U.S. Democrat candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged to help autistic families by boosting funding for research and education to 700 million U.S. dollars a year, media reported Monday.
The number of autism diagnoses has risen from one in 10,000 in 1993, to one in 150 in 2007 -- or about 25,000 children diagnosed with autism each year in U.S., Clinton said. She called the disorder a national health crisis, saying it costs the nation at least 35 billion dollars each year.
"Driven by their love and devotion, mothers and fathers across the country have raised awareness, demanded funding, and opened our eyes to the needs of so many children," she said.
She said when it comes to autism, "we don't know how to cure it, and we don't even know the best ways to treat it."
"I think it's time we had a government and a president who recognized the seriousness of autism and addressed it head-on," Clinton said.
Hillary outlined her years helping children with autism, including co-sponsoring legislation called the Combating Autism Act in 2006, and earlier this year the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act. She criticized President Bush for refusing to fully fund such efforts.
If she's elected, Hillary said she would also take other autism initiatives including:
Expanding research to identify the causes of autism, including potential environmental reasons.
Improving education and early detection and intervention, including creating a task force to investigate autism treatments and services.
Training for teachers to instruct children with autism.
Lee Grossman, president and CEO of the Autism Society of America, said the investment America makes in early identification, services and support "will create opportunities for these individuals to contribute meaningfully in our society -- as is their right."
Source: Xinhua/agencies
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