Search

Swim and water safety… The following is part of Autism Speaks Autism Safety Guide . Water safety is critical for children and adults with autism. Many autistic individuals are drawn to …
2022 Florida Advocacy Wins … efforts during this year’s legislative session to expand access to services and reliable information for people with autism in Florida. We pledge to continue advocating for these laws’ proper implementation and will continue to fight for new policies that improve the lives of people with autism across the spectrum and throughout the life span.  New law expands access to special education supports   All … support could be cut off once a student turned 5 years old. This was unacceptable considering that 30% of children with autism are not even diagnosed by age 8. The new law expands access to personalized special education support for more …
Social Communication Disorder: Parents Seek Guidance… this diagnosis, and what therapies would help?” This week’s “Got Questions?” answer is by child psychologist Lauren Elder, Autism Speaks assistant director for dissemination science As you may know, social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SCD) has been a hot topic in the autism community of late. As we recently reported, some children who would have previously received a diagnosis of autism
Advancing medical care through the ACE Kids Act … Act will bring us closer to ensuring these vulnerable children receive  the care they need. The majority of children with autism have co-occurring developmental, psychiatric or neurological disorders. They also often have other co-occurring … medical conditions such as gastrointestinal disturbances, sleep problems, and seizure disorders. As a result, children with autism often may see many clinicians, including physicians and multiple specialists. They may also require care that takes …
Anabel V. apoya a la comunidad hispana a través de su trabajo en el equipo de respuestas al autismo… Click here to view this blog in English.   Me llamo Anabel V. Soy asociada del Equipo de Respuesta al Autismo de Autism Speaks.  El Equipo de Respuesta al Autismo (ART, por sus siglas en inglés) es una línea de información para la …
Nebraska lowers age for start of transition services… not required to begin the transition planning process until age 16, which is often too late for students with autism and later than when most states begin. The new law sets 14 as the age for transition planning to begin.   Transition planning for students diagnosed with autism is critical to their success in adulthood. Each year, approximately  70,000 children  with autism graduate from high …
Meet South W.…   As part of our commitment to kindness and work to create more understanding and acceptance for people with autism, we’re connecting people on the spectrum with what they love the most. In this “Kindness Connection,” South, a clay …
Money Follows the Person Program is extended!… HCBS . HCBS provide a wide array of supports and services – like housing and residential services – that individuals with autism use across their lifespan. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia received funding under the project and … reauthorization, states will lose access to the enhanced funding  which helped them maintain enhanced services. Autism Speaks recognizes the critical importance of Medicaid-funded HCBS to individuals with autism and their families.  We …
Addressing barriers to behavioral health care services in California … Along with several other organizations, Autism Speaks has expressed concern to the California Department of Health Care Services that some autistic students and … during online “virtual” school sessions accessed in the child’s home. These services are necessary for many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in these and other community settings, to correct or ameliorate challenging …
SENSORY-FRIENDLY NIGHT OF PLAY… Families with young children with autism and other sensory integration challenges are invited to explore Museum exhibits for this special night of play.  We … quiet spaces, and extra visual signage and sensory aids. MHCM is proud to have partnered with the Anderson Center for Autism to become an Autism Supportive Environment.  We aim to support families that have young children with autism by …