Autism Society of America - An Advocacy Organization I Believe In

Autism is a dreaded disease without a cure. Most of the time, and especially in its popular Hollywood depictions, it is treated as if it inflicts only those with a divine gift for performing incredible feats of memory, like the famous Rain Man played by Dustin Hoffman.

Although it is true that some autistic children and adults do display such incredible intellectual feats, my own humble experience has shown me that actually it is a very painful and stressful disease for all concerned. I wish there was a cure for it and that's why I try to support all organizations that work towards that goal.

One such organization I am familiar with is the Autism Society of America, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.

Formed some 40 years ago, ASA has a wide reaching public awareness and education program. Their official magazine Autism Advocate is a top-notch publication deserves praise.

As an advocacy organization, ASA supported the Mercury Free Vaccine Act of 2005 in order to prevent the ethyl mercury's (found in in thimersal) debilitating effects on fetuses and young kids.

ASA also supported the "Combating Autism Act" of 2005 which doubled the NIH funds to press on with autism research.

Another ASA activity that should be mentioned is the popular annual "Ticket to Ride" event where Harley riders hit the road to raise awareness and precious funds for autism research.

"If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. You just do it one step at a time," said Marian Wright Edelman, the president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund. ASA is doing precisely that, in my opinion.