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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Journal Article

Medicaid Waivers Targeting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Reduce the Need for Parents to Stop Working

Medicaid waivers are effective policies for addressing the care-related needs of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Mar 13, 2017
Commentary

On Vaccines, Trump Should Rely on Science

Research has proven that vaccines are extremely safe and effective. The public health implications of questioning this are serious. America should take every opportunity to protect kids by vaccinating them against every vaccine-preventable disease.

Jan 25, 2017
Report

Report

TRICARE Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Benefit: Comparison with Medicaid and Commercial Benefits

This study compared the Applied Behavior Analysis benefit provided by TRICARE as an early intervention for autism spectrum disorder with similar benefits in Medicaid and commercial health insurance plans.

Jan 11, 2016
Journal Article

Differences in Home- and Community-Based Services Waivers for Children with Autism

Though increasingly common, Medicaid waivers that enable home- and community-based services for children with autism spectrum disorders vary widely in terms of the specific disorders they target and the services they cover, and little is known about the characteristics of programs that improve access to care and clinical outcomes.

Jun 23, 2015
Research Brief

California's Vaccine Bill Is Now Law

California now has one of the strictest vaccination laws in the country. Signing the bill, Governor Jerry Brown said that “the science is clear.” RAND research shows that vaccines administered to children are extremely safe.

Aug 8, 2014
Journal Article

Child Vaccines Have Low Risk of Harmful Side Effects

Concerns about vaccine safety have led some parents to decline recommended vaccination of their children, leading to the resurgence of diseases. Harmful side effects are extremely rare and must be weighed against the protective benefits that vaccines provide.

Jul 2, 2014
Journal Article

Economic Burden of Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders

Compared to their peers, children with autism spectrum disorders have higher annual costs for health care appointments and prescriptions ($3,000 on average) and non-health care costs ($17,000 on average), such as special education at school. Previous analyses underestimated this economic burden, particularly for school systems.

Jan 1, 2014
Journal Article

What Evidence Says About How Best to Treat Children With Autism

Research evidence has many gaps, but treatment guidelines for children with autism spectrum disorders represent a significant step forward. Future research should focus on assessment and monitoring of outcomes, the needs of pre- or non-verbal children, and the most effective treatment strategies and duration.

Nov 1, 2012
News Release

News Release

Autism Interventions Supported by Moderate Evidence; Better Studies Needed to Validate Effectiveness

Head-to-head trials of competing autism treatments are needed to identify which programs are superior and additional work should follow study participants long-term to further examine the effectiveness of treatments.

Nov 1, 2012
Journal Article

Impact of a Private Health Insurance Mandate on Public Sector Autism Service Use in Pennsylvania

Many states have implemented regulations (commonly referred to as waivers) to increase access to publicly insured services for autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Aug 1, 2012
Journal Article

Journal Article

Fixing a Broken System: The Story of Autism, One State at a Time

This commentary presents an overview of the issues associated with how health plans and public Medicaid systems should share in the costs of assessing and treating children with autism.

Aug 1, 2012
Commentary

Commentary

Vaccine Myths Could Cost Lives: They Don't Give You Autism, and They'll Hardly Ever Make You Sick

Immunization remains the best and first line of defense against serious infectious illness. This year's seasonal flu shot incorporates vaccine for H1N1. It's safe, and it's vitally important to get it, write Art Kellermann and Katherine Harris.

Jan 13, 2011

RAND Topic:
Autism Spectrum Disorders

Topic Synonyms:
ASD;
ASDs;
Asperger Syndrome;
Atypical Autism;
Autistic Disorder;
Classic Autism;
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified