2022 Report to Congress
on Supportive Services for Individuals with Autism
Report to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations (H. Rept. 117-9)
Overview
The 2022 HHS Report to Congress on Supportive Services for Individuals with Autism, requested by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations in House Report 117-96, describes supportive services that, in addition to healthcare, may be beneficial for improving outcomes for autistic individuals and their families. This report provides an overview of existing coverage policies for supportive services under federal programs. The report also describes activities and programs related to supportive services conducted by multiple federal departments and agencies, including agencies and offices within the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Departments of Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration.
The report highlights needs and opportunities for strengthening supportive services for individuals with autism. There are several critical areas of need, including long waitlists for services; the "services cliff" experienced after high school; workforce shortages; service delivery; services for older adults; as well as racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in access to quality autism services and care. Additionally, the report discusses how systems navigation tools and services can assist with the complexity of obtaining services and coverage. Also discussed is the need to establish and strengthen the evidence base demonstrating efficacy for some of the services that autistic individuals currently use and find helpful for addressing co-occurring physical and mental health conditions.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability (DD) identified in 1 in 44 children and approximately 2 percent of adults. Autism contributes to differences in areas including social interaction and communication, executive functioning, sensory processing, and motor coordination. Read more.
Overview of Coverage Policies for Supportive Services for People with Autism
There are a range of supportive services in different areas that can enhance quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum. Across the lifespan, many services are funded by Medicaid’s HCBS benefit. However, individuals may require additional supports in various areas, and alternate sources of support are needed for those who do not qualify or receive HCBS. Read more.
Research on Supportive Services that are Beneficial to Improved Outcomes for People with Autism
The combination and degree of characteristics can differ greatly from one autistic individual to another, resulting in a diverse array of service needs within the autism community. The following is a list of examples of the many kinds of services and supports that are accessed by individuals with autism and their families. Read more.
Current Federally Supported Services, Programs, and Coverage Policies
This report includes information submitted by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Social Security Administration on current federally supported ASD services, programs, and coverage policies. Read more.
Autism affects an estimate of 1 in 44 children in the United States and approximately two percent of adults. In addition to the social and communication challenges experienced by people on the autism spectrum, some also have language or intellectual disabilities or co-occurring physical and mental health conditions. Read more.
