Press Release

The ten year anniversary of the creation of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities was celebrated today by leaders in the fight against autism, an illness that impacts one of every 110 children in America and an estimated one in 94 in New Jersey. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-chair the Congressional Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE), was a guest speaker at the event today at PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.

    “The cost of caring for those with autism is staggering,” Smith said. “Thankfully, New Jersey has been a national leader in autism services and research.  We have some of the top schools in the nation and we have some of the most experienced and competent professionals in the field of autism in our non-profit organizations, in our medical institutions, and in our universities.” Click here to read the Congressman's remarks.

    Smith’s own Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research and Epidemiology Act (Title I, P.L. 106-310) recently marked its own tenth anniversary. The law authorized grants and contracts for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities, and established regional centers of excellence in autism surveillance and epidemiology.

    “We must remain committed until we see the research come to fruition and until we are providing the services so that all families affected by an ASD or other developmental disability can live with dignity and a reasonable level of comfort,” Smith said.

    In January, a report required by the Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006, cosponsored by Smith, described federal action undertaken since enactment of the CAA –mostly in the areas of research and services. The report describes autism-related research and service activities carried out by the federal government since enactment of the Combating Autism Act four years ago.  It was released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Autism Research Coordination at the National Institutes of Health.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one out of every 110 children (1 of 70 boys) in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder. Currently, 1.5 million individuals in the US are on the autism spectrum. The range and severity of symptoms of autism vary from case to case, but symptoms often include difficulties in communicating and interacting with other individuals and exhibiting repetitive behaviors and intense interests in specific subjects. The care involved in treating these symptoms often requires hours of intensive therapy every week - regimens that are often inaccessible or unaffordable for many families. With early intervention and concentrated treatment, the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can be mitigated, enabling individuals with autism and their families to participate more fully in their communities.