At ABA Centers of America, we pride ourselves on being a go-to resource for families and communities navigating the complexities of autism care. As we work to support families with ABA therapy and other essential services, we recognize the importance of staying informed about critical legislation that affects autism care across the nation. One such piece of legislation—the Autism CARES Act—is at a pivotal moment in its renewal process, and time is running out.

On September 18, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives took a significant step forward by passing the Autism CARES Act of 2024. The bill, officially known as the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act, was passed by a sweeping bipartisan vote of 402-13. This monumental victory for the autism community comes with a commitment of over $1.95 billion to be allocated through 2030, funding crucial services, including autism screening, research, professional training, prevalence tracking, and more.

However, despite this overwhelming support in the House, the legislative journey for Autism CARES is far from over. The bill still requires passage by the Senate and President Joe Biden’s signature to become law.

With the current law set to expire on September 30, 2024, there is significant concern that the window of opportunity to renew this vital legislation is closing fast.

Why the Autism CARES Act Matters

The Autism CARES Act, first passed in 2006, has served as the backbone of federal autism programs for nearly two decades. It provides essential resources to agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to better understand, diagnose, and treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This latest renewal would not only continue these critical programs but also expand upon them in meaningful ways.

The updated version of the Autism CARES Act requires the NIH to enhance its focus on the full range of adaptive, behavioral, cognitive, and communicative needs faced by individuals on the spectrum. It also directs the NIH to boost its number of Centers of Excellence, providing hubs for groundbreaking autism research. This new bill further mandates the NIH to present an annual budget plan specifically for autism research, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

Beyond research, the bill calls for an essential government report detailing the trends of youth aging out of school-based autism services, a crucial issue that many families grapple with. Additionally, the bill would help increase the pool of qualified behavioral pediatricians, furthering the training and education of professionals who specialize in autism care.

The Senate’s Role and Urgency

While the House’s passage is a reason for optimism, the bill still faces a critical hurdle in the Senate. Should the Senate fail to act before the September 30 deadline, the country’s primary autism law will expire, cutting off essential funding and stalling programs that support millions of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Given that Congress grinds in budget debates and other legislative priorities, the timing of this renewal is more precarious than ever. Although the Senate tends to mirror bipartisan support for autism initiatives, the legislative clock is ticking. Without swift action, families and autism care providers could find themselves in limbo.

ABA Centers of America will continue to monitor the situation closely, advocating for quick Senate approval of the Autism CARES Act to avoid any disruption in services for individuals and families that depend on these critical resources.

ABA Therapy and The Need for Legislative Support