Fwd: Autism Speaks Calls for $200 Million of Stimulus Funds for Autism Research

Autism Speaks Calls for $200 Million in New NIH Funding for Autism Research As a result of the stimulus plan recently signed into law by President Obama, (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will receive more than $10 billion in new funding over the next two years. With the increased prevalence of autism and a history of insufficient federal funding for autism research, Autism Speaks – the largest autism science and advocacy organization in the country – calls on the NIH to commit $100 million in funding for autism-specific research in each of the next two years. The new funding should focus on research into the causes of autism, new and enhanced treatment options, and improved methods of early diagnosis and intervention. A $200 million commitment to autism research would amount to just two percent of this unexpected, new windfall for medical research, an amount that is certainly reasonable and appropriate considering both the need and the scientific opportunity. "For too long, autism research has been grossly under funded at the federal level," said Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer. "This is a prime opportunity to help remedy that discrepancy by dedicating a significant amount of new NIH funding to truly innovative and promising autism research. There are many 'beaker-ready' research initiatives that merit this funding and hold tremendous promise for improving our understanding of autism and how to more effectively help individuals living with autism today. A significant infusion of NIH support will greatly accelerate the search for answers." "By allocating this significant amount of new research dollars to autism-related science, President Obama will be making an important down payment on fulfilling his campaign platform pledge to double research spending during his first term, and to increase the overall federal autism budget to $1 billion per year," said Bob Wright, Co-founder of Autism Speaks. "In light of the $35 billion annual public health cost of autism, this money would represent a relatively small investment that can potentially result in major long-term savings to our society." Autism Speaks urges NIH to provide increased support for studies focused on identifying the genetic and environmental causes and development of effective treatments throughout the lifespan, as well as support for the creation of biorepositories, comparative effectiveness research, and fellowships.

All proceeds benefit Autism Speaks, a non-profit corporation. Send donations to Autism Speaks - Princeton * 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor * Princeton, New Jersey 08540 * (609) 430-9160; (888) 777-6227 * (609) 430-9163 (fax) * donations@autismspeaks.org * http://www.autismspeaks.org/ Autism Speaks is a 501(c)(3) organization, contributions to which are tax-deductible as permitted by law. Tax ID 20-2329938

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Fwd: e-Speaks: Walk with Wubbzy for World Autism Awareness Day; SOFIA Pharmaceutical Trial Results; Benefits of Exercise

e-Speaks || February 20, 2009 Autism Speaks Walks with 'Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!' for World Autism Awareness Day Autism Speaks is partnering with Wubbzy – star of Nick Jr.'s television series "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!" – to promote World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) on April 2. Wubbzy will star in a public service announcement and on a special web site to encourage supporters to participate in the virtual Walk on the Web. Read more. Autism Speaks Announces Results from SOFIA Pharmaceutical Trial Autism Speaks announced initial results reported for the first industry-sponsored trial of the Autism Clinical Trials Network (ACTN), the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). These results showed that fluoxetine was not effective for reducing repetitive behaviors in children and adolescents with autistic disorder as compared to placebo. Read more. Sports, Exercise and Physical Activity Show Benefits for Individuals with Autism New research and anecdotal evidence suggest that some alternative therapeutic choices that include sports, exercise and other physical activities can be useful adjuncts to traditional behavioral interventions, leading to improvement in symptoms, behaviors and quality of life for individuals with autism. Reviewing some of the current literature, Autism Speaks' Chief Science Officer, Geri Dawson, Ph.D., and Assistant Director of Research and Public Health, Michael Rosanoff, MPH, demonstrate that physical activity may be an effective supplement to, and potentially enhance the benefits of proven behavioral interventions. Read more. Five States Enter the Fight for Autism Insurance Reform The list of states with endorsed autism insurance reform bills has grown to 19, with five more introductions. State legislatures in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin have all introduced bills that would require private insurance companies to provide coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. To find out more about the recently endorsed bills and to take action by sending an e-mail to state legislators, click on the following links: Georgia – SB 161/HB 426; Iowa – HF1/SF1; Nevada – AB 162; Ohio – HB 8; and Wisconsin – SB 3-SSA 1. IAN Reports on Social Skills Groups The Interactive Autism Network (IAN), a project collecting information online from families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) throughout the United States, surveyed parents about social skills groups, which are intended to address the core social deficit in ASD by improving social understanding and interaction. IAN reports that more than 14% of participating children are taking part in a social skills group. This percentage is even higher for older children, and children with PDD-NOS or Asperger's syndrome. In this report, IAN researchers share information about families' experiences with social skills groups. Read more. Kickoff for a Cure IV Gala Honorees Announced Autism Speaks and The Gillen Brewer School will once again team up for the Kickoff for a Cure IV dinner gala on March 11 at the Waldorf=Astoria hotel in Manhattan. A group of NFL greats, past and present, will be on hand to salute the evening's honorees: Harold McGraw, III, Chairman, President and CEO, The McGraw-Hill Companies; Jeff Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles owner; Larry Babbio, former Vice Chairman & President, Verizon Communications, Inc.; and Eugene Napoleon, CEO / President of Nap Records and Nap Sports, LLC., and best-selling author of "Dream Real." Last year's event raised nearly $2 million. Read more about the upcoming event here. Read a recap of last year's event and view photos and video here. "First Look for Charity" Raises More than $60,000 for Autism Speaks For the eighth consecutive year, Autism Speaks was selected as one of the benefiting charities of the prestigious Chicago Auto Show "First Look for Charity" event, which took place on Feb. 12. The 2009 event raised more than $60,000 for Autism Speaks. Read more and view photos here. Family Services Launches Community Connections   Autism Speaks' Family Services department has launched Community Connections, a new monthly feature which offers practical suggestions to help individuals with autism, their families, and others have a positive experience in their local community. This month's edition focuses on Social Mixers, community events where individuals with autism can practice their social skills. Learn more and read details of one family's successful event here.     Donor Story: Ewing Irrigation Products   Our latest donor story tells how employees of a Phoenix-based company raised $50,000 for Autism Speaks by participating in the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon. Read more. Plus, read other donor stories here, and donate to Autism Speaks here. In Their Own Words: Heroes and Daddy In our latest "In Their Own Words" essay, a father tells how a classroom assignment completed by his eight-year-old son with autism reminded him what really defines a "hero." Read more. Coming Soon Feb. 21: Palm Beach County Walk Now for Autism (West Palm Beach, Fla.)  Treasure Coast Walk Now for Autism (Jensen Beach, Fla.) Feb. 22: Miami-Dade Walk Now for Autism (Key Biscayne, Fla.) Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (El Segundo, Calif.) Feb. 24: Northern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Hackensack, N.J.) Feb. 26: Chicago Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Rolling Meadows, Ill.) Feb. 27: Southern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Collingswood, N.J.) Feb. 28: Sonoma Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Sonoma, Calif.) Chicago Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Park Ridge, Ill.) Cincinnati Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Mason, Ohio) Mar. 1: Georgia Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Atlanta, Ga.) Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Glendale, Calif.) Mar. 3: Utah Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Salt Lake City, Utah) Spring Walk Now for Autism events begin on February 21, 2009. Find a Walk near you! Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day The second annual World Autism Awareness Day will be celebrated on April 2. Learn more about World Autism Awareness Day and planned worldwide activities here. Help raise funds for Autism Speaks by participating in this year's Walk with Wubbzy on the Web. Stay tuned for updates regarding World Autism Awareness Day events, fundraising opportunities and merchandise. Donate Now | Contact Us This e-mail is only available in HTML format. If you cannot read HTML messages, just click the following link to view this e-mail in your browser: http://www.autismspeaks.org/html_email/e_speaks_2009_0220.php. © 2009 Autism Speaks, Inc. Please add contactus@autismspeaks.org to your address book or safe sender list to ensure e-Speaks is delivered to your inbox.

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Fwd: President Signs Economic Recovery Package Into Law

President Signs Economic Recovery Package Into Law   February 18, 2009   As is being widely reported in the press, President Obama yesterday signed into law the massive $787 billion economic recovery and stimulus package. The bill, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HR 1), includes a broad range of tax cuts, aid to states and investments in health care.   There are a broad range of provisions that are expected to have a major impact on public programs and agencies serving children and adults with serious mental illnesses at the federal, state and local level. These include critical investments to shore up safety net programs such as Medicaid, disability benefits, supportive housing and special education. In addition, the new law includes additional funding for medical research and health information technology.   A major focus of the new law will be spending funds as quickly as possible in most cases with requirements for agencies to obligate 60% of funds allocated within 24 months and 100% within 60 months. NAMI has developed a summary of the major provisions in the package of interest to people living with mental illness and their families. Updates will be provided as federal agencies announce specific plans for how funds are to be expended.   Click here to view a summary of the provisions of interest to persons living with mental illness.   Click here to view a comprehensive summary of the new law, as well as the full text and the accompanying legislative report on the House of Representatives website. NAMI E-News Alerts are electronic newsletters provided free of charge as a public service. With more than 1,100 state and local affiliates, NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses. Contributions to support our work can be made online. If you do not wish to receive further E-News Alerts, please click here, sign in and uncheck the box next to E-News. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please send an email to enews@nami.org.

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Fwd: Apply For Disaster Assistance; Don't Let Myths And Misunderstandings

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Apply For Disaster Assistance; Don't Let Myths And Misunderstandings

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:11:19 -0600

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge residents in declared counties affected by the January 6-16, 2009 severe winter storm, landslides, mudslides, and flooding, to apply for disaster assistance. Residents should not let misunderstandings and misconceptions prevent them from applying for assistance to help in their recovery. They should call the toll free teleregistration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585) to get accurate information.

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FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472 · 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362)

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You've been invited to IndiaStarts

Your Official Invitation to IndiaStarts - The Indian Business Social Network AnnMarie Cunniff has: 3 friends New Business Networking Website. Over 500 members already. Sign on for strong business resources. Ann Cunniff Click Here to Accept Come see & connect - the fastest growing absolutely free social network for Indian business. Members who recently joined IndiaStarts - The Indian Business Social Network: Eugene Galves Joachim Ausner glob-In Nikhil Joshi Nita Jain About IndiaStarts - The Indian Business Social Network A free Social Network for Indian business. Network, share advice & information, find a job & promote your business 518 members 61 videos 36 discussions 95 blog posts   To control which emails you receive on IndiaStarts - The Indian Business Social Network, click here

WE ALL NEED HELP!

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At one time or another, in our life, we all need some help. There are so many things that have changed and a lack of security faces us daily. I m providing these links because my faith in the government is strong and I believe that President Obama and his cabinet will get us through, but if we do need resources these links will come in handy. Tuck them away for another day.
GOVERNMENT BENEFITS

GOVERNMENT LOANS

Lets all Pray that we never need them.

POLLYANNA CURES S.A.D

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Every time an old Disney Film comes to television, I just have to watch it. One of my favorites is "Pollyanna."(with Hayley Mills) I love how she raises the spirit of the whole town and as much as they fight her, they all turn around and begin to give in to her "glad game." The glad game is similar to what the Law of Attraction teaches us about being grateful for what we have. Getting up every day and before going to bed every night, saying "ALOUD" what you are grateful for. I know it seems silly but if you try it you will see a difference in your life. something so simple, but so powerful.

It seems so many people around me are suffering from "Seasonal Affective Disorder." (SAD) To put it mildly and easy to understand, it can be referred to as "cabin fever." People begin to eat more when the days are shorter, the darkness longer, and the temperature drops. There is a normal reaction to these seasonal changes, but to some they make life so much more debilitating. It is harder for those that suffer from SAD to get through the days from Fall to Winter. One suffering from SAD looks everyday... for signs of spring in the hope that his/her day will come about without this huge effort to move through it. Looking forward to only a simple sign of sunshine and weather that is not unbearable...allowing them to get out, and take in some sun (vitamin D). There are lamps, light bulbs, and light boxes that help to alleviate the symptoms of SAD, but most suffer in silence not recognizing that they even suffer from this disorder.

If you know someone is suffering from SAD, you could entertain the idea of taking them out for the day by making it easier for them to get out and finding something irresistible to do, making them push through the sadness to partake of the "irresistible." Giving in to SAD can seriously debilitate them. Most are in denial because the stigma attached to mental disorders is still so common, but it is time to open the windows and let the sun in to help our family and friends through the winter and also in the hope that, if they do suffer, this will help to make their days easier.

You can find a list of the symptoms at MayoClinic.Com, and there are also some suggestions on how to help others get through the day. If you are feeling the winter blues, helping another can only "by default" also help you. Doing for another, for the sake of doing for them, can only, without thought of yourself...help you, so get out for some sun and take a friend, too.