Autism Resource Center

Organizations such as Autism Speaks believe the federal government must play a significant role in research into the cause, treatment, and ultimately a cure for autism, provide relief to families through treatment, support services and best practices identification, and extend financial relief through autism insurance mandates and directed tax relief.

Some government agencies do provide informational pamphlets and booklets for families. Following is a list of government fact sheets (and web sites in which fact sheets can be downloaded) that provide assistance to families dealing with an individual on the autistic spectrum:

Support of the Expanding the Promise of Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA), a bill designed to provide demonstration grants for autism treatment and services. This landmark legislation would dramatically expand federal funding for lifelong services for individuals with autism. It was introduced in March by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO).
Funding and implementing the Combating Autism Act , passed in 2006. This Act authorizes expanded activities related to autism research, prevention, and treatment through FY 2011.
Supporting legislation to be introduced shortly to create a tax preferred savings account for families of children with developmental disabilities.
Supporting an increase to $15 million for autism research in the Fiscal 2008 Department of Defense Appropriations bill.
Establishing educational outreach to the policy staffs of all major party candidates for President in 2008.
ADA Restoration ACT of 2007 - Congress made a major contribution to the lives of people with disabilities by enacting the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). This law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment and provides access to state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation and telecommunications. However, federal courts have interpreted the ADA narrowly. As a result of these rulings, courts have denied ADA protection to millions of people that Congress intended for the law to cover. Millions of citizens have been left vulnerable to a narrow interpretation of the law, and people with disorders and disabilities such as autism, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy and those who use hearing aids may not be “disabled enough” to be protected under the ADA.