Trenton, N.J. — The state of New Jersey has awarded a total of $4.4 million in grants to fund autism researches being done by scientists at the state’s Rutgers and Rowan universities.
Governor Chris Christie’s wife, Mary Pat Christie, made the announcement alongside New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd, and said that the grants will be used to fund researches as well as three ‘autism medical homes’— a center with services dedicated to providing patients with primary care practices combining medical treatments with autism-focused services.
The so-called ‘autism medical homes’ will be housed by three New Jersey hospitals, namely: the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, and the Hackensack University Medical Center.
Each of the hospitals will be given $200,000 in grants every year for the next two years, and may get up to three more additional years of funding from the state, provided that they meet the goals that were set before them by New Jersey’s state government.
The majority of the state government’s grants will be handed over to researches to be conducted by scientists at New Jersey’s Rutgers and Rowan Universities. Most of the studies will be focusing more on identifying early signs of autism such as “micro movements” in young children, as well as possible treatments for the developmental disorder.
Source: Andrew Kitchenman: NJ Spotlight: State Awards Millions for Research into Diagnosing, Helping Kids with Autism