Missouri Advocacy
Autism Speaks advocates to protect the rights, services and supports of people with autism. We work with partners on the federal and state government levels, collaborating with advocates, other organizations and policy leaders to redefine possible for people with autism.
Because of our collective advocacy, we have helped secure federal funding for programs in Missouri and advanced policy that improves autism insurance coverage, autism research, lifespan services for people with autism and more.
Because of state advocacy, Missouri…
- Has an autism insurance law requiring health plan coverage of relevant services, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), in state-regulated private insurance plans and Medicaid.
Because of federal advocacy, Missouri…
- Research institutions have been awarded over $76 million in autism research funding since FY15, including over $16.4 million in FY24 (most recent fiscal year).
- Received funding to train future health professionals at the University of Missouri through the LEND program to provide better health care services for autistic Missourians.
- Received funding to track autism prevalence and other important data about the characteristics and demographics of autistic children in Missouri through the MO-ADDM project.