The Nevada Assembly Ways and Means-Senate Finance Joint Committee voted to put the $3.2 million requested in AB 222 and SB 171, into the budget for the upcoming biennium. The funding ensures that the Nevada children currently being served by Autism Self-Directed Funding will continue to be served for the next biennium at the same levels of service. Although, several that are on a waiting list for funding will not benefit.

Autism advocates now say it is time to ramp up support to pass AB 162, which would require certain policies of health insurance and health care plans to provide coverage for screening for and treatment of autism, and AB 359, which would revise provisions governing certain personnel who work with children with autism.

Thursday's victory in Nevada comes on a day when events are scheduled across the world to raise awareness for the disease with no known cure. Since 2008, advocates have commemorated World Autism Awareness Day globally, with activities that aim to help increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention, according to the World Autism Awareness Day Web site.

An opportunity for Northern Nevadans to help raise money for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders is right around the corner. Spring Forward for Autism--a 5 kilometer walk and run--is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Many participants are expected to join host Tad Dunbar and lace up their tennis shoes to walk and run around the UNR campus. Donations of toys and therapy materials will be accepted. Click here to learn more or register for the event. Pre-registration is $25 or $30 on the day of the event. Children under 12-years old are free. The run is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and the 5k walk should begin at 10 a.m.

For years, doctors and scientists have been trying to understand the complexity of autism. Some say it could be genetic, others say environmental, others, a combination of the two, but all agree, the cause of the disorder, still remains a medical mystery. In an effort to answer the questions of so many parents who think vaccines may trigger autism in their youngsters, the Center for Disease Control is now providing information on vaccine studies on their Web site.

The Autism Coalition of Nevada has also put together a number of resources for Nevadans affected by autism.  You can learn more at www.aconv.org.