Well I must say I was encouraged the other day when I was reading the White House Barack Obama blog. The post started off discussing how President Obama was going to tackle the growing problem of Americans with disabilities. As I read through the post he made no mention of any specific disabilities until I got to the last couple of paragraphs, he specifically lays out his plan to help Americans with Autism. Here is an excerp from his agenda, to read the full agenda report, which I encourage you to do click here.

President Obama and Vice President Biden are committed to supporting Americans with Autism Spectrum Disorders (“ASD”), their families, and their communities. There are a few key elements to their support, which are as follows:

First, President Obama and Vice President Biden support increased funding for autism research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services. There must be research of the treatments for, and the causes of, ASD.

Second, President Obama and Vice President Biden support improving life-long services for people with ASD for treatments, interventions and services for both children and adults with ASD.

Third, President Obama and Vice President Biden support funding the Combating Autism Act and working with Congress, parents and ASD experts to determine how to further improve federal and state programs for ASD.

Fourth, President Obama and Vice President Biden support universal screening of all infants and re-screening for all two-year-olds, the age at which some conditions, including ASD, begin to appear. These screenings will be safe and secure, and available for every American that wants them. Screening is essential so that disabilities can be identified early enough for those children and families to get the supports and services they need.

Now as a parent and a person who personally knows many kids with Autism, this is great news. I am very happy that finally all of us who have been screaming so loud over the past several years are being heard. And It appears they are listening too. This is a great start but we need to keep our voices loud, with some much going on in America right now it would be easy to forget about certain issues. Lets make sure we are not forgotten. Continue to do what you have been doing and be sure to support those who are fighting for Autism.