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H H S Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration
Maternal and Child Health

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Combating Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

Combating Autism Act

This $47.7 million effort, HRSA's implementation of the Combating Autism Act of 2006, addresses some of the most urgent issues affecting people with autism and their families. A national evaluation also will be conducted to report to Congress on progress related to Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities.

The evaluation will contribute to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Report to Congress on progress related to Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities as required by the Combating Autism Act of 2006.

  • Increasing awareness
  • Reducing barriers to screening and diagnosis;
  • Supporting research on evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders or other developmental disabilities;
  • Promoting evidence-based guideline development for interventions; and
  • Training professionals to utilize valid screening tools to diagnose and to provide evidence based interventions.

Goal

Enable all infants, children and adolescents who have, or are at risk for developing, autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities to reach their full potential by

  • developing a system of services that includes screening children early for possible Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disorders;
  • conducting early, interdisciplinary, evaluations to confirm or rule out Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disorders; and,
  • providing evidence-based, early interventions when a diagnosis is confirmed.

A clinician with a mother and infant patient

About Autism

HHS Autism Information (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Autism Spectrum Disorders (National Institutes of Health)

Autism Research at NICHD (National Institutes of Health)

Autism Information Center (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 

ACT Early Curriculum (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 

Autism Case Training: Web-Based Continuing Education Course (Association of University Centers on Disabilities)

Act Early Ambassadors   (Association of University Centers on Disabilities)

Combating Autism Act

Combating Autism Act: Public Law 109-416 (PDF - 49 KB)

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)