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Belmar/Lake Como TAPinto News Article'Rep. Chris Smith Honored with Congressional Leadership Award for Autism Advocacy'By TAPINTO BELMAR/LAKE COMO STAFF
March 8, 2021 at 7:36 AM
WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Chris Smith has received a Congressional Leadership Award from Autism Speaks, a national advocacy group that promotes research and solutions for autism spectrum disorder. The award recognizes Smith’s longstanding service to the autism community and his extensive work in advocating for effective interventions and durable remedies for children with autism. Rep. Chris Smith has been honored with a Congressional Leadership Award from Autism Speaks, a national advocacy group that promotes research and solutions for autism spectrum disorder.Credits: Congressional Office of Chris Smith and Autism Speaks
“The dedicated leaders at Autism Speaks work tirelessly to help raise awareness and advocate for those with autism,” said Smith (R-4th District), who represents Belmar and Lake Como. “I thank them for their steadfast commitment to this important cause, and I am honored to receive this award.”
This marks the second time Smith has received the award, in addition to receiving the Award of Thanks from Autism Speaks, considered the nation’s largest advocacy organization for individuals with the developmental disorder and their families. Nationwide, autism affects one of every 54 children — including one in 34 boys — and one in 32 children — including one in 20 boys — in New Jersey, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We must do better to ensure children affected by autism have access to the education and support services they need to live healthy, independent lives, especially and including as they continue to grow and become adults,” said Smith, co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus.
“The additional challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to the autism community underscore that the current health system is not properly designed to meet their needs and demand further research and support programs," he said. Smith has authored four major laws on autism, including the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act — the comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that provides more than $1.8 billion through 2024 across multiple agencies to fund research, early detection and treatment for children with autism. Smith’s law also expands government programs to include older persons with autism who often are misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and overlooked. Founded 16 years ago by the grandparents of an autistic child, Autism Speaks is a New York-based nonprofit group whose goal is to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advance research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. TAPinto Belmar/Lake Como is the official electronic newspaper of both municipalities. As a locally owned and operated news organization, TAPinto through its advertisers is able to publish online, objective news 24/7 — free of charge. The above news article was published on March 8, 2021 by TAPinto Belmar/Lake Como, and can be found online at: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/belmar-slash-lake-como/sections/honors-and-achievements/articles/rep-chris-smith-honored-with-congressional-leadership-award-for-autism-advocacy |