IACC Soliciting Input for the Next Update of the Strategic Plan

Request for Information (RFI): Updating the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research:

On behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the Nation Institute of Mental Health is seeking comments to inform the annual update of the IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research, as required by the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-416).

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input from ASD stakeholders to inform the next update of the Strategic Plan. In the RFI form, there will be an opportunity to provide input on each section of the IACC Strategic Plan. Please include suggestions regarding missing or underrepresented knowledge areas, new opportunities needed for advancing research and knowledge about ASD, and suggestions for prioritizing research objectives.

The RFI will close on August 21, 2009.

Responses must be submitted electronically via the web-based form.

Background:

The IACC was established as a result of The Combating Autism Act. The act requires that the IACC develop a strategic plan for autism research and update the strategic plan annually. The IACC is composed of both Federal and public members. The first IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research was developed through an extensive process engaging a wide range of Federal agencies and public stakeholders. The Strategic Plan is organized around six questions that are important for people with ASD and their families:

I. When should I be concerned?

II. How can I understand what is happening?

III. What caused this to happen and can this be prevented?

IV. Which treatments and interventions will help?

V. Where can I turn for services?

VI. What does the future hold?

Please Note: The responses that you provide will become part of the public record. You have the option of posting your responses anonymously or you may choose to have your name associated with your response. In your responses, please do not include personally identifiable information that you do not wish to make public.

For more information about the IACC, please visit www.iacc.hhs.gov.

Now follow the IACC on Twitter (www.twitter.com/IACC_Autism).

Contact Information:

Attention: RFI on Updating the Strategic Plan for ASD Research
Office of Autism Research Coordination
Office of the Director
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8235, MSC 9669
Bethesda, MD 20892-9669
Email: iacc@mail.nih.gov

Autism Speaks Launches TV Ad Campaign Calling On Congress to End Insurance Discrimination Against Children With Autism

Click Here to Take Action Now!

US Supreme Court Ruling on Special Education (Forest Grove School District v. T.A.)

The Supreme Court has sided with the parents of "T.A." in the case of Forest Grove School District v T.A. (read the previous post for the details of the case).

The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that "IDEA authorizes reimbursement for private special-education services when a public school fails to provide a FAPE and the private school placement is appropriate, regardless of whether the child previously received special-education services through the public school."

National Coverage:

• Education Week: "Supreme Court Backs Reimbursement for Private Tuition"
• Boston Globe (Op-ed): "The Tragedy and Triumph of T.A."
• US News and World Report: "Court Ruling Helps Special Needs Students"

Local Coverage:

• Dallas Morning News: "School Districts Digest Ruling on Special Ed Refund"
• Dallas Morning News "The Education Front" Blog: "Special Ed Students: The Supreme Court's Game-Changer"
• Dallas Special Needs Kids Examiner: Dallas-area Schools Examine Court Ruling on Special Ed Refunds
  

Contact Senators Hutchison and Cornyn About the ATAA Today!

Neither Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison nor Senator John Cornyn have signed onto the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (the "ATAA"-Senate Bill 819). Learn more about the ATAA at:

http://www.autismvotes.org/ataa

Sen. Kay Hutchison: (202) 224-5922

Sen. John Cornyn III: (202) 224-2934

GAO Report: Special-needs Students Abused in Schools

A report documenting the abuse of special needs children in schools is scheduled to be released by the Government Accountability Office today. The GAO prepared the report for the House Education and Labor Committee, as it is considering new laws governing "what actions teachers can take to rein in disruptive special-needs students." Read the article at CNN.com.

The use of restraints and time-out in Texas schools is governed by the Commissioner's Rules Concerning Special Education Services §89.1053: Procedures for Use of Restraint and Time-Out.

UPDATE: The full report is now available at gao.gov. According to the report, Texas school officials have documented the restraint of 4,202 students 18,741 times in the September 2007 to June 2008 school year.

NPR's Morning Edition reports that the issue "has gotten the attention of the White House" and that on Monday "Kareem Dale, the White House assistant for disability policy, invited leaders of disability groups to the White House next Monday to discuss the issue."

Federal Legislation Update: the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act

Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA) has been introduced in the House; read more about it and e-mail your legislators to co-sponsor: http://www.autismvotes.org/ataa

Research News: A Link Between Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency; Phthalates

A Link Between Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency?

US News and World Report: Researchers are looking into whether Vitamin D deficiency might be a cause of autism (click to read)

A Chemical Found in Plastics Possibly Linked to Both Autism and Childhood Obesity

Also recently linked to autism in a research study: vinyl floors. Specifically, the chemical phthalates contained in the plastic of vinyl flooring would be the "main culprit." Another study has also linked phthalates to childhood obesity. Phthalates are present in many household products such as: personal care products like shampoos and liquid soaps, toys, plastic bottles, and many other items. Read more about the dangers of phthalates at the Environment Working Group's website, and tips on how to avoid products containing phthalates at thedailygreen.com.

In February, a federal law became effective that bans children’s toys and child care articles that contain more than 0.1% of six phthalates. Read more about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in this informative WebMD.com article.

Autism Awareness!

Lots of newsworthy happenings...Check out:

Nationally:

• Autism Society of America: Comprehensive autism legislation introduced in US Congress.
  
  
• AutismSpeaks.org's coverage of World Autism Awareness Day, including President Obama's statement on World Autism Awareness Day (pdf format).
  
  
• Kyle's Treehouse -- a recently relaunched website "dedicated to empowering all people touched by autism to make effective choice." A great resource for information and support!
  
  
• Didi Conn's (actress: Frenchy from "Grease") CNN.com commentary: "I was the Queen of Denial on Autism."
  

Locally:

• The Dallas Morning News' front page article on Elizabeth Scott, the Cedar Hill mom who wrote about her son's recovery from autism in her new book "Raindrops on Roman." They also featured a list of "red flags" and treatment tips from Scott.
  
  
• Don't forget: FEAT of North Texas's Easter Eggstravaganza this Saturday.