text: 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.
target: 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 (Global Autism Assistance 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.
feat_title: A bill to establish a health and education grant program related to autism spectrum disorders, and for other purposes.