NEWS RELEASE

Released: March 15, 2007

Department of Defense Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program Announces Integration Panel Members

The Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07) Defense Appropriations Act provides $7.5 million to the Department of Defense Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program (arp) to promote innovative research that advances the understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and leads to improved treatment outcomes. This program is administered by the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command through the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

To meet the Program's goals, an advisory group of scientists, clinicians, and parents of individuals with ASD met on April 5, 2007. This group comprises the Integration Panel for the FY2007 arp. They set the initial vision for the Program and determined the funding mechanisms. They will also participate in the second level of peer review determining which outstanding proposals best address the vision of the arp.

Members of the 2007 ARP Integration Panel include:

Mr. Peter Bell (Integration Panel Chair), Autism Speaks/Cure Autism Now!
Dr. Gary Goldstein (Alternate Chair), Kennedy-Krieger Institute
Dr. Linda Brzustowicz, Rutgers University
Dr. Stephen Dager, University of Washington
Dr. Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Mr. Lee Grossman, Autism Society of America
Dr. Susan Hyman, University of Rochester
Dr. Alice Kau, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Ms. Lyn Redwood, National Autism Association/SafeMinds
Ms. Shelley Reynolds, Unlocking Autism
Dr. Carole Samango-Sprouse, George Washington University

• Gail Whitehead, Public Affairs Coordinator, CDMRP, 301-619-7783
  gail.whitehead@amedd.army.mil