Comprehensive legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-4) to provide significant funding and enhanced support for Americans with autism was signed this week. The Autism CARES Act of 2024 is set to provide more than $1.95 billion over the next five years for programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
During recent discussions on the House Floor, Smith mentioned, "At CDC, the funding will support developmental disability surveillance and research; at HRSA, it will cover education, early detection, and intervention services; at NIH, it will drive research and coordinate autism-related activities, including the Inter-Agency Coordinatin Committee (IACC)." This bill, which builds on earlier iterations from 2011, 2014, and 2019, is expected to greatly improve the quality of life for millions of Americans with autism.
Smith, whose support for autism advocacy spans over two decades, stated, "According to the CDC, 1 in 36 children in the United States — including 1 in 35 children from my home state of New Jersey — are on the autism spectrum. This legislation pursues necessary research goals and focuses on effective interventions for the estimated 6.8 million individuals with autism, over 1.8 million of whom are considered to be on the more severe end of the spectrum.”
Alongside Smith, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) co-led support for the legislation, gathering over 60 bipartisan co-sponsors. Cuellar emphasized the bill's impact, saying, "This bipartisan bill will provide funding to expand research and care for Americans with autism. Through this bill, we continue important work to understand the causes of autism and the best treatments, incorporating voices of those previously overlooked by research."
Among the key objectives of the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 are:
- Directing the NIH to conduct research on issues faced by individuals and their caregivers as they age, particularly mental health concerns and needs for support and services.
- Increasing the number of NIH Centers of Excellence from three to seven, ensuring research comprehensively addresses the diverse needs of those on the autism spectrum.
- For the first time, implementing a professional bypass budget to outline priority areas for autism research and enhancement of quality of life for affected individuals.
- Promoting the adoption of assistive communication technologies to improve communication outcomes for those needing support.
Smith reflected on the grassroots origins of his advocacy, stating, "It all started in September 1997 with Bobbie and Billy Gallagher from Brick Township and their unwavering commitment to their children with autism. Together, we recognized federal autism programs were severely lacking." These early conversations led to Smith inviting federal agencies to investigate the area's autism statistics, which prompted the enactment of the Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research, and Epidemiology Act as part of the Children’s Health Act of 2000.
Smith's district encompasses parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties in New Jersey, representing towns such as Avon-By-The-Sea, Belmar, Howell Township, and Tinton Falls, all of which can expect to benefit from the increased funding aimed at advancing research, care, and support for autism spectrum disorder.
The Autism CARES Act has garnered backing from leading autism advocacy organizations, including Autism New Jersey, Autism Speaks, and the Autism Society, which view this bill as pivotal for future autism research and support initiatives. Smith concluded optimistically, noting, "This is more than just funding; it's about ensuring safety and maximizing the quality of life for all individuals with autism, which makes this legislation truly meaningful."
