WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle yesterday introduced a bill that would provide $350 million to improve services for people with autism, creating a national "clearinghouse" for research and information on treatments.

The legislation comes on the heels of a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that about one child of 150 is affected by autism.

Mr. Doyle, D-Forest Hills, said that a long-term goal is finding a cure for autism spectrum disorder, a group of developmental disabilities -- including Asperger's syndrome and Rett syndrome -- affecting a person's ability to communicate and learn. But in the interim, the government needs to help families gain access to treatments that help manage the illness, he said.

"They know that with love and support, individuals with autism can flourish," Mr. Doyle said. "The government has consistently failed to provide them with the services they need."

At a news conference, he was flanked by Hollywood autism advocates, including Bradley Whitford of the former television series "West Wing" and Jonathan Shestack , producer of the film "Air Force One."

"It's not only research, but services," said Mr. Shestack, who has a child with autism and is co-founder of Cure Autism Now. "This bill really expands that and makes that part of the national agenda."

The bill includes $165 million to launch grant programs for state agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide services to children and adults with autism. It would give $77 million extra to university "centers for excellence" in developmental disabilities around the country and create an autism task force, consisting of medical and policy experts and representatives of families affected by the illness.

A centerpiece of the bill is the founding of a National Technical Assistance Center for Autism Treatments, Interventions and Services, which would track the grant programs and provide information to the public.

In 2001, Mr. Doyle joined Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., to found a congressional caucus focused on autism advocacy. At the time, Mr. Doyle said, few politicians had any understanding of the disease. The caucus now has more than 180 members.

In December, President Bush signed a bill that authorized $945 million over five years, focusing heavily on autism research.

Mr. Smith, who is co-sponsoring the new bill with Mr. Doyle, said the CDC's latest data on the extent of autism likely will push the Bush administration to back more funding for services.

"We haven't heard it clearly from him," Mr. Smith said. "But I think the president will be supportive."

Jerome L. Sherman can be reached at jsherman@post-gazette.com or 202-488-3479.