National Autism Awareness Month

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Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, more children will be diagnosed this year with autism than with diabetes, cancer, and AIDS combined. It is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world.

In fact, the United Nations General Assembly has gone so far as to adopt a resolution declaring April 2 as annual ``World Autism Awareness Day'' (WAAD). Autism is only the third disorder to be recognized in this manner by the UN, showing the disorder's pervasive nature and ever-increasing effect on millions of people throughout the world.

Autism afflicts one in every 150 American children--nearly one in every 94 boys. This statistic is disturbing, especially when we know so little about the root causes of the disorder.

As the Founder and co-chair of the Congressional Children's Health Care Caucus, I recognize the destructive force of autism and am proud to do my part to raise awareness of this life-altering and little known disorder. Children deserve a solid foundation--and communities are starting to understand autism like never before, but there is more we can do.

By raising public awareness of autism, my goal is to see that resources are dedicated to research the disorder's cause and to develop treatments and possibly, one day, a cure. Funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is an important part of this equation, as it offers the best hope to finding treatments and cures for diseases and disorders like autism.

Collectively, we must commit every available resource to research and treatment in order to enhance the quality of life for children, their families, and the people who care for and assist them in their lives.

Currently there is no medical detection or cure for autism, but early diagnosis and intervention holds much promise. Through enhancing awareness of autism, together we will offer hope to people who desperately need it. I encourage my colleagues to join in this mission to raise awareness and recruit the resources that will bring hope to children, their families, and their caregivers.

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