John Edwards for President: ARCHIVAL MIRROR-Promise And Potential: A Plan For Autism

Promise And Potential: A Plan For Autism

"Autism affects families from every walk of life. Sometimes I talk about the Two Americas – but when it comes to fighting for families affected by autism and autism spectrum disorders, we must come together as One America to deliver on our national promise – helping every child realize their full potential." -- John Edwards

Autism and autism spectrum disorders affect an astonishing 1 in 150 children. More children than ever before – a 700 percent increase over the last decade – are being classified as having an autism spectrum disorder. We need to learn more about why the number of children diagnosed with autism and autism spectrum disorders has been growing. We know that early intervention is often crucial to helping children with these diagnoses reach their full potential, but the education and health care resources needed to help them and their families are strained to capacity. For families, caring for a child with autism can be expensive and emotionally draining. While Congress took an important step last year by dedicating more than $900 million to address autism over the next five years, more can and must be done. [IDEAData, 2005; CDC, 2007]

John Edwards believes every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her potential. Helping everyone reach personal independence and assume social responsibilities is a responsibility we all share. His Promise and Potential plan will:

Guarantee quality affordable health care for families living with autism – ending insurance discrimination.
Help unravel of mysteries of autism by issuing an all-hands-on-deck research challenge.
Fund schools so they can provide essential services.
Strengthen supports for families dealing with the diagnosis.
Ensure a continuum of care with lifelong supportive services.

Guarantee True Universal Health Care

We have two health care systems in this country today – one for families who can afford the very best care and one for everyone else. Edwards has proposed a detailed plan to take on the big insurance companies and HMOs and guarantee that every American can get the care they need, when they need it. As president, he will help guarantee coverage of autism care in Medicaid and under private insurance. Edwards' plan will also create "advanced medical homes" – doctors and health care providers that will ensure children have regular pediatrician visits and increase the likelihood that developmental disabilities will be diagnosed, and addressed, sooner. [AAP, 2001]

An All-Hands-on-Deck Research Challenge

We do not know enough about the causes of autism and autism spectrum disorders. In the Senate, Edwards was a leader in supporting research funding and promoting awareness for Fragile X Syndrome, which has been identified as a cause of autism and autism spectrum disorders. As president, he will issue an all-hands-on deck research challenge to unravel autism's mysteries and follow wherever the science takes us.

Fund Special Education so Students with Autism Can Excel

Special education funds have not kept pace with the rising number of children with autism and too often, schools must make difficult choices between competing priorities. Edwards will put the federal government on a steady path to full funding of its share of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Edwards will strengthen the workforce serving children with autism – investing more in recruiting, training and sufficiently paying teachers, therapists, psychologists and others working in the special education field.

Ensure a Continuum of Care with Lifelong Supportive Services

Government education services for people with disabilities end at age 21, even though the need does not, especially for many of those with autism. Thus, families are left to care for their adult children with disabilities largely on their own. Edwards will work to develop ongoing adult education vocational and recreational programs for those with autism. Edwards' plans for reforming the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and strengthening federal housing policy will expand the supply of affordable supportive housing for people with disabilities, including adults living with autism.

Support Families Living with Autism

Autism affects families, not just individuals. Local communities and nonprofit groups have done all they can to provide social support systems that are so important for many families with autism. We need to study which support models are effective, make sure health care providers know what works and help public-private partnerships replicate their success. Enormous burdens are placed on ordinary Americans who provide care for loved ones with disabilities like autism. As president, Edwards will support respite care services that provide home visits from nurses or other aides to give caregivers much-needed breaks and establish an Internet clearinghouse and education services to give families more information about available services.