Required Elements of the Report to Congress on the Health and Well-Being of Individuals with ASD

This Report to Congress provides an overview of federal research, services, and support activities that seek to improve the health and well-being of individuals with ASD and other DD. In addition, demographic information about the health and well-being of these individuals and recommendations for further federal activities are provided.

With data from over 20 federal departments, agencies, divisions, and offices, this Report addresses ASD research and services according to the required elements outlined in the Autism CARES Act of 2019 (see page 3 for a complete list of required elements). Elements (B) and (D) and have been combined into one chapter covering the current federal policies, programs, and comprehensive approaches to understand and improve the health and well-being of autistic individuals. Elements (C) and (E) have been combined into one chapter covering recommendations to ensure interdisciplinary coordination between all relevant service providers receiving federal funding and for further federal activities to continue improving health and well-being for individuals with ASD.

The following federal departments, agencies, divisions, and offices are included in this Report:

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
• Administration for Community Living (ACL)
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
• HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
• Indian Health Service (IHS)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Department of Defense (DoD)

• Army
• Military Health System (MHS)/TRICARE

Department of Education (ED)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Department of Labor (DOL)

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Interagency Coordination

• Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
• HHS National Autism Coordinator (NAC)