I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1878 
To establish a health and education grant program related to autism spectrum 
disorders, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 2, 2009 
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself and Mr. DOYLE) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To establish a health and education grant program related 
to autism spectrum disorders, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Global Autism Assist-
ance Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The occurrence of autism spectrum dis-
orders (ASD) has increased during the past decade 
from an estimated one in 500 to an estimated one 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:43 Apr 07, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1878.IH
H1878
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with BILLS
in 150, according to data released by the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in February 
2007. CDC classified as suffering from ASD chil-
dren whose behaviors were consistent with the 
DSM–IV–TR 
criteria 
for 
Autistic 
Disorder, 
Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental 
Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified (PDD–NOS). 
(2) Autism is a complex neurological disorder 
that affects an individual in the areas of social inter-
action and communication. Because it is a spectrum 
disorder, it affects each individual differently and to 
varying degrees of severity. People with autism proc-
ess and respond to information in unique ways. In 
some cases, coexisting medical issues and aggressive 
or self-injurious behavior may be present. 
(3) The increased number of children diagnosed 
with autism is a growing and urgent concern for 
families, healthcare professionals, and educators, as 
the health and education systems struggle to re-
spond to the needs of this population in a com-
prehensive manner. 
(4) The prevalence of autism in developing 
countries is also growing rapidly, and health and 
education systems in these countries are particularly 
ill-equipped to deal with these issues. Experts esti-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:43 Apr 07, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1878.IH
H1878
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with BILLS
mate, for example, that there are approximately 
2,500,000 people with an autism spectrum disorder 
in China, and approximately 2,000,000 in India 
alone. A large number of these people are children, 
although reliable statistics are difficult to come by. 
(5) Children with autism who receive intensive 
and appropriate educational services before age five 
often make significant functional improvements. In 
the United States, significant efforts are being pur-
sued to expand early diagnosis and the provision of 
these services. In a report on the identification, eval-
uation and management of children with autism, the 
American Academy of Pediatrics recommended in 
November 2007 that all children should be screened 
for autism twice by the age of two, even if they have 
no symptoms. Early screening and services for au-
tism are sorely lacking in most of the developing 
world. An opportunity exists to use United States 
expertise to significantly aid children and families in 
developing countries, for relatively small costs. 
SEC. 3. GLOBAL AUTISM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—The Adminis-
trator for the United States Agency for International De-
velopment shall establish and administer a health and edu-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:43 Apr 07, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1878.IH
H1878
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with BILLS
cation grant program to be known as the ‘‘Global Autism 
Assistance Program’’ to— 
(1) support activities under subsection (c)(2) by 
nongovernmental organizations and other service 
providers, including advocacy groups, focused on au-
tism in developing countries; and 
(2) establish a ‘‘teach the teachers’’ program 
under 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 au-
tism organizations such as the World Autism Organiza-
tion, the Autism Society of America, and Autism Speaks, 
shall designate not fewer than two regions in developing 
countries that are determined to— 
(1) require assistance in dealing with autism; 
and 
(2) have sufficient familiarity with issues re-
lated to autism to make effective use of the Global 
Autism Assistance Program. 
(c) SELECTION OF IMPLEMENTING NGO.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the designation of eligible regions pursuant to 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:43 Apr 07, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1878.IH
H1878
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with BILLS