The Autism CARES Act of 2024 represents the latest iteration in a series of legislative efforts ostensibly aimed at supporting the autistic community in the United States. However, as this week’s series of articles will explore, the Act falls significantly short of addressing the most pressing needs of autistic individuals, particularly adults, whilst perpetuating a system that benefits research organisations more than autistic people themselves.
Over the course of five in-depth analyses, I will critically examine the Act's provisions, its shortcomings, and its implications for the autistic community. I’ll begin with an overview of the Act, highlighting its key components and the glaring omissions that undermine its effectiveness. From there, I’ll delve into the critical issue of housing - a fundamental need that the Act largely ignores, leaving autistic adults vulnerable in an increasingly financialised and hostile housing market.
The third article will scrutinise the growth of the 'autism research industry', exploring how these organisations have proliferated and prospered whilst the financial circumstances of autistic individuals and their families have remained largely stagnant. This will be followed by a retrospective analysis of the research funded by previous iterations of the Act, questioning the practical impact and relevance of these studies to the daily lives of autistic people.
Finally, we conclude with a call to action, offering practical advocacy strategies to ensure that autistic voices are heard in discussions about how the Act's funds are allocated. Throughout this series, we aim to challenge the status quo, highlight the disconnect between policy and lived experience, and advocate for a more holistic, needs-based approach to supporting the autistic community.
By examining the Autism CARES Act of 2024 through these various lenses, I hope to spark a crucial dialogue about the future of autism policy in America - one that prioritises the actual needs and experiences of autistic individuals over the interests of research institutions and financial entities.
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The Autism CARES Act of 2024: A Week-Long Look
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The Autism CARES Act of 2024 represents the latest iteration in a series of legislative efforts ostensibly aimed at supporting the autistic community in the United States. However, as this week’s series of articles will explore, the Act falls significantly short of addressing the most pressing needs of autistic individuals, particularly adults, whilst perpetuating a system that benefits research organisations more than autistic people themselves.
Over the course of five in-depth analyses, I will critically examine the Act's provisions, its shortcomings, and its implications for the autistic community. I’ll begin with an overview of the Act, highlighting its key components and the glaring omissions that undermine its effectiveness. From there, I’ll delve into the critical issue of housing - a fundamental need that the Act largely ignores, leaving autistic adults vulnerable in an increasingly financialised and hostile housing market.
The third article will scrutinise the growth of the 'autism research industry', exploring how these organisations have proliferated and prospered whilst the financial circumstances of autistic individuals and their families have remained largely stagnant. This will be followed by a retrospective analysis of the research funded by previous iterations of the Act, questioning the practical impact and relevance of these studies to the daily lives of autistic people.
Finally, we conclude with a call to action, offering practical advocacy strategies to ensure that autistic voices are heard in discussions about how the Act's funds are allocated. Throughout this series, we aim to challenge the status quo, highlight the disconnect between policy and lived experience, and advocate for a more holistic, needs-based approach to supporting the autistic community.
By examining the Autism CARES Act of 2024 through these various lenses, I hope to spark a crucial dialogue about the future of autism policy in America - one that prioritises the actual needs and experiences of autistic individuals over the interests of research institutions and financial entities.