism Speaks launched to lobby support for legislation and build an army of parent advocate ‘warriors’ to support their agenda for Autistics.
August 4, 2006
Combating Autism Act. The Senate approved this landmark legislation on August 3. The bill, which now goes before the House of Representatives, would nearly double federal spending on autism.August 4, 2006
Autism Speaks Applauds Unanimous Approval of Combating Autism Act by United States Senate
Landmark Legislation Authorizing Nearly $1 Billion in Autism Funding Now Moves to the House of Representatives
August 25, 2006
Florida Volunteers Visit with Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Bill Young about Autism Research FundingSeptember 5, 2006
Autism Speaks, First Signs, and Florida State University to Collaborate on Web-Based Autism Video Glossary
September 6, 2006
Years of Advocacy Result in Legislation Creating First Department of Defense-Sponsored Medical Research Program for Autism
September 7, 2006
The Washington Report: An Inside Look At Autism Speaks Advocacy In The Nation’s Capitol
Combating Autism Act. Autism Speaks and other groups continue to work toward passage this year of the Combating Autism Act. Toward that end, we are seeking additional cosponsors for the House version of the bill (H.R. 2421), which currently has 141 cosponsors.September 22, 2006
Combating Autism Act. Autism Speaks and other groups continue to work toward passage this year of the Combating Autism Act. Toward that end, we are seeking to get 218 Representatives (a majority of the House) to cosponsor the House version of the bill (H.R. 2421).
September 26, 2006
“Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure that their voices were heard on Capitol Hill,” said Ann Gibbons, a member of the Autism Speaks board of directors who has led the organization’s efforts on this issue. “We thank the members of Congress and their staff members who took the time to meet with us and listened to our urgent call for increased autism funding.”
September 29, 2006
Autism Speaks: Autism Community Consensus Statement on the Combating Autism Act
The refusal of House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe Barton to move the Combating Autism Act (S.843) from his committee and bring it to the floor for a vote prior to the pre-election recess is a devastating blow to people with autism and their families. However, the fight for this critical legislation continues.
September 29, 2006
Combating Autism Act In Jeopardy.
The refusal of House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) to move the Combating Autism Act (S.843) from his committee and bring it to the floor for a vote prior to the pre-election recess is a devastating blow to people with autism and their families. However, the fight for this critical legislation continues
October 1, 2006
Rick Santorum Walks for Autism
October 12, 2006
Your Action Still Needed on the Combating Autism Act. Grassroots volunteers are continuing to work hard to save the Combating Autism Act.October 19, 2006
Autism Speaks: The Washington Report: An Inside Look At Autism Speaks Advocacy In The Nation’s CapitolAutism families and the media demand action on the Combating Autism Act, pressuring Joe Barton to bring the bill to the floor.
October 13, 2006
Autism Speaks Hosts Gastroenterology Workshop
Responding to community interest, Autism Speaks hosted a workshop on autism and gastroenterology in Boston, Massachusetts.
In an effort to capture all perspectives on this topic, participants included members of the Autism Speaks Scientific Advisory Committee and leading experts on pediatric gastroenterology and autism.
Included:
Paul Ashwood, Federico Balzola, Margaret Bauman, Athos Bousvaros, Timothy Buie, David Burnham, Stan Cohen, Andrew Conrad, Anil Darbari, Gary Goldstein, Susan Hyman, Arthur Krigsman, Dr. Alan M. Leichtner, Elizabeth Mumper, Leonard Rappaport, Ann Reynolds, Mark Roithmayr, Andy Shih, Andrew Wakefield, Allan Walker
MIND Institute, Hospital Molinette, The Ladders Clinic, Children’s Hospital Boston, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, PediaMed Pharmaceuticals, Emory College, National Genetics Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Thoughtful House Center for Children, Advocates for Children
November 6, 2006
Autism Speaks Announces New Staff Appointments
Organization Names New National Director of Leadership Giving, National Director of Creative Services and Director of Communications: Richard Brown, Bill Shea & Dana Marnane.
November 13, 2006
Do the election results change the strategy for the CAA?
In short, no. Due to the autism community’s pressure on Chairman Barton, he is open to serious negotiations, which are ongoing. If a good bill can be achieved during the remainder of this Congress (which reconvenes on November 13), then the CAA could become law by 2007.
November 13, 2006
Do the election results change the strategy for the CAA?
In short, no. Due to the autism community’s pressure on Chairman Barton, he is open to serious negotiations, which are ongoing. If a good bill can be achieved during the remainder of this Congress (which reconvenes on November 13), then the CAA could become law by 2007.
November 21, 2006
Autism Speaks Announces New Staff Structure for its National Walk Program
Organization Names New National Director of Field Operations, National Walk Director and Senior Regional Director–Mid West
November 29, 2006
Cure Autism Now and Autism Speaks Announce Plans to Combine Operations
Merger of Leading Autism Organizations Will Lead to Enhanced Research, Treatment and Advocacy Programs
December 6, 2006
Bob and Suzanne Wright, co-founders of Autism Speaks, talk about the Combating Autism Act on NBC.
December 7, 2006
Imus Talks About Bos & Suzanne Wright, and the Combating Autism Act
December 11, 2006
Rick Santorum on Combating Autism Act on Imus
December 20, 2006
Autism Speaks and Cure Autism Now Applaud Presidential Signing of the Combating Autism Act
Landmark Legislation Authorizes Nearly $1 Billion in Autism Funding
2007
2007 (110th Congress)
Lobbied by: Autism Speaks
S. 937 – Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act of 2007
H.R. 1881 – Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act of 2007 H.R. 2609 – Empowering Children with Autism through Education Act of 2007 H.R. 2390 – TEACH Act of 2007
S. 937 – Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007
H.R. 1881 – Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007 H.R. 2609 – Empowering Children with Autism through Education Act of 2007 H.R. 2390 – TEACH Act of 2007
S.1710 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008
H.CON.RES.99 Revising the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
H.J.RES.72 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes.
H.J.RES.69 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes.
S.2009 A bill to authorize additional funds for emergency repairs and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35 bridge located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007, to waive the $100,000,000 limitation on emergency relief funds for those emergency repairs and reconstruction, and for other purposes.
H.J.RES.20 Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007
S.CON.RES.21 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012.
January 25 – 26, 2007
Cure Autism Now Holds Annual Autism Research Summit Meeting
First ever Autism and Immunology Workshop took place in Pasadena, Calif. on the campus of the California Institute of Technology.
Organized by Cure Autism Now, and co-sponsored by Autism Speaks and a donation from Mr. Peter Emch, 26 scientists gathered to discuss the involvement of the immune system in autism. The group was assembled to evaluate the findings and to galvanize the field of autism to focus on this underdeveloped area of research.
Included: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Andy Zimmerman, Sophia Colamarino, Paul H. Patterson, California Institute of Technology; Carlos Pardo, Johns Hopkins University, Mady Hornig, Dennis O’Dell, Cynthia Molloy, Harumi Jyonouchi, Robert Fujinami, Angela Vincent, Steven Maier, Lisa Boulanger, Mil Jonakait, Paul Patterson, Judy Van de Water, Paul Ashwood, M.I.N.D. Institute, Susan Swedo, National Institutes of Health Intramural Autism Research Program, Lisa Boulanger,
January 2, 2007
Autism Speaks: “Autism Every Day, a documentary that takes viewers inside the lives of families struggling to raise children with autism, has been selected by the Sundance Institute as a special screening film at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. “
The film was directed by Lauren Thierry of the October Group and co-produced by Ms. Thierry and Eric Solomon of Milestone Video. Funding for the film was provided by Autism Speaks.
Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright served as executive producers of the film. Autism Speaks Senior Vice President Alison Singer served as Executive in Charge of Production.
January 16, 2007
Autism Speaks: The ‘Pin is In’ at the Golden Globes as Stars from Heroes, 30 Rock, The Office and Others Show Their Support for Autism Speaks
January 26, 2007
Autism Speaks: Tune-in Alert: Autism Every Day Featured During Monday’s Hour-long Exporation of Autism on ABC’s The View
Autism Every Day, the powerful, new documentary produced by Autism Speaks, will be featured in a special hour-long exploration of autism on the popular daytime program “The View.”
The hour, airing Monday at 11:00 AM ET on the ABC Television Network, will include interviews with medical experts, individuals with autism and their families. It features Rosie O’Donnell, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and special guest co-host Toni Braxton, the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter who is also the mother of a son with autism.
January 30, 2007
Bill Cosby and Toni Braxton Headline Concert for Autism Speaks
February 5, 2007
February 6, 2007
Toys “R” Us Announces National Partnership with Autism Speaks
Toys “R” Us announced its support of Autism Speaks in its commitment to fund research that will help uncover the causes of, develop effective treatments for and ultimately find a cure for autism.
February 8, 2007
Autism Speaks: Prevalence of Autism Now 1 in 150, According to New CDC Report
Speaking at a Capitol Hill briefing about the new data, Dr. Gary Goldstein, Autism Speaks’ Scientific Advisory Committee Chair and President of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, said, “These new numbers provide a much more accurate picture of a disorder that has undoubtedly become a major national health crisis. Our dedication to finding critical answers about autism — potential causes, better treatments and, hopefully, a cure — must become that much more urgent today.”
March 8, 2007
Autism Speaks Announces Autism Awareness Month Initiatives and Special Events
April will mark the launch of the second phase of Autism Speaks’ successful public service advertising (PSA) campaign, produced in conjunction with the Ad Council and the Centers for Disease Control,and created pro bono by BBDO Worldwide.
March 21, 2007
Tune-in: Suzanne Wright on CNN’s Larry King Live (transcript included)
March 22, 2007
Discover Magazine: Autism: It’s Not Just in the Head
“The devastating derangements of autism also show up in the gut and in the immune system. That unexpected discovery is sparking new treatments that target the body in addition to the brain.”
April 10, 2007
Autism Speaks‘ Executive Vice President Peter Bell will serve as Chair of the Integration Panel of the Department of Defense FY07 Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program. The announcement was made at the first meeting of the panel last week.
April 17, 2007
Executive Committee Member Jon Shestack and Actor/advocate Bradley Whitford Speak in Support of Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA)
April 11, 2007
Autism Society of America: Calls for Collaborative Response to Crisis in Autism Services and Supports
APRIL 17, 2007
Autism Treatment and Research Hearing
Witnesses testified about the prevalence of autism and policy implications for health care in the U.S. Among the topics they addressed were combating autism, available treatments, research into the disease, and coordinating a federal response to the problem.
View Original Testimony Video : https://www.c-span.org/video/?197628-1/autism-treatment-research
Autism Treatment & Research Hearing: Statement of Bob Wright Co-Founder of Autism Speaks
United States Autism Treatment & Research Hearing: Statement by Dr. Thomas R. Insel
May 3 – 5, 2007
International Epidemiology Meeting at the 2007 International Meeting for Autism Research (INSAR)
Researchers Gather to Assess State of Autism ScienceIncluded: Cure Autism Now (CAN), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Autism Society of America (ASA), Autism Speaks, Peter Bell, Patricia Kuhl, Geraldine Dawson, Autism Speaks’ Autism Genome Project (AGP), Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), Daniel Geschwind, Matt State, Anthony Bailey, Autism Brain Atlas Project, Jerzy Wegiel, Christoph Schmitz, researcher Manny Casanova, Karen Dobkins, Sally Rogers, Timothy Buie, Autism Treatment Network (ATN), Karen Harum, Mary-Claire King, Thomas Insel, Portia Iversen, Laurent Mottron, Ofer Golan , Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, Rita Cantor, Elizabeth Aylwardm Eric Hollander, Evdokia Anagnostou,
June 5, 2007
Autism Speaks: Mexico City Autism Conference
Included: Carlos Marcin, Eric Fombonne, Catherine Lord, Margaret Pericak Vance, Helen Tager, Issac Pessah, Ami Klin, Humberto Nicolini, Geraldine Dawson, Peter Szatamari, Joe Piven, Victor Ruggieri, Sam Odom, Clara M. Lajonchere, Eric Courchesne, Cecilia Montiel, Andy Shih, Pat Levitt, Eric Courchesne, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Tony Charman,
Also: International Congress for Autism, Mexican Autism Clinic, AGRE, Autism Tissue Program (ATN), Clinical Trials Network (CTN)
June 15, 2007
Texas enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included: Rick Perry, Eddie Lucio, Cynthia Singleton
Also: Texas Association of Business
June 15, 2007
July 17, 2007
The bill (HB 1150), introduced by the Speaker, would create a new “Autism Spectrum Disorders Coverage” provision of the Pennsylvania insurance law.
September 10, 2007
Autism Speaks Previews Fall 2007 Initiatives and Events
Launch of Web-based Autism Video Glossary, YouTube and TiVo Channels and 100 Day Kit Among Highlights
Autism Speaks Channel on TiVo
October 2007
Autism Speaks – National Institute of Mental Health Conference
Included: Heidi Alaskary, Mohammed Aldosari, Laura Almasy, Nada Al-Tassan, Anthony Bailey, Lina Basel-Vanagaite, Arthur Beaudet, Linda Brady, Beatriz Camarena, Mark Daly, Bernie Devlin, Zakaria El-Sayed, Hatem El-Shanti, Michael Escamilla, Steve Foote, Daniel Geschwind, Clara Lajonchere, Thomas Lehner, Brian F. Meyer, Steve Moldin, Eric Morrow, Vishwajit Nimgaonkar, Johnathan Sebat, Matthew State, Ming Tsuang, Christopher Walsh, Janice Ware, Seung-Yun Yoo
October 2, 2007
Representative Chris Smith Calls for the Passage of The Combating Autism Act
October 31, 2007
Autism Speaks Applauds New American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines for Autism
Organization Praises AAP Report Recommending Early Autism Screening of All Children, Calls for Insurance Companies to Provide Full Medical Coverage for Autism Treatments
The AAP now recommends that all children be screened for autism spectrum disorder twice before age 2 — once at 18 months and once at 24 months — as part of well baby checkups. Further, it recommends that treatment for autism be started when autism spectrum disorder is suspected, rather than when a formal diagnosis is made.
November 13, 2007
November 15, 2007
November 20, 2007
November 16, 2007
Autism Speaks & CDC: Autism Epidemiology Network
Autism Speaks and the CDC are establishing an international information sharing network to study the epidemiology of autism
Autism Speaks and the CDC meet monthly by telephone to discuss progress of the initiative and upcoming possibilities and activities. The minutes from these monthly conferences can be found here:
Included: Autism Epidemiology list-serv, Michael Rosanoff, Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp
December 20, 2007
Autism Speaks Approves more than $565,000 in Family Services Community Grants
Although our primary mission at Autism Speaks is to identify more effective treatments and ultimately find a cure for autism, we are also committed to improving the quality of life for those affected by autism today,” said Peter Bell, executive vice president of programs and services at Autism Speaks, who also has a 14 year old son with autism.
December 26, 2007
President Signs Bill Authorizing Funding of Combating Autism Act
December 27, 2007
Autism Speaks Announces Multi-State Insurance Legislation Campaign
2008
2008 (110th Congress)
Bills lobbied by: Autism Speaks
S.2950 Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2008
H.R.2370 Financial Security Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007
S.2743 Financial Security Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2008
S.2741 Disability Savings Act of 2008
H.R.5658 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009
H.R.6930 To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize extended benefits for certain autistic dependents of certain retirees.
S.3230 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009
S.3689 Economic Recovery Act of 2008
H.R.2642 Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008
H.R.7110 Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008
S.3604 Economic Recovery Act, 2008
H.R.2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 200
March 21, 2008
Arizona enacts Autism Insurance Reform to cover ABA
AKA: Steven’s Law
Included: Jan Brewer, Amanda Aguirre, Char Ugol, Lisa Glow, Melissa Van Hook, James Adams, Carolyn Warden, Autism Society of America, Greater Phoenix Chapter; ASA Pima County and Northern Arizona Chapter; Supporting Autism Now through Education (SANE); Asperger Parent Network; Arizona Autism Coalition; Arizona Autism Support; Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), Recover our Kids (ROK), and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), among others.
May 2, 2008
Florida enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA.
Included: Charlie Crist , Ari Porth, Kenneth Pruitt, Marco Rubio , Andy Gardiner, Steven Geller
July 2, 2008
Louisiana enacted autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included: Bobby Jindal, Toni Peters, Franklin J. Foil, Don Cravins
July 9, 2008
Pennsylvania enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included: Dennis O’Brien, Jane Orie, Robert Casey, Ed Rendell, Nick Micozzie, Tony DeLuca, Don White, Mike Stack, Dominic Pileggi, Joseph Scarnati, Robert Mellow, Richard Foxx, David Gates, James Bouder, Kim Motosicky, Rachel Brooks
Also: The Pennsylvania Health Law Project
“This is, quite simply, an issue of civil rights for thousands of Pennsylvanians,” said Speaker O’Brien. “It’s a matter of justice.”December 13, 2008
Illinois enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included: James DeLeo, Peter DiCianni, Lee Jorwic, Christopher Kennedy
2009
2009 (111th Congress)
Bills Lobbied By: Autism Speaks
S. 819 Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009
H.R. 3200 America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009
H.R. 2413 Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009
S. 493 ABLE Act of 2009
H.R. 1205 ABLE Act of 2009
S. 1679 Affordable Health Choices Act
S. 1679 Affordable Health Choices Act
S. 706 Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2009
H.R. 3293 Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2010
H.R. 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution
H.R. 1600 To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the treatment of autism under TRICARE.
H.R.3326 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010
S. 1796 America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009
H.R. 3590 Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act
H.R. 3862 Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010
S. 1373 Federal Research Public Access Act of 2009
H.R. 1707 Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2009
S. 914 Cures Acceleration Network and National Institutes of Health Reauthorization Act of 2009
H.R. 3288 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010
H.R. 1670 Community Choice Act of 2009
H.R. 2996 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010
S. 683 Community Choice Act of 2009
S. 1169 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the treatment of autism under TRICARE.
H.R. 1105 Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
H.R. 2 Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
H.R. 1 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
H.R. 4247 Keeping All Students Safe Act
H.R. 2412 Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act
S. 3230 NEPA Certainty Act
March 24, 2009
Autism Science Foundation (ASF) founded by Alison Tepper Singer & Karen Margulis London, parents of an Autistic.
March 25, 2009
May 5, 2009
Montana enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included: Brian Schweitzer, Kim Gilan, Laura Simonsen, Kendall Van Dyk
May 29, 2009
Nevada enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included: Jim Gibbons, James Ohrenschall, Ralph Toddre
Also: Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders
June 2, 2009
Colorado enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included: Bill Ritter Jr. , Brandon Shaffer
July 1, 2009
Schwarzenegger Administration Sued For Allowing Health Insurance Companies To Deny Autism Care
“The suit, filed by Consumer Watchdog and Strumwasser & Woocher LLP, alleges that the DMHC, and its Director Cindy Ehnes, recently changed the state agency’s policy to permit insurers to deny coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis (“ABA”), an essential treatment for autism, in plain violation of the California Mental Health Parity Act.
“That law requires health insurers to cover and pay for all medically necessary treatments for autism, including ABA. If successful, the suit would require the DMHC to bar insurers from refusing to cover medical necessary ABA treatments.”
The suit also alleges that the DMHC and its Director Cindy Ehnes:
– Illegally instituted a policy of denying ABA treatment on the ground that providers were inadequately licensed, despite the fact that the law clearly requires health insurers to cover all medically necessary treatments for autism, including ABA, whenever such services are either provided or supervised by a licensed or certified professional.
July 23, 2009
Autism Speaks: Rep. Mike Doyle Makes Historic Pledge to the Autism Community
“In his opening remarks this week during the House Energy and Commerce Committee markup of HR 3200, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus, pledged that any health care reform bill that does not put an end to autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable.”
August 13, 2009
New Jersey enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included: Jon Corzine, Joseph Roberts, Joan Voss, Vincent Prieto, Joseph Vitale, Loretta Weinberg
October 19, 2009
Wisconsin enacts autism insurance reform to cover ABA
Included:
People: Jim Doyle, Judy Robson, Kim Hixson, Sonja Bingen, Amy Masek, Nissan Bar-Lev, Judy Robson, Sean Dilweg,
November 17, 2009
ASAN protest against Autism Speaks in New York City
Autistic Self Advocacy Network with Ari Ne’eman held signs and handed out flyers to Autism Speaks sponsors going to the New York City concert with Bruce Springsteen and Jerry Seinfield.
December 4, 2009
Autism Speaks Announces ReThink Partnership & Free Webinar
Autism Speaks in partnership with Rethink Autism will present a free live webinar, What You Need to Know, an orientation for parents and family members of children recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
The webinar was hosted by Lisa Goring, director of Family Services at Autism Speaks, and Dr. Bridget A. Taylor, senior clinical advisor at ReThink Autism.
International Badass Activists 