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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Journal Article
The Association of the Medicaid 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waivers with Emergency Department Utilization Among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Using 2008-2013 Medicaid files, this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the effect of Medicaid home and community-based services waiver programs on emergency department utilizations among youth with autism spectrum disorder.
Nov 13, 2023
Blog
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, Neurodiversity, Russia's 'Forever War': RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on public reports of unidentified aerial phenomena, neurodiversity and national security, Ukraine's path to victory, and more.
Jul 28, 2023
Commentary
In National Security, Autistic Employees Are in the Closet. Here's Why
Archaic U.S. military and federal policies, combined with decades-old understandings about autism spectrum disorder, create an environment where people hide their autism and other cognitive diagnoses. Our national security challenges are too difficult and too important to leave to the portion of the population who use their brains in only “typical” ways.
Jul 17, 2023
Commentary
An Autistic Soldier Wants You to Read This
Despite the recruitment challenges it is currently facing, the Army continues to make personnel decisions based on last century's understanding of neurodivergent diagnoses. The loosening of stigma associated with these diagnoses could improve recruitment, and the Army might reap the benefits of neurodiversity.
Jun 1, 2023
Report
Neurodiversity and National Security: How to Tackle National Security Challenges with a Wider Range of Cognitive Talents
This report provides research and analysis for national security managers and employees who seek to better understand neurodivergence and neurodiversity and desire simple steps to achieve neurodiverse inclusivity for national security workplaces.
Mar 27, 2023
Research Brief
Why National Security Needs Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity, like other forms of diversity, can strengthen an organization. Members of the neurodivergent population have skills that can be beneficial in many fields of interest to national security. These include pattern recognition, problem-solving, visualization, and memory.
Mar 27, 2023
Journal Article
Systematic Review: United States Workforce for Autism-Related Child Healthcare Services
The 33 studies reviewed identify multiple workforce-related challenges for families seeking treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder-including lack of primary care providers to serve these children, lack of specialty providers, and sociodemographic and geographic disparities in access to ASD services.
Jun 10, 2019
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
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
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
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
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
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
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