We are thrilled to introduce our contributor for this month’s blog post — Kim Musheno, a passionate advocate for the rights and welfare of individuals on the Autism spectrum. As the Executive Vice President of Public Policy at the Autism Society of America, Kim takes the lead in establishing strategies that unite individuals on the Autism spectrum and their families with essential support.
This Autism Acceptance Month, we are privileged to present Kim’s insights, as she calls on all of us to promote health equity, acceptance, and inclusion. Her expertise and commitment offer us a guiding light, in line with our collective pursuit of fostering an inclusive and supportive society. It also gives us an opportunity to learn from a variety of perspectives and understand more about the evolution of language. For example, moving from awareness to acceptance and using both people first and identity first language when referring to individuals on the Autism spectrum.
April marks Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate neurodiversity, promote acceptance, and advocate for the rights of individuals on the Autism spectrum. Promoting awareness and acceptance of Autism is at the core of the Autism Society of America’s mission. The shift from “awareness” to “acceptance” signifies a broader understanding and acknowledgement of the lived experiences of Autistic people. While awareness raises visibility, acceptance fosters inclusion, respect, and support. It represents a cultural shift towards embracing diversity and promoting equity for individuals on the Autism spectrum.
As part of our #CelebrateDifferences campaign, the Autism Society will use its branded vehicles to travel nationwide, collecting community stories with its Road to Acceptance project. This mobile video studio will engage community members to reflect on acts of acceptance, moments of challenges, and opportunities for greater inclusion. Our stories connect us – to our loved ones, strangers, and the world around us.
At our urging, for the first time ever, the presidential proclamation has evolved from “awareness” to celebrating “acceptance,” which we feel goes much further to dispel myths, foster understanding and create inclusive environments.
However, amidst the national recognition, it is crucial to address the disparities in healthcare access and support.
Health equity means everyone has the chance to attain their highest health potential. It goes beyond equal access to healthcare services; it encompasses fair opportunities for health and well-being, regardless of one’s background, identity, or abilities. For Autistic individuals, achieving health equity requires addressing the unique challenges they face in accessing healthcare and support services.
The Autism Society is dedicated to health equity, which is the foundation for a healthy life. People with Autism experience higher rates of medical and mental health conditions, poor health outcomes, and premature mortality. In addition to social and economic barriers, the Autistic community faces sensory, communication, cognitive, and other unique barriers to accessible healthcare.
By addressing the barriers to equitable healthcare access and support, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment where all individuals, regardless of neurodiversity, can thrive and achieve their highest level. The Autism Society’s Vaccine Education Initiative (VEI) is just one example of how we are prioritizing health equity.
The Autism Society of America created the Vaccine Education Initiative to address systemic barriers and promote vaccine education, confidence, and access. Through the VEI, we strive to improve the vaccination experience by ensuring children, adults, and older adults with disabilities are included and supported. Additionally, the VEI supports healthcare provider training by equipping providers with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to meet the diverse needs of individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Our model has been proven to increase accessibility, reduce stress, and improve outcomes. The Autism Society is rewriting the vaccine experience to increase accessibility, reduce trauma, and build inclusive communities.
The Autism Society is working holistically to address health equity outcomes including healthcare, mental health, suicide prevention, employment and home and community-based services. Since health equity means more than just health care, our national programs are also focusing on employment, water safety, first responder and police training.
Our advocacy team also engages in legislation to achieve health equity. Our public policy agenda includes legislation to increase opportunities for:
• competitive, integrated employment
• improved health and behavioral health care
• research on best practices and evidence-based interventions
• increased capacity of home and community-based services and supports
One of our biggest priorities for the remainder of this Session of Congress is to reauthorize the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act. First enacted in 2006, this law represents a landmark in coordinated federal efforts to address the increasing prevalence of Autism. The law has made great strides helping to identify (or rule out) Autism earlier so that children can get the services they need as soon as possible. The law authorized research to better understand Autism and how to best serve this complex developmental disability. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now reporting that approximately 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with Autism, the need for comprehensive approach to Autism has never been more critical.
To ensure the continuity and expansion of critical Autism services and research, the Autism Society is urging Congress to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act with more funding and to add provisions to support unmet communication needs, support caregivers, provide research on those with complex medical and behavioral support needs, and provide legal advocacy to combat injustices.
The Autism Society collaborates with over 100 other national disability organizations within the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities. This collaboration is essential to advocate on Capitol Hill with one voice. Collectively, we are stronger, especially in these difficult times of political polarization.
As we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, let us not forget the importance of promoting health equity. Together, let us work towards breaking down barriers and fostering true acceptance and inclusion for everyone in the Autism and disability community. As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month, please remember that accessible and inclusive healthcare is not a luxury, it is a human right that should be honored for all.
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