October 09, 2023
- A new Canadian study has estimated the cumulative costs over 1-, 5- and 10-year periods for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research discovered that the mean cost of ASD in the first year post-diagnosis was $4710.18 Canadian dollars (CAD), with physician services accounting for 30% of total costs and psychiatric and medical care hospitalizations making up 33% of total costs. The cumulative mean costs over 5 and 10 years were $16,025.95 CAD and $32,635.76 CAD, respectively. The study also revealed that healthcare costs were highest in the first year post-diagnosis and decreased over time. The authors suggest that their findings provide valuable information for resource allocation and informed clinical decision-making in supporting individuals with ASD.
- University of Pennsylvania researchers have recently released a systematic review that explored effective strategies for addressing emotional dysregulation and challenging behaviors in autism. Their work identified 30 evidence-based strategies with empirical support, including 21 National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP) identified strategies and nine commonly used strategies in childhood mental health. Two previously unrecognized evidence-based strategies, Emotion Regulation Training and Role Play and Practice, were rated as the top ten evidence-based strategies. The review highlighted the importance of explicitly teaching children and adolescents on the autism spectrum to recognize and regulate their emotional states and role-play replacement behaviors. Focusing on skill-building rather than punishing challenging behavior is a departure from previously accepted practices. The review also emphasized the need to determine the function of problematic behaviors before choosing an evidence-based strategy to implement. Additionally, the review featured significant gaps in the field, including a need for studies covering certain developmental stages, contexts, and groups, such as middle or high-school students.
- Join TACA’s Parent Mentors via Zoom on October 26, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. PDT, as they discuss highlights from the upcoming 2023 TACA National Conference. Whether you have questions about the presentations you attended or plan to watch/rewatch the recorded presentations via virtual conference registration, TACA’s parent mentors are ready to help with the next steps in an action plan for your child. TACA welcomes attendees to join the discussion! Please RSVP for this exciting event! An email with the login information will be sent on the presentation day.
- The Autism Research Institute (ARI) has uploaded a new comprehensive Planning for the Holiday Season link on their website. The link includes holiday social stories, recipe and candy guide, coping strategies, safety tips, activities, and travel suggestions.
- The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) has recently released the 2021-2023 IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Research, Services, and Policy. The report provides an overview of the current understanding of many issues relevant to the autism community, as well as gaps and opportunities in autism research, services and supports, and policy. The plan was developed with input from many perspectives and areas of expertise represented on IACC and public comments delivered at IACC meetings.
