On Friday, President Obama signed the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act into law (Autism CARES). It dedicates $1.3 billion over five years to various autism causes: $950 million is earmarked for research grants; $110 million will go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue researching the prevalence of autism disorders; and $340 million will go to early detection, education and intervention.
The new law also tasks the government with examining and anticipating needs for teens who are aging out of school-based support and transiting into adulthood; a study will be commissioned to examine the improvement and cost-effectiveness of transition and adult services. The Autism CARES Act reauthorizes (and renames) the existing Combating Autism Act that has invested more than $1.7 billion in autism research, treatment, training and services.
Obviously, the new act is a big deal, and a Good Thing. I have a child with cerebral palsy, and wish there were funding like this for his condition. Still, I know many parents of kids with autism who believe money for treatment and services should be key—and dollars spent researching the causes, less so. They are weary of the constant stream of studies on the factors that contribute to autism. As one mom said, “What would I rather see instead of all this research focus on prevention? Help for those living with this right now!”
From my other blog:
My kid with special needs understands you
The boy who never was a toddler, until now
I don’t mean to hurt people with disabilities even though I call them stupid, people say
Image of outline of head via Shutterstock