Reauthorization of Autism CARES Act to provide almost $2 billion for autism programs and research
Federal funding is assured for autism research nationwide following passage of the bipartisan Autism CARES Act. The act authorizes nearly $2 billion over the next five years for autistic programs and research.
That funding fuels research programs at research institutes and universities nationwide such as the University of Kansas, which is home to several autism research programs, scientists and graduate students, particularly at the KU Life Span Institute.
The Autism CARES Act is the primary source of federal funding for autism research, services, training, and monitoring. The law reauthorizes and expands the provisions of previous iterations of the legislation and reauthorizes support through September 2029.
“The Autism CARES Act provides critical support for the research and services that are invaluable to the many autistic individuals in the state of Kansas and their families,” said Matt Mosconi, director of the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (KCART), a KU Life Span Institute center that conducts research to support autistic people and individuals with related neurodevelopmental issues.
Mosconi added that funding provided by the bill is essential to funding the new discoveries and to addressing the day-to-day medical needs of the autism community.
The law also funds research to document the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, as it is clinically identified, which has risen over the past two decades. The Centers for Disease Control estimates 1 out of 36 children have autism, along with about 2.2% of adults.
Sean Swindler, director of community program development and evaluation at KCART, said the legislation is vital for the more than 46,000 autistic people in Kansas and their families.
“The Autism CARES Act supports critical research efforts including enhancing our understanding of the rates of autism,” Swindler said.
Since it was first enacted, the Autism CARES Act has been the most comprehensive federal law addressing the needs of children, adolescents, and adults with autism, according to the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).
The law funds AUCD university-based programs such as LEND, or Leadership Education in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities.
“The LEND program trains the next generation of professionals, families and autistics to lead,” Swindler said.
The Autism CARES Act was first enacted 17 years ago under President George W. Bush as the Combating Autism Act of 2006. The legislation has been the most comprehensive federal law addressing the needs of children, adolescents, and adults with autism, according to the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).
Over the past two decades, over $5.2 billion has been dedicated for autism at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) because of the Autism CARES Act.
President Joe Biden signed the latest version of the bill into law on Dec. 23, three days after the previous version had expired.