At the Autism Society, we have prioritized the need to connect families to the services and resources to keep members of the Autism community safe. Through our Safety on the Spectrum™ program, we believe it is important to share the many benefits that water has on someone with Autism while also shedding light on the imperative need for safety surrounding aquatic environments.  

“We chose to highlight the water scenes featured in Charlie Makes A Splash in our social narrative which outlines key water safety rules in aquatic environments.” said Chris Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “Through our Water and Wandering Program, we plan to increase water safety education and training across the Autism community to reduce water and wandering-related incidents.” 

Our upcoming Facebook video being published on Monday, May 22nd at 2:00 pm EST highlights the importance of water safety within the Autism community. Holly Robinson Peete of the HollyRod Foundation reads her new children’s book Child Makes and Splash during this episode. Christopher Banks joins in this discussion and shares water safety resources with viewers and how they can access these materials. 

Autism Society Water Safety Program

The Autism Society of America seeks to develop an adaptive aquatics curriculum that aims to support instructors and the Autism community nationwide. The Autism Society’s water and wandering initiative focuses on proactive programming, prevention, and improved responses to wandering incidents. The water and wandering initiative is a national effort to increase water safety education and training across the Autism community in order to decrease the tragic loss of life caused by water and wandering-related accidents.  This program works to not only prevent wandering-related tragedies but to increase water safety skills among Autistic children, teens, and adults- and those who support them.

To learn more about the Autism Society’s national programs and ways to get involved, please email info@autism-society.org.

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Autism Society of America

The Autism Society’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. As the nation’s oldest leading grassroots Autism organization, the Autism Society and its approximately 70+ local affiliates serve over half a million members of the Autism community each year. It envisions a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it – including education, advocacy efforts, and supports and services throughout the lifespan. For more information, go to www.autismsociety.org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

HollyRod Foundation

Founded in 1993 by actress, Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL player, Rodney Peete, the HollyRod Foundation is a recognized California based 501c3. The HollyRod Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources to families that have a loved one who has received an Autism or Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. We advocate for ethical treatment, inclusion, and access to services and treatment of individuals living with Autism or Parkinson’s Disease with the goal of empowering them to live their best lives.

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Mental Health Support & Statistics

• Health and Wellness  (Autism Society resource)
• Social Story: Dealing with Feelings of Anxiety and Depression (Autism Society resource)
• Infographic: What is Mental Health Parity?
• Autism and the Risk of Bipolar Disorder
• Masters of Masking: Autistic Men Who Camouflage
• Healthcare barriers prevent many Autistic people from seeking medical treatment

Suicide Prevention

• Social Story: 988 National Suicide Prevention Hotline (Autism Society resource)
• 988 Lifeline: Resources for Neurodivergent People
• Warning Signs of Suicide for Autistic People
• Autism and the Troubling Risk of Suicide
• My Journey from Suicidal Thoughts, Hospitalization, and Depression to So Much Hope

Summer Activities

• Managing End-of-Year Stress at School
• Tips for an Autism-Friendly Family Vacation
• Summer Camps for Children With Autism 

Water Safety Month

• Water Safety Checklist
• Water Social Story

Public Policy

• As the Public Health Emergency is coming to an end on May 11th, many important policies will come to an end. Be sure to stay updated using our guide.
• As Congress negotiates the budget and lifts the debt ceiling, be sure to use our Action Center to ensure your Members of Congress do not reduce Medicaid and other funding that is critical for the disability community.

The Autism Society’s National Helpline is here to support you and provide you with the resources you need. Our Information & Referral Specialists are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Eastern Time) at 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476) or info@autism-society.org.

The Autism Society’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. As the nation’s oldest leading grassroots Autism organization, the Autism Society and its 70+ local affiliates serve over half a million members of the Autism community each year. It envisions a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it – including education, advocacy efforts, and supports and services throughout the lifespan. If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting our efforts through a donation, every bit helps. Donate here!

The post May Resources: Mental Health Supports, Suicide Prevention, Summer Activities appeared first on Autism Society.

The legislation makes across-the-board cuts of at least $142 billion (or 9 percent) for critical government programs. If defense and veterans programs are not included, then the cuts will climb to 22 percent or higher for non-defense discretionary programs. This would result in loss of access to child care, education, employment, housing, food assistance, and longer wait times for Social Security. The legislation further seeks to lock in those cuts for the next 10 years. It also includes a drastic cut to Medicaid (approximately $100 billion by some estimates) and increases work requirements for those eligible for Medicaid.

Christopher S. Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America states, “While it is appropriate for Congress to cut wasteful spending, using the debt ceiling to extract cuts to services for individuals with Autism and families is cruel, wrong and unjust. At a time when families are suffering from insufficient supports and services, Congress should be looking for ways to expand support, not cut it.”

The Autism Society of America signed on to a letter along with more than 160 other disability and aging organizations urging Congress to not make cuts to Medicaid. The organization also issued an Action Alert urging our families to educate their Members of Congress about the harm such cuts would have on families.  

The Autism Society of America urges Congress to lift the debt ceiling without conditions and negotiate budget priorities through the regular budget and appropriations process.

The post National Statement: Autism Society of America Condemns Passage of Limit, Save, Grow Act appeared first on Autism Society.

Affordable, accessible, quality child care and respite services are essential to give families the support they need. The Autism Society prioritizes advocating for additional funding for Medicaid-funded home and community-based services.

“Our community-based service system is in crisis. Many Autistic individuals want to live at home or in their community with support, but funding has not kept up with the needs of families,” stated Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “Parents often care for their adult children until they need support themselves.”

The bipartisan Better Care Better Jobs Act, introduced in both the House and Senate, would increase access to personal care services, family supports, community behavioral health services and expand eligibility requirements. It would also facilitate greater coordination with employment, housing and transportation supports. An independent analysis estimates the bill would provide enough funding to enable 3.2 million more individuals to receive services.

The President’s Budget also includes $150 billion over the next decade to improve and expand Medicaid home care services—making it easier for people with disabilities to live, work, and participate in their communities. 

Banks continued, “We applaud President Biden’s actions and urge Congress to pass the Better Care Better Jobs Act to support families with disabilities.”

Next week, the Autism Society is co-sponsoring the Disability Policy Seminar, along with several other major disability organizations. The annual seminar includes a day on the Hill where people with disabilities, family members, and professionals will urge Congress to support the President’s Budget and legislation, such as the Better Care Better Jobs Act, to address waiting lists and raise wages for direct care workers. 

The post National Statement: Autism Society of America Applauds President Biden’s Executive Order to Support Families with Disabilities appeared first on Autism Society.

Employment plays a pivotal role in transitions to adulthood, independent living, socialization, self-worth, and confidence. The Autism Society is committed to:

• Educating employers to build inclusive hiring models
• Training teams for supportive services and accommodations
• Connecting Autistic employees to job opportunities
• Working to reduce systemic barriers to meaningful employment

Through this initiative, we seek to redefine employment for Autistic individuals by embracing a Fulfillment Mindset. Recognizing that traditional notions of employment may not be ideal or accessible for everyone, our approach highlights the importance of social-emotional fulfillment for Autistic individuals in their employment journeys. In this introductory article, we will explore various avenues of employment, maintaining benefits, and the importance of including individuals with higher support needs and learning disabilities in our mission. 

The Fulfillment Mindset

The core principle of our Fulfillment Mindset is recognizing that there are numerous ways for Autistic individuals to achieve fulfillment through employment. This could include continued learning, passion projects, job/career shadowing, volunteering, coaching, and part-time or full-time integration into competitive integrated employment. By focusing on whole-person integration in employment and community surroundings, we can better support those with Autism in workplace settings and throughout their lives.

Exploring New Industries and Opportunities

It is essential for Autistic individuals to have access to a variety of industries and opportunities that align with their interests, strengths, and passions. As part of our employment focus, we will provide resources and support for exploring different fields, such as technology, arts, healthcare, and more. By doing so, we aim to empower Autistic individuals to make informed decisions about their career paths, while simultaneously promoting diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Through connections with K-12, post-secondary training and college, and with state and federal support systems, we aim to make the journey from exploration to innovation an opportunity for the Autistic community. 

Maintaining State and Federal SSDI Benefits

We understand that financial stability is crucial for many Autistic individuals and their families. Our employment initiative emphasizes the importance of maintaining any state or federal SSDI benefits while exploring fulfilling employment opportunities. By educating individuals and families about their rights and options, we aim to strike a balance between pursuing meaningful work and securing necessary financial support.

As we work towards the ability for individuals to navigate the complexities of the SSDI benefits, know that we are working to promote better transitions and supports for exploring career opportunities, and options, while simultaneously receiving benefits. No one should have their financial stability shaken by striving to integrate themselves into the workforce.

Inclusion for Individuals with Higher Support Needs and Learning Disabilities

Our commitment to the Fulfillment Mindset incorporates the idea of being fully inclusive to those who have differing needs on the Autism spectrum. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience fulfillment and contribute to their community in meaningful ways. By providing targeted resources, training, and support, we strive to create more inclusive environments and systems that ensure individuals with diverse needs can thrive in their chosen paths.

Conclusion

We at the Autism Society of America embrace the concept and ideal of a Fulfillment Mindset and aim to redefine employment for Autistic individuals and encourage social-emotional fulfillment, exploring various industries, and maintaining necessary benefits. By emphasizing whole-person integration, we hope to create a more inclusive and supportive landscape for Autistic individuals to achieve success in their employment journeys. Together, let us celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of the Autism community and work towards a future filled with diverse, fun, interesting, and fulfilling opportunities for all.

We are also dedicated to identifying organizations and programs that allow individuals with Autism, who have complex support needs, to explore their interests and expand their skills in a variety of fields and industries. If you are an organization or know of one, please reach out to us so we can work to collaborate on opportunities for all Autistic individuals. Learn more about our employment work and related resources. 

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Rockville, MD, March 23, 2023 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released two new reports from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) network detailing prevalence rates, characteristics, and screening and diagnostic information. As a CDC partner, the Autism Society of America routinely reviews these reports to disseminate information, educate the greater community, and advocate for critical policy changes that ensure everyone in the Autism community has access to the resources they need to live fully. Today, the CDC reports a continued increase in the prevalence rate with one in 36 children receiving an Autism diagnosis.

Increasing prevalence estimates continue to underscore the urgent need for equitable supports and services in the Autism community. The increase to 1 in 36 eight-year-olds being diagnosed from the 2021 report of 1 in 44 eight-year-olds, can be attributed to a variety of factors, including an increased rate of diagnosis itself. This means that while diagnostic screening and identification are improving in some ways, the prevalence rate is also increasing.

The early identification report demonstrates that for the first time, the percentage of 8-year-old Asian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Black children identified with Autism was higher than among 8-year-old White children. This change effectively closes the racial and ethnic gap which was observed and reported in previous ADDM reports. These shifts may reflect improved screening, awareness, and access to services among historically underserved groups.  

“The Autism Society and its network of affiliates have been working to close the racial disparity gap in early screening and diagnosis through education, resource development, and community programming to better support these underserved populations,” states Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “It’s important to recognize this improvement, however, the increased prevalence rates means we urgently need increased access to quality supports and services at the federal and state level.”

While there have been improvements in early Autism identification over time, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly disrupted progress to have an overall increase in screening efforts. The data reflects that screening of four-year-olds was initially on-track to show increased results of early detection, but was abruptly halted in March 2020 and has struggled to recover; this has resulted in long waitlists to receive timely screening and diagnosis, as well as delaying the opportunity to connect to essential early interventions and supports.

Children who receive an Autism diagnosis by age 4, are more likely to receive services that lead to improved long-term outcomes. This confirms the need to urgently increase our capability to screen and effectively diagnose children as early as possible; the Autism Society recommends that children be screened at least three times before age three (9, 18, and 24 or 30 months), so that they can be referred for services to have the best chance of success to live fully. 

The Autism Society of America, like the CDC, supports early identification as one of the most important tools communities have in helping to make a difference in the lives of children with Autism. The CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program promotes early identification by providing parents, childcare professionals, and healthcare providers free resources, in English and Spanish, for monitoring children’s development. Additionally, the Autism Society has updated resources as part of our 2023 Autism Acceptance Month campaign that provides digestible facts and statistics about Autism.

Established in 2000, the ADDM Network is the only network to track the number and characteristics of Autistic children and other developmental disabilities in multiple communities throughout the United States. This data provides important information from which researchers, policymakers, and service providers are able to make important decisions about how to best serve these individuals and their families. However, it is important to note that these estimates are based on 8-year-old children living in 11 community sites, and do not reflect the entire population of children in the United States. The Autism Society has continuously urged the CDC to increase its population data by expanding the number of sites and diversity of populations. Learn more about the ADDM sites here. 

See the full prevalence and early identification reports published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on the CDC website. 

Visit our website to learn more about Autism, and screening and diagnosis. Connect to professional Information and Referral Specialists by contacting our National Helpline.

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Telling Authentic Stories

The photography team at Thompson Hommonay carefully planned the look and feel of the portraits to ensure that the captured photos and videos were approachable and authentic. The individuals featured in the photoshoot were involved in the discussions to ensure that they felt comfortable and supported while having their portraits taken. This allowed the team to design a photoshoot focusing on approachability and authenticity. Additionally, the Autism Society encouraged everyone to bring supports, which included caregivers, AAC devices, headphones, service animals, sensory toys, and more. 

The focus of the project was to expand the organization’s photography assets and create new videography assets. With the footage captured by the production company, Remark Visions, the talented team created two PSA-style videos, highlighting the experiences of Autistic individuals and advocating for acceptance and diversity in needs. The team on-site included volunteers from the San Diego affiliate, two videographers, two photographers, the studio team, and members from the national team to support Autistic individuals and their families. Overall, we connected with over 60 community members throughout the course of the day, and are grateful for their vulnerability while sharing their stories, hopes, dreams and challenges.

The Autism Society is proud of the team’s hard work and excited to unveil our new campaign. The Autism Society’s commitment to showcasing the diversity within the Autism community and promoting authentic representation is essential to promoting understanding and acceptance of Autistic individuals. The organization’s efforts to call attention to the needs and experiences of Autistic individuals will undoubtedly lead to greater awareness and understanding, and we can all look forward to the positive impact this campaign will have. On behalf of our National Team, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals and families who participated in this campaign.

The post Supporting the Autistic Community: The Importance of Representation in the Autism Society’s New Photoshoot Campaign appeared first on Autism Society.

This special issue of Capitol Connection is dedicated to the President’s Budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024 and how it impacts Autism services and programs. In addition, registration information for the Disability Policy Seminar is now available and resources on the HCBS Rule that recently took effect. Also, new legislation to strengthen the disability services system was introduced. Alerts and sample letters are now posted on our Action Center to help educate Members of Congress regarding legislation introduced in the new Congress. 

Disability Policy Seminar

The Disability Policy Seminar’s registration has opened! The event will include a virtual training day on Monday, April 24, and a fly-in/or virtual Hill Day on Thursday, April 27. The training day will provide a briefing on current legislative issues including the current budget debates and its impact on Medicaid and disability program funding. It will also cover current legislation impacting education and employment, community living, criminal legal, Autism services, and health and family support. Participants will hear directly from Members of Congress and their staff. The planning team is seeking State Captains who help organize their states meetings with Members of Congress. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Delancy Allred at dallred@autism-society.org.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule

March 17th marked the end of the transition period for the implementation of the HCBS Settings Rule. The HCBS Settings rule was created to ensure that every person receiving Medicaid-funded HCBS has full access to the benefits of community living. To celebrate this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) released a statement and updated the Rule webpage to ensure access to key information on the rule. Watch for information on a webinar for Autism Society affiliates coming up in April. 

HCBS Legislation

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA has introduced two bills to help build the HCBS system including the HCBS Access Act and the Better Care Better Jobs Act. The Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Long-Term Services and Supports Task Force submitted testimony in favor of these bills to strengthen the direct care workforce and to build capacity in the services system. 

Supreme Court Special Education Decision 

The United States Supreme Court unanimously decided in favor of Mr. Perez in the case of Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools. This decision states that individuals who entered a settlement resolving their Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) claims can also pursue monetary damages against school districts under other civil rights laws without having to exhaust the extensive administrative process under IDEA. Read more here.

Administration FY 24 Budget Analysis

President Biden submitted his budget request to Congress on March 9th. The Autism Society is pleased to see a number of significant increases dedicated to programs and services important to people with Autism and other disabilities. This includes $150 billion dedicated to home and community-based services, which is intended to build upon the American Rescue Plan funding that has helped support our services system during these difficult times. The budget also requests the restoration of the expanded Child Tax Credit, which cut child poverty in half in 2021. The proposal also called on Congress to make the Earned Income Tax Credit expansion permanent, which provides tax relief to many low-wage workers with disabilities.

Below is a table comparing the previous year’s funding levels with the President’s FY 24 funding request for discretionary funding of programs within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. This is followed by a summary analysis of the President’s budget.

Department of Health and Human Services

DD Act Programs

For the Developmental Disability Act programs, the budget includes $46 million, an increase of $3 million, for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and $82 million, an increase of $1 million, for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and a $15 million increase for the Protection and Advocacy Systems, also known as the disability rights network. The President also includes a $4 million increase for Projects of National Significance. The request includes $1.25 million to continue the operation of the Disability Information and Assistance Line (DIAL) and to support two initiatives focused on strengthening the caregiving infrastructure. 

Caregiving

The President’s budget includes funding to begin to implement the 2022 Administration for Community Living’s National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers and for an initiative to expand and stabilize the direct care workforce. The National Strategy provides a blueprint for building a system that provides the support caregivers need. The budget provides a total of $53 million across several programs to begin implementation, with investments in expanding direct services to support family caregivers today and building capacity to better support them in the future. The request includes $250 million, an increase of $45 million, for Family Caregiver Support Services; $16 million, which is $4 million above FY 2023 enacted, for Native American Caregiver Support Services; and $14 million, an increase of $4 million, for the Lifespan Respite Care Act program. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Access to Vaccines

As a complement to the successful Vaccines for Children program, the budget establishes a Vaccines for Adults program. This new capped mandatory program will provide uninsured adults with access to routine and outbreak vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at no cost. The budget would also expand the Vaccines for Children program to include all children under age 19 enrolled in a separate Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Autism CARES Act

Programs authorized by the Autism CARES Act administered by HRSA are increased in the President’s budget by $1 million to a total of $57 million. This funding goes to research and development of evidence-based physical and behavioral health interventions as well as interdisciplinary training of health professionals through the Leadership Education and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program.

Suicide Prevention

In 2021, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States had a mental illness in the past year and 12.3 million adults had serious thoughts of suicide. The FY 2024 budget provides $4.9 billion for SAMHSA’s mental health activities, an increase of $2.2 billion over FY 2023. The proposed investments will address suicide prevention, increase crisis response, and provide direct services to people experiencing homelessness.

988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

In July 2022, SAMHSA transitioned the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from a 10-digit number to 9-8-8, a 24/7 lifeline that provides access to trained counselors to people in crisis. With new funding in FY 2022, the 9-8-8 program documented a 45 percent increase in contact volume. SAMHSA estimates that the 9-8-8 call centers will respond to approximately 6 million contacts in 2023—compared to approximately 3.6 million answered contacts in 2021. In FY 2024, SAMHSA will dedicate $836 million to the 9-8-8 and Behavioral Health Services program, an increase of $334 million over FY 2023 enacted. This investment will increase the capacity for 988 to respond to 100 percent of the estimated 9 million contacts in 2024.

See National Alliance for Mental Illness statement for more information about how the budget impacts mental health programs

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The two institutes that provide the most research related to Autism are the National Institute on Child Health and Human Services (NICHD) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). While NIMH receives a $200 million budget, NICHD is level-funded in the President’s budget.

Department of Education

For the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B grants to states, the Administration is requesting $16.3 billion, an increase of $2.1 billion over the 2023 enacted level. If enacted, this funding level represents the largest increase in the federal contribution toward meeting the excess cost of special education in two decades and makes a significant first step toward fully funding IDEA. Grants would cover nearly 13 percent of the national average per pupil expenditure and provide an estimated average of $2,170 per child for about 7.5 million children ages 3 through 21. The budget also includes $502.6 million for the Preschool Grants program, an increase of $82.6 million over the 2023 enacted level, and provides an average of $1,066 per child for over 471,000 children with disabilities expected to be served under the program in 2024. 

The Transition to Postsecondary Education Programs within the Higher Education Act is provided $15 million, an increase of $1 million over FY 2023. 

Supported employment is level-funded at $22.5 million.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

The Budget provides $3 million for Kevin and Avonte’s Law within the Department of Justice. Kevin and Avonte’s Law is a law that protects children with Autism or other developmental disabilities who may wander away from safety.

Social Security

The budget requests a 10% increase in funding for the Social Security Administration to help address the ongoing customer service crisis. Additional funding increases are urgently needed to improve the processing of disability claims and reduce call wait times.

Next Steps

This is just the beginning of the budget and appropriations cycle. The next steps are for the House and Senate to develop topline budget resolutions followed by the 12 appropriations subcommittees deciding how much each program will receive. With a divided Congress that has narrow majorities, we expect that the process will again take most of the year to be completed. 

The Autism Society is working with bipartisan disability champions in Congress on Dear Colleague letters with recommendations for the highest possible funding levels for programs that support Autistic individuals and their families and professionals.

A note, due to April being busy with Autism Acceptance Month, Capitol Connection will go out once. 

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