The Autism CARES Act

Last Monday, on September 30, 2019, President Donald Trump signed the Autism CARES Act into law. As Natasha Anderson from Cleveland’s Fox 8 News reports in an online article titled, “President Trump signs ‘Autism CARES Act’ providing $1.8B in funding for programs,” this law offers 1.8 billion dollars over five years for autism programs. [To read this article, please click here.] Specifically, three government agencies––the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Health Resources and Services Administration––will use these funds toward autism research, education, early detection, and treatment.

According to an online article written by Michelle Diament titled, “Congress Considers Renewal of Autism Act,” and published online February 11, 2019, on Disability Scoop, the Autism CARES Act enables continued federal funding for autism. [To read this article, please click here.] Autism CARES is the acronym for Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support.

However, this is not the first federal government act passed to help people with autism and their families. According to the “Autism CARES Act Issue Brief” published on the Autism Society website, President George W. Bush signed the Combating Autism Act into law in 2006.  [To read this summary, please click here.] This law was designed to coordinate federal agencies in response to significant increases in the numbers of children diagnosed with autism. Since that law was signed in 2006, the rate of autism has substantially increased even more––approximately six hundred percent.

The recently signed Autism CARES Act replaces the original Autism CARES Act that was due to expire on September 30, 2019. The 2014 Autism CARES Act was a bipartisan bill both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed unanimously. Under the previous ACA, $260 million of government funds were allocated annually for autism research and services. Not only does the new version of the ACA provide significantly more funding, but the current law also addresses the needs of adults with autism, using the phrase, “across the lifespan.”

Another bipartisan effort, the Autism CARES Bill of 2019 was sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, and Mike Doyle, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. Similarly, in the Senate, the bill was introduced by Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Senator Mike Enzi, a Republican from Wyoming.

In a statement, Representative Smith noted, “The problem of ‘aging out’ of services is a real hurdle every parent or caretaker of a child with autism inevitably faces. But autism is a lifetime neurological disorder, and adults with autism continue to need their services.” Additionally, he stated that the Autism CARES Act will help provide support to “an estimated 50,000 persons with autism each year who ‘age out’ of critical assistance programs,” a crucial need since, “many individuals and communities are unprepared for this transition.”

The Autism CARES Act addresses three primary areas: research, data, and training. Federal funds support research into biological, genetic, and environmental aspects of autism as well as seeking potential biomarkers for autism. In addition, researchers seek the best methods for treatment and intervention in autism. Under the direction of federal agencies supported by the Autism CARES Act, data is collected to estimate the number of children with autism in various regions of the United States and to help identify risk factors for autism. Along with research and data collection, the Autism CARES Act supports training professionals to screen, diagnose, and treat people with autism, including addressing physical and behavioral issues. Moreover, the Autism CARES Act funds agencies that provide parents with support and information regarding access to services for their children with autism.

President Trump demonstrated his heartfelt concern for autism families as well as his enthusiastic support for the Autism CARES Bill, posting the following comments on Twitter: “Today I was proud to sign the Autism CARES Bill! We support research for Americans with Autism and their families. You are not forgotten, we are fighting for you!”

Certainly, the Autism CARES Act serves as an impressive example of how politicians can work together amicably for a noble cause. Hopefully, greater emphasis upon the needs of adults with autism as well as the increased funding will reap great rewards for the autism community. Perhaps valuable research can find a cause and a cure for autism, thereby eliminating a need for future Autism CARES Acts and answering the prayers of many families whose lives have been touched by autism.

“Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.” Proverbs 8:16