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.

“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.

Smith’s involvement on autism issues stepped up in 1997 when two constituents, Bobbie and Billy Gallagher of Brick — dedicated parents of two young autistic children — walked into his Ocean County office asking for help. The Gallaghers continue to work with Smith on autism advocacy issues to this day.

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.

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