Document Type

Policy Brief

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This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Publication Date

2024

Abstract/ Summary

The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-60) is a federal law aimed at addressing the continued and dramatic increase of children and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2006 approximately 1 in 110 children were diagnosed with autism, compared with 1 in 36 children being diagnosed in 2020 - a near 300% increase (Autism Society & AUCD, 2023). Initially signed into law in 2006 as the Combating Autism Act, the law has been critical in helping to expand research and coordination, increase public awareness and surveillance, and expand interdisciplinary health professional training, to identify and support children and youth with autism (AUCD, 2011). Most recently reauthorized in 2019, the Autism CARES Act passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, demonstrating bipartisan support (AUCD, 2019). With a hard sunset date of September 30, 2024, the bill will once again need bipartisan endorsement in order to continue the vital research, training, and support that everyone impacted by autism needs.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

2023-2024 University of Maine Cohort of NH-ME LEND Trainees. (2024). The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act. Orono: University of Maine.

Version

pre-print (i.e. pre-refereeing)

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted.