| -> | | | | reaching public awareness and education program. |
| Autism Society of America - An Advocacy | | | | Their official magazine Autism Advocate is a |
| Organization I Believe In | | | | top-notch publication deserves praise. |
| Autism is a dreaded disease without a cure. Most of | | | | As an advocacy organization, ASA supported the |
| the time, and especially in its popular Hollywood | | | | Mercury Free Vaccine Act of 2005 in order to |
| depictions, it is treated as if it inflicts only those with a | | | | prevent the ethyl mercury's (found in in thimersal) |
| divine gift for performing incredible feats of memory, | | | | debilitating effects on fetuses and young kids. |
| like the famous Rain Man played by Dustin Hoffman. | | | | ASA also supported the "Combating Autism Act" of |
| Although it is true that some autistic children and adults | | | | 2005 which doubled the NIH funds to press on with |
| do display such incredible intellectual feats, my own | | | | autism research. |
| humble experience has shown me that actually it is a | | | | Another ASA activity that should be mentioned is the |
| very painful and stressful disease for all concerned. I | | | | popular annual "Ticket to Ride" event where Harley |
| wish there was a cure for it and that's why I try to | | | | riders hit the road to raise awareness and precious |
| support all organizations that work towards that goal. | | | | funds for autism research. |
| One such organization I am familiar with is the Autism | | | | "If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. |
| Society of America, headquartered in Bethesda, | | | | You just do it one step at a time," said Marian Wright |
| Maryland. | | | | Edelman, the president and founder of the Children's |
| Formed some 40 years ago, ASA has a wide | | | | Defense Fund. |