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Priorities added to Autism CARES Act of 2024 as it advances in Congress… Today, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health reviewed 23 bills, including the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, … of Health ( NIH ), Health Resource and Services Administration ( HRSA ) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), the Autism CARES Act has resulted in: A lower average diagnosis age and improvements in early intervention services; … greater inclusion of individuals that have been underrepresented in autism research studies, in particular autistic people who require 24-hour care and may struggle with harmful or self-injurious behaviors. The creation of a new Autism …
Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer speaks at congressional hearing on the Autism CARES Act of 2024… Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee held a hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Support Patients and … years for programs primarily at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that advance autism research, services, and training of … that appropriate services and solutions can be developed to meet their growing needs; how to best support autistic people who are non-speaking or may need additional communication supports; how to best meet the health care and safety needs for …
Why we care about Autism CARES… The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act ( Autism CARES ) is the primary source of federal funding for autism research, services, training, and … been dedicated for autism to the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), and the Health Resources and Services Administration ( HRSA ). Autism CARES also authorizes the Leadership Education … and Related Disabilities (LEND) Training Program : The LEND Program trains future leaders to improve the health of children who have or are at risk of developing neurodevelopmental disabilities or other similar conditions such as autism. 52 LEND …
Autism and disparities: Addressing the needs of underserved communities… On April 3, 2019, Autism Speaks hosted a congressional briefing titled “Autism and Disparities: Addressing the Needs of Underserved Communities” in coordination with the Congressional Coalition on Autism … four times higher odds of having unmet health care needs compared to children without disabilities. Furthermore, while the CDC reports the overall prevalence of autism in the U.S. is 1 in 59 children, the reported prevalence among white children … of their larger communities. However, their voices provide testimony to how autism is experienced in the lives of people who are also affected by social and economic disparities associated with belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group. …
US Senate passes the Autism CARES Act of 2024, sending it back to House for final passage… advancing the critical legislation back to the House of Representatives for final consideration. The bill, which renews and expands support for federal autism programs, underscores the federal government’s commitment to addressing the growing … key programs under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These programs enhance the quality of life of autistic individuals and … pediatrician workforce, mental health of autistic people and communication supports particularly for autistic individuals who may be unable or limited in using speech. The Autism CARES Act of 2024 now returns to the House of Representatives for …
Montana’s Medicaid benefit changes to provide more children with autism the treatment they need… with autism! In 2017, Montana began covering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) when prescribed for children with autism who are served by Medicaid. But in the years since, state officials grew concerned that too few eligible children were using the benefit. The state initiated a careful analysis, including a stakeholder survey and provider focus groups, As a result, a re-vamped program was announced earlier this year with a focus on expanded … As of April 2022, Montana Medicaid served approximately 117,475 individuals (under age 21) throughout the state . The CDC estimates that approximately 1 in 44 or 2.3% of 8-year-old children are autistic. These Medicaid changes will benefit …
Autism Speaks celebrates advancement of Autism CARES Act of 2024… Today, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 … of Health ( NIH ), Health Resources and Services Administration ( HRSA ) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ). Despite the tremendous progress in autism understanding, health care, and evidence-based services and supports that … would all have not been possible without the leadership of Autism Caucus co-chairs, Reps. Chris Smith and Henry Cuellar, who not only introduced this legislation but worked hard to ensure that vital enhancements were included in the bill. We …
Autism Speaks applauds reintroduction of Autism Family Caregivers Act… training pilot sites in at least 15 states. These sites may include nonprofit organizations, community health centers and/or hospital systems that would provide caregivers with evidence-based strategies to improve social communication and … with autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved communities while also supporting the wellbeing of those who care for them." This legislation comes just a month after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an update on autism prevalence in the United States, reporting an increase in prevalence to 1 in 36 children, …
2021 Advocacy Highlights… From Washington, D.C., to state capital cities and Zoom meetings with advocates across the country, our Advocacy Team pursued policy solutions throughout this year that … A $10 million increase in funding for autism-related activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This would be the first increase in CDC funding for autism-related activities in 10 years. A substantial increase in … in HCBS as part of the Build Back Better Act, alongside additional funding to increase the number of direct support workers who provide in-home and community-based supports . This was a milestone first step and as Congress continues to work to find …
2022 Advocacy Highlights… to state capitals, together with advocates across the country, our team works to protect the rights of autistic individuals and advocate for investments in autism programs that pay dividends for our community. Throughout this year, we pursued … wins include: $5 million increase to expand autism-related activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – the first increase in CDC funding for autism-related activities in 10 years A call on the NIH to invest part of its … regarding registered behavior technicians (RBTs), with the goal of increasing the qualified applicant pool of those who can assist with providing ABA services. Improving transition planning and special education The Consolidated …