Articles/Resources

National Crisis in Adult Services

Autism Society of America Position Paper
on
The National Crisis in Adult Services for
Individuals with Autism

A CALL TO ACTION

Updated May, 2007

(Adopted July 17, 2001 by ASA Board of Directors)

Author: Ruth Christ Sullivan, Ph.D.
....................Honorary Board Member, ASA

Summary
..... The critical shortage of services for adults with autism is a daily hardship for tens of thousands of families in the U.S. who struggle to provide a meaningful and productive life for their loved one who has aged-out of school. Since 1975 when the Education for All Handicapped Act (now Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, I.D.E.A.) mandated a free and appropriate education for children with disabilities, parents took for granted their child had a firm and Congressionally mandated right to services. Many are stunned to learn that when their child leaves school, the mandate for services ceases.
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