Ohio 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 Ohio and advanced policy that improves autism insurance coverage, autism research, lifespan services for people with autism and more.
Because of state advocacy, Ohio...
- 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.
- Secured a 20% increase in annual amounts for the Ohio Autism Scholarship Program, increasing autistic students’ access to educational, therapeutic and behavioral services.
Because of federal advocacy, Ohio...
- Research institutions have been awarded over $24.9 million in autism research funding since FY15, including $6.1 million in FY24 (most recent year available).
- Received funding to train future health professionals at two academic institution through the LEND program to provide better health care services for autistic Ohioans (at Ohio State University & the University of Cincinnati).
- Received funding to train future developmental behavioral pediatricians at Children's Hospital Medical Center, helping address the national shortage of DBPs who specialize in care for autistic children.
- Awarded law enforcement agencies and other organizations two grants (totaling nearly $300,000) because of Kevin and Avonte’s Law, to help prevent deaths and injuries associated with autistic individuals wandering from safety.