A bill to establish a health and education grant program related to autism spectrum disorders, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Global Autism Assistance Act of 
2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) In February 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and 
        Prevention released data indicating that--
                    (A) the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders 
                (ASD) increased between 1996 and 2006 from an estimated 
                1 in 500 to an estimated 1 in 150; and
                    (B) the behaviors of children who were classified 
                as suffering from ASD were consistent with the DSM-IV-
                TR criteria for Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, 
                and Pervasive Developmental Disorder--Not Otherwise 
                Specified.
            (2) Autism is a complex neurological disorder that affects 
        individuals in the areas of social interaction and 
        communication. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, it 
        affects each individual differently and to varying degrees of 
        severity.
            (3) People afflicted with autism process and respond to 
        information in unique ways. In some cases, coexisting medical 
        issues may be present and aggressive or self-injurious behavior 
        may occur.
            (4) The increased number of children diagnosed with autism 
        is a growing and urgent concern for families, healthcare 
        professionals, and educators. Health and education systems 
        struggle to respond to the needs of the autistic population in 
        a comprehensive manner.
            (5) The prevalence of autism in developing countries is 
        growing rapidly. Health and education systems in these 
        countries are particularly ill-equipped to deal with the issues 
        surrounding this growth. According to expert estimates, there 
        are approximately 2,500,000 people with an autism spectrum 
        disorder in China and approximately 2,000,000 with such 
        disorder in India. Although reliable statistics are difficult 
        to come by, a large number of these people are believed to be 
        children.
            (6) Children with autism who receive intensive and 
        appropriate educational services before 5 years of age often 
        make significant functional improvements. In the United States, 
        significant efforts are being pursued to expand early diagnosis 
        and the provision of these services.
            (7) In a November 2007 report on the identification, 
        evaluation, and management of children with autism, the 
        American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that all children 
        should be screened twice for autism before 2 years of age, even 
        if the children have no recognizable symptoms.
            (8) Early screening and services for autism are sorely 
        lacking in most of the developing world. United States 
        expertise could be used to significantly aid children and 
        families in developing countries for relatively small costs.

SEC. 3. AUTISM DEFINED.

    In this Act, the term ``autism'' means all conditions consistent 
with the autism spectrum disorders described in section 2(1).

SEC. 4. GLOBAL AUTISM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment and Purpose.--The Administrator, United States 
Agency for International Development (referred to in this section as 
the ``Administrator'') shall establish and administer a health and 
education grant program, to be known as the ``Global Autism Assistance 
Program'', to--
            (1) support activities described in subsection (c)(2) by 
        nongovernmental organizations and other service providers, 
        including advocacy groups, focused on treating autism in 
        developing countries; and
            (2) establish the ``teach the teachers'' program described 
        in subsection (d) to train health and education professionals 
        working with children with autism in developing countries.
    (b) Designation of Eligible Regions.--Not later than 120 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in 
consultation with knowledgeable autism organizations, such as the World 
Autism Organization, the Autism Society of America, and Autism Speaks, 
shall designate not fewer than 2 regions in developing countries that 
the Administrator determines--
            (1) require assistance in dealing with autism; and
            (2) have health and education professionals who are 
        sufficiently familiar with issues related to autism to make 
        effective use of the Global Autism Assistance Program.
    (c) Selection of Implementing Nongovernmental Organization.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        designation of eligible regions under subsection (b), the 
        Administrator shall select and provide funding to a 
        nongovernmental organization with experience in autism-related 
        issues to implement the Global Autism Assistance Program by 
        awarding grants to local service providers and advocacy groups 
        focused on autism.
            (2) Support and assistance.--The implementing 
        nongovernmental organization selected under paragraph (1) shall 
        provide, contract for, and coordinate technical assistance in 
        support of its mission in meeting the goals and purposes of 
        this Act.
            (3) Activities.--A local service provider or advocacy group 
        shall use grant funds received under paragraph (1) to carry out 
        any of the following activities:
                    (A) Education and outreach to the public.--Use 
                public service announcements and other public media to 
                help the public become more aware of the signs of 
                autism so that children with autism can be diagnosed 
                and treated earlier.
                    (B) Support to families.--Develop resources for 
                families, such as online Internet resource centers in 
                local languages. Disseminate materials to parents of 
                newly diagnosed children, such as information contained 
                in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 
                publication entitled ``Learn the Signs, Act Early'' and 
                other suitable alternatives. Disseminate educational 
                aids and guides to help parents with their children's 
                development.
                    (C) Support to educational institutions.--Provide 
                funding for schools or other educational institutions, 
                focusing on teachers of the youngest students. 
                Distribute equipment or materials referred to in 
                subparagraph (B).
                    (D) Support to clinics and medical centers.--
                Provide funding to clinics and medical centers with 
                proven records in addressing autism to assist with 
                operating expenses, including personnel, equipment 
                supplies, and facilities. Develop assessment testing 
                for autism. Acquire specialized equipment, such as 
                augmentative communication devices.
                    (E) Translation.--Translate relevant English-
                language publications into the local languages spoken 
                in the eligible regions designated pursuant to 
                subsection (b).
            (4) Applications for grants.--
                    (A) Submission of applications.--A local service 
                provider or advocacy group desiring a grant under this 
                subsection shall submit an application to the 
                implementing nongovernmental organization at such time, 
                in such manner, and containing such information as such 
                organization may require.
                    (B) Establishment of screening board.--
                            (i) In general.--The implementing 
                        nongovernmental organization selected under 
                        paragraph (1) shall establish a screening 
                        board, to be known as the ``Project Advisory 
                        Board'', to review and evaluate applications 
                        from local service providers or advocacy groups 
                        submitted under subparagraph (A).
                            (ii) Membership.--
                                    (I) Appointment of voting 
                                members.--The implementing 
                                nongovernmental organization, in 
                                consultation with the Administrator, 
                                shall appoint at least 7 voting members 
                                of the Project Advisory Board who are 
                                members of autism advocacy groups, 
                                professionals working with autism, or 
                                otherwise associated with the autism 
                                community, including--
                                            (aa) at least 2 parents 
                                        from different families of 
                                        individuals with autism;
                                            (bb) at least 1 medical 
                                        professional working with 
                                        autism;
                                            (cc) at least 1 teacher of 
                                        individuals with autism; and
                                            (dd) at least 1 individual 
                                        who has autism.
                                    (II) Terms.--Each member appointed 
                                under subclause (I)--
                                            (aa) shall serve for a term 
                                        of 1 year;
                                            (bb) may serve up to 3 
                                        consecutive terms; and
                                            (cc) may continue to serve 
                                        after the expiration of the 
                                        term of such member until such 
                                        time as a successor is 
                                        appointed.
                                    (III) Selection criteria.--In 
                                appointing members to the Project 
                                Advisory Board under subclause (I), the 
                                implementing nongovernmental 
                                organization shall attempt to--
                                            (aa) ensure objectivity and 
                                        balance;
                                            (bb) reduce the potential 
                                        for conflicts of interest; and
                                            (cc) include individuals 
                                        with experience working in the 
                                        developing world.
                                    (IV) Appointment of non-voting 
                                members.--The Administrator shall 
                                appoint as many non-voting members to 
                                the Project Advisory Board as the 
                                Administrator determines appropriate.
    (d) Teach the Teachers.--
            (1) In general.--The implementing nongovernmental 
        organization, acting on behalf of the Administrator and in 
        consultation with the Project Advisory Board, shall establish a 
        program, to be known as the ``Teach the Teachers Program'', 
        to--
                    (A) identify health and education professionals to 
                receive specialized training for teaching and working 
                with youth with autism, including training conducted in 
                2- or 3-day workshops at locations within 1 of the 2 
                regions designated pursuant to subsection (b); and
                    (B) conduct training through 2- or 3-day biomedical 
                conferences in the 2 regions designated pursuant to 
                subsection (b), including--
                            (i) bringing medical and psychological 
                        specialists from the United States to train and 
                        educate parents and health professionals who 
                        deal with autism;
                            (ii) training related to biomedical 
                        interventions that can affect autism;
                            (iii) training on how nutrition and various 
                        metabolic issues can impact behavior;
                            (iv) training on the role of applied 
                        behavioral analysis; and
                            (v) various occupational and speech 
                        therapies in fighting autism.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section--
            (1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (2) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
            (3) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.

Summary: Global Autism Assistance Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish and administer a health and education grant program to: (1) support activities by nongovernmental organizations and other service providers, including advocacy groups, focused on autism in developing countries. And (2) establish a teach the teachers program to train health and education professionals working with autistic children in developing countries.