#By Vladimir Kogan
#In the wake of Nevada's groundbreaking Senate Bill 191, a new chapter in autism care is beginning. This landmark legislation extends social support benefits for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), laying the groundwork for lifelong autism support.
#While SB191 raises the age limit for Medicaid coverage of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, recognizing the ongoing nature of autism, questions remain about the scope of its impact. What additional policies can ensure that individuals with ASD receive adequate, evidence-based support throughout their lives, and how can these policies be structured and funded to meet their needs?
#Analyzing the costs for additional autism services and consideration of funding reveals an intricate economic landscape, reflecting the extensive impact of autism across various sectors such as health care, education and family incomes. The annual cost of autism services in the U.S. was $268 billion in 2015, and is expected to increase to $461 billion by 2025, with adult autism services between $175 billion and $196 billion annually. Over a lifetime, the cost of supporting a person with autism is approximately $2.4 million, and $60,000 to $240,000 annually for intensive behavioral services.
#The provision of services to meet the myriad developing needs of those with ASD is often costly. While expanding additional policies for lifelong support will raise these costs, the economic consequences of not providing adequate support are equally severe. School systems, health care services, therapeutic costs and special education expenses are already substantial.
#The harsh economic burden on families, particularly parents of children with autism (costs related to accommodation, respite care and out-of-pocket expenditures), highlights the need for more focused research and policy interventions.
#A combination of government funding, private grants, and public-private partnerships could be explored to fund these expanded services. Government funding could be allocated through existing health and social service budgets, increased autism-specific appropriations or reallocation of funds from less effective programs.
#Private grants from philanthropic organizations and corporations could support specific initiatives or research projects. Public-private partnerships could leverage private investment to expand and improve services, potentially introducing innovative care models and increasing efficiency.
#Ultimately, the investment in comprehensive autism support services will contribute to better health outcomes, increased productivity and a higher quality of life for those with autism, which could offset some of the initial costs in the long term. There are already promising initiatives in the works to support those with ASD:
#• The Online and Applied System for Intervention Skills (OASIS) project, part of the Administration for Community Living's intervention research, aims to broaden the reach of OASIS, as well as enhance online training resources and intervention tools that specifically cater to the needs of ASD individuals. By doing so, OASIS aims to empower educators, caregivers and professionals with more effective strategies.
#• The Autism Family Caregivers Act (HR2965/S1333) proposes grants for training caregivers in evidence-based skills for caring for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. This act recognizes caregivers' critical role and seeks to enhance their ability to provide high-quality, compassionate care.
#• The HEADs-UP Act (HR3380) seeks to enhance access to behavioral, medical and dental care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by designating them as a medically underserved population. The act also seeks to implement targeted programs and services that address their specific health care needs, reducing disparities and improving overall health outcomes.
#• The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Access Act (HR1493/S762) focuses on ensuring a choice between home care and institutional care for older adults and people with disabilities. The hope is to eliminate HCBS waiting lists and streamline the process for states seeking HCBS waivers.
#We can't move ahead without innovative policies backed by rigorous research and guided by the communities these policies are intended to help. Clearly, there is an increasing need for deeper cultural and legislative shifts to implement a systematic approach to providing lifetime care for people with autism — a sophisticated approach of autism-related benefits that account for the spectrum's ever-changing circumstances.
#Shaping a community that appreciates the unique qualities of people with autism should involve providing them with the resources they need to live the life they envision.
#Vladimir Kogan is the CEO and founder of the Nevada Autism Center.