Articles
Advocacy News
5.23.2022
Virginia celebrates increased protections for autism services
New Virginia law ensures that autism is protected by federal mental health parity law and secures coverage for a wider range of medically necessary
Advocacy News
2.18.2022
Autism Speaks Applauds Introduction of the Autism Family Caregivers Act
Representatives Grace Meng (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mike Doyle (D-PA) introduced the Autism Family Caregivers Act to improve the lives of
Advocacy News
2.10.2022
Autism Speaks representative appointed to National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Consumer Liaison group
Autism Speaks Senior Director of State Government Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy Kelly Headrick was recently named as a 2022 NAIC consumer liaison
Advocacy News
2.8.2022
Historic progress in children’s Medicaid coverage of autism services
This month, Texas became the 50th state to implement its Medicaid autism services benefit which provides coverage for ABA therapy when medically
Advocacy News
1.28.2022
New Texas ABA Medicaid benefit
Click here to learn about the new Texas ABA Medicaid benefit. Effective February 1, 2022, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a covered benefit for
Advocacy News
1.6.2022
Autism Speaks recognizes Iowa Governor Reynolds for support of community
Autism advocates and families recognize Iowa Governor with the AS Public Service Award for championing initiatives that support autistic adults in
Advocacy News
12.30.2021
2021 Advocacy Highlights
Our Advocacy Team pursues policy solutions throughout the year that protect the rights of and enhance the services and supports for people with autism
Advocacy News
11.19.2021
U.S. House Passes Historic Investment in Home and Community-Based Services
The historic $150 billion investment in HCBS was passed as a part of the Build Back Better Act and comes after months of advocacy where autistic
Advocacy News
10.6.2021
Autism Speaks recognizes Nebraska legislators as autism champions
Autism advocates joined us in recognizing the leadership of Speaker Mike Hilgers, Senator Lynne Walz and Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner
Advocacy News
9.10.2021
Autism Speaks urges Texas to protect the voting rights of autistic individuals
Voting is a fundamental right. Autism Speaks is concerned that recent changes to Texas’ election laws will make voting more burdensome for people with
Advocacy News
8.30.2021
Oklahoma Insurance Department announces expanded coverage of autism benefits
Policy changes included in the insurance bulletin will provide more equitable access to care by changing the state’s mandated age, dollar and hour
Advocacy News
8.18.2021
Accessing Developmental Disability Waiver Services in Illinois
This resource aims to help guide you through the process of obtaining Illinois DD Waiver Services, given recent changes in PUNS guidelines.
Advocacy News
7.29.2021
House-passed bill calls for greater autism research investment to address disparities, lifespan issues and co-occurring health conditions
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a package of annual spending bills that includes several important priorities that Autism Speaks has
Advocacy News
7.19.2021
Oregon renews autism insurance law
The state legislature has passed a bill reauthorizing Oregon's Autism Health Insurance Reform law through January 2, 2030.
Advocacy News
7.7.2021
Ohio Autism Scholarship receives increased funding
An Autism Speaks-supported initiative to increase the annual amount of the Ohio Autism Scholarship was included in the newly-approved Ohio state
Advocacy News
6.4.2021