Report on State Services to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ASD Services Project

摘要

Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the United States has increased sharply. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 110 children in the US has an ASD. While the national economic downturn persists, causing public revenues to decrease, states are challenged to meet the growing demand for publicly financed services to individuals diagnosed with ASD. To make the most effective use of limited resources, federal and state policymakers need empirical data to make informed decisions about which services and support systems are safe and cost-effective in meeting the complex needs of children, adolescents, and adults with ASD. Few initiatives have focused on providing information about the most effective services for individuals with ASD. Those that do, such as the National Standards Project (NSP), have primarily addressed the needs of individuals under age 21 years. Although these efforts provide critical information about effective services and supports for individuals with ASD, gaps exist in information about promising services for transition-age youth and adults. In particular, prior to this study, no efforts at the national level examined ASD services and supports within the context of Medicaid, which is the main public funder of such services outside the education system for affected individuals and their families.