As Autism Awareness Month nears its end, MDHHS highlights importance of additional health benefits

For Immediate Release: April 27, 2016

LANSING, Mich. – During the month of April, Michigan has joined millions of families and organizations worldwide in raising awareness about autism, which affects one in 68 children, during this Autism Awareness Month.

“April is officially Autism Awareness Month, but here in Michigan, we're working to go further than awareness to create a more inclusive world,” Calley said. “My family and I became involved in autism awareness efforts to help give our daughter, and all Michigan kids with autism, the same opportunities other children have. We continue the critically important work to ensure that all talented individuals living with autism have an opportunity to reach their hopes and dreams.”

Several events were scheduled this month in Michigan to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These include: blue lighting the Detroit’s Renaissance Center; on April 2, Elliott Tower at Oakland University was lit blue to recognize World Autism Awareness Day; students painted rocks blue at the University of Michigan campuses in Ann Arbor and Dearborn; and today, April 27, the Hope Network Bridge Walk for Autism takes place in Grand Rapids.

ASD affects many young people. In Michigan’s public schools, 18,000 students were eligible for ASD services in school during the last academic year. On Jan. 1, 2016, Michigan Medicaid began allowing for the provision of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for individuals diagnosed with ASD up to age 21. There are now 1,985 individuals diagnosed with ASD in Michigan receiving these services through Medicaid; of those, 558 individuals are age 6 and older and became eligible for services under the recently enacted policy.

“This policy makes it possible for more Michigan families to benefit from ABA services,” Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon said. “We remain committed to extending the reach of screening, preventive care, and treatment to help ensure families have the tools they need to succeed.”

To help universities increase services to those with autism, MDHHS recently awarded contracts to seven universities: Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University, Oakland University, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Wayne State University and Western Michigan University. The goals of these contracts include increasing the number of physicians and medical students trained in screening for ASD, expanding the number of providers to evaluate and treat those with autism, and increasing the number of professionals providing ABA services in Michigan.

ASD, often referred to as autism, is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive patterns of behavior and impairments related to social interaction and communication. Symptoms of ASD typically become prevalent during the first few years of life and can sometimes be detected prior to 18 months of age. Early screening and intervention is vital for children who may have ASD.  While autism varies with each child in severity and presentation, there are common core symptoms. ABA intervention services focus on the use of evidence-based practices to improve socially significant behavior and help individuals lead more independent lives.                                                                            

Those with concerns that their child may have ASD should contact their doctor. For more information about Michigan’s efforts to raise awareness and increase services for those affected by autism, visit www.michigan.gov/autism.

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