Congressman Chris Smith, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE – also known as the Autism Caucus), made the following statement today regarding the California Department of Developmental Services’ latest report on autism spectrum disorders.

    The report states that during the four years between December of 1998 and December of 2002, the total number of Californians with autism served by the department nearly doubled from 10,360 to 20,377.  During the 15 years from 1987 to 2002, autism cases increased by nearly 634 percent.

    "The numbers reported in the California study are reason for continued concern and underscores that the federal government must make autism research and treatment a priority.

    "It is my hope that this report will spur my colleagues in Congress to quickly act on initiatives to both increase surveillance and data analysis of autism nationwide and also ensure that the patients and families of those suffering from autism have access to services they need to live full lives.

    "More children have been diagnosed with autism than originally estimated, and the federal government must respond appropriately and compassionately.  As such, we should enact legislation – such as my TEACH Act (HR 1700) – that will help bring more qualified teachers into the classroom, help families receive support and services they need for their children, and help ensure vocational programs to assist people with autism transition from school to work are functioning as intended.

    "With regard to surveillance, we must establish collection and analysis projects in more states to provide researchers with access to a large enough data pool so that they may be able to determine causes and cures for autism.  Right now, we don’t have the necessary network of surveillance programs to determine if this California study is accurately capturing a national trend, as we believe it is."