A message of hope in study of autism

A few days before Christmas, President Bush signed the Combating Autism Act of 2006, a hopeful message for the 1.5 million Americans with the development disorder, and their families.

It is the sad common ground of autism — touching rich and poor, Democrats and Republicans — that helped to swamp a disagreeably stubborn House committee chairman in a lame-duck Congress to send the bill to the president's desk.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a development disorder that affects people's ability to communicate and interact with others. Some are socially awkward; others need constant care; all are puzzles in their own right. As many as one in 166 children are affected, and boys are more likely to have it.

The federal law dedicates $1 billion over the next five years to combat autism through research, screening, early intervention and training. When funded, it will represent a 50 percent increase in federal investment.

The University of Washington's renowned Autism Center is poised to play an even larger role in finding solutions. Already designated a center of excellence for two National Institutes of Health research programs, the UW program is looking at the relationships between the brain and behavior in autism; language problems characteristic of autism; early diagnosis of autism and resulting outcomes; neuroimaging of autism; and the genetics of autism.

When the state Legislature convenes Jan. 8, lawmakers will have in hand the new report they commissioned from the Caring for Individuals with Autism Task Force. Comprised of researchers, educators, state officials and parents, the task force has recommended ways the state can invest to improve the lives of people with autism from birth through adulthood.

Autism's biggest challenge is its mystery, not only what causes it but how best to reach those who have it so they can be more successful. These efforts at both the federal and the state levels are important steps down the long road to better solutions.