Specifically, Autism CARES 2024:
- Directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research
- issues encountered by individuals and caregivers as they age,
- mental health concerns,
- co-occurring conditions
- needs for supports and services, such as care necessary for physical safety and the prevention of self-injurious behavior;
- Increases the number of NIH Centers of Excellence to seven and ensures research reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and is designed to address the full range of needs faced by individuals, including ensuring the physical safety and promoting the well-being of all Americans with autism;
- Includes, for the first time, a professional bypass budget to provide the autism community with a comprehensive budget highlighting priority research areas and resources needed to advance quality-of-life improvements for all individuals with autism and
- Promotes the adoption of assistive communication technologies to improve communications outcomes for those with communication assistance needs.
