Federal News
2017
July 10, 2017
ACL's Administration for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities recently awarded five-year grants to 42 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs). The UCEDDs will receive a total of $22,974,000 a year to address issues, find solutions, and advance research in order to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act website has been updated to incorporate new navigation and design, expanded search options, resources for different audiences, and new content. The revamped website can be found at https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
Friday, April 28, 2017
HHS recommits to supporting Americans living with autism and their families.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
The FDA issued a consumer update to remind the public to be wary of companies and products for ASD that are not evidence-based.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Based on U.S. Census data and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence estimates, over a half million youth with ASD will turn 18 over the next decade.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Understanding how the brain develops and functions remains among the most difficult of scientific challenges, as is the effort to understand the causes of conditions that alter its function. Among these is autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Sunday, April 2, 2017
On World Autism Awareness Day, we highlight the importance of addressing the causes and improving the treatments for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We also recognize the importance of identifying ASDs early in a child's life and of understanding the obstacles faced by people living on the autism spectrum.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Researchers Audrey Thurm, Ph.D and Somer Bishop, Ph.D report that for every month a child with autism is delayed in walking the odds of having a spontaneous genetic mutation increases by 17%.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Mark Daly, Ph.D reported that a third of genetic mutations found in individuals with ASD are also found in unaffected people.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Personal interest story about a mother who joined the airforce to get her son access to autism services.
2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
Children with autism, like people with all types of disabilities, need opportunities to grow and gain independence.
April 7, 2016
Last week, at the annual Carrier Conference, OPM met with the insurance carriers that provide federal families with health plan choices.
April 4, 2016
Researchers develop a range of new sensors and other tools to gauge emotional responses and behavior of children with developmental disorders
April 01, 2016
Every person deserves the chance to reach for their highest hopes and fulfill their greatest potential. On World Autism Awareness Day, we reaffirm our dedication to ensuring that belief is a reality for all those who live on the autism spectrum ‑‑ including 1 in 68 children.
March 31, 2016
An estimated 1 in 68 (14.6 per 1,000) school-aged children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a CDC report published today in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Surveillance Summary
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
The U.S. Department of Education took a critical step today toward addressing widespread disparities in the treatment of students of color with disabilities, proposing a new rule to improve equity in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
2015
November 17, 2015
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has signed an agreement to establish a collaborative, nationwide effort for the collection, storage, and distribution of postmortem human brain tissue for the benefit of autism research.
November 17, 2015
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the U.S. Education Department is releasing guidance aimed at ensuring that America's 6 million children and youth with disabilities have the same opportunity for a quality education as their nondisabled peers.
November 5, 2015
On November 5, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that CMS is partnering with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to test a new model for providing Medicare-Medicaid enrollees with a more coordinated, person-centered care experience.
October 16, 2015
For many older adults and people with disabilities, the key to remaining independent can be something as simple as a home-delivered meal, a ramp for their homes, or a few hours of respite for a family caregiver. Unfortunately, an often disjointed maze of eligibility criteria, forms, programs, and agencies can prevent even the most determined individuals from obtaining these critical supports.
October 7, 2015
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced today that they have joined together to establish a new National Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (Center of Excellence).
July 24, 2015
Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez releases statement in honor of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act
July 16, 2015
Biomarkers Consortium Project to Improve Tools for Measuring and Treating Social Impairment in Children with Autism
May 14, 2015
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced $5 million in new and continuing competitive grant awards to support Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, primarily non-profit organizations run by and for families with children and youth with special health care needs.
February 17, 2015
In utero, exposure to the epilepsy drug valporic acid (VPA) appears to elevate the risk to babies of developing an autism spectrum disorder.
January 5, 2015
U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today announced the 17 public members who will serve on the new Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, a key provision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.