Autism Research Under Obama: Will there be an autism czar?

by Kristina Chew · 2009-02-06 13:08:00 UTC
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Queen's crown on SunfoxDora's recent post on whether there's too much NIH funding for autism sparked a lot of discussion. The question was timely: Scientists and researchers are predicting that research on autism will "prosper" under President Obama, according to an article by Virginia Hughes on the website of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative. [Disclaimer: I'm quoted in the article.]

On the other hand, the Journal of New England Technology reported that MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory has ceased operations due to ".....heavy losses sustained from the collapse of fraudulent money manager Bernard Madoff’s fund, the local and national press has reported"----will other sources of funding for autism research be affected, too?

Autism was given specific mention on the Whitehouse website and it's been noted that, on his official campaign website, Obama has called for the creation of an "autism czar" who would (as Hughes's article says)

..... oversee research on autism, eliminate bureaucracy, and coordinate autism-related agencies at state and local levels. The website added that Obama would fully fund the 2006 Combating Autism Act, which earmarked nearly $1 billion in autism-related federal funding over five years.

Any suggestions for potential candidates for what promises to be a job calling for understanding of disability and diversity, a great deal of diplomacy skills, and a really thick skin?

Photo by Sunfox.

Kristina Chew
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