Today the full InterAgency Autism Coordinating Committee met at NIMH location in Rockville, Maryland. Here is the agenda for the day:
Among the speakers were researchers from UCLA and Boston University who talked about studies they are doing on minimally verbal autism children. I think there is a great and huge need in this area and I am very interested in this kind of research.
We were also suppose to get one of my favorite autism moms – Portia Iversen, but due to some scheduling conflict was not able to come. This mom solely got Soma into the U.S and introduced RPM therapy for thousands of children who are minimally verbal, but are very smart and can learn academics. I simply can’t wait to meet this mom and hope we invite her back.
We also heard from the researchers of the recent parent survey from HRSA which stated autism is now one in 50 for school aged children in the U.S.A.
We also heard and read written and oral public comments, one of which showed us a video of children who have severe behavior problems, bolt and are the most vulnerable. I think this really was significant and showed the need for more support for children with severe autism who also have medical underlying issues.
The next meeting is on July 9th – stay tuned for that. And, if you live in Minnesota and write a comment and would like me to bring it up, please let me know. Plus, I really encourage all parents to keep writing public comments or come for the oral. It does really make a difference and I assure you all of the U.S Federal agencies do listen and take it heart. It also can result in policy or research funding as well as it did for the Somali autism study back in 2010.
Thanks and God Bless!
Idil – Somali Autism Mom