New Jersey 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 New Jersey and advanced policy that improves autism insurance coverage, autism research, healthcare training, transition to adulthood, lifespan services, dental care and safety for people with autism.
Because of state advocacy, New Jersey...
- 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, New Jersey...
- Research institutions have been awarded over $29.9 million in autism research funding since FY15, including $1.5 million in FY24 (most recent year available).
- Received funding to train future health professionals through the LEND program at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (New Brunswick, NJ) to provide better health care services for autistic New Jerseyans.
- Received funding through the ADDM program to track autism prevalence and other important data about the characteristics and demographics of autistic children in New Jersey (at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences).
- Law enforcement agencies and other organizations have received six grants because of Kevin and Avonte’s Law, to help prevent deaths and injuries associated with autistic individuals wandering from safety.