Implications of emerging trends in healthcare policy and service development for autistic adults and youth

This presentation examines emerging trends in healthcare policy and service development and their potential implications for autistic adults and youth. These trends include changes to diagnostic criteria, development of new community-based services, and post-secondary transition innovations. The following descriptions discuss these trends in greater detail:

The first trend refers to changes to the clinical diagnostic criteria for autism made by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The APA plans to publish the fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in May 2013. DSM's fourth edition (DSM-IV) contained five diagnostic categories for autism. These diagnoses included autistic disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified), childhood disintegrative disorder, and Rett Syndrome. DSM-5, the fifth edition, shifts to a unified diagnosis in autism spectrum disorder.

The second trend involves the development of new services to improve the community inclusion, self-determination, and quality of life of autistic people. Many states and municipalities developed services specifically for autistic adults and youth. For instance, Pennsylvania created two Medicaid-funded home and community-based service systems for autistic adults. These service systems include the Adult Autism Waiver and the Adult Community Autism Program. Additionally, states and municipalities also changed developmental disability services to improve service provision for autistic people.

The third trend refers to post-secondary transition services for autistic youth. Autistic youth benefit from services that support transition from high school to community living, high education, and employment. This presentation examines emerging innovations in the development of post-secondary transition services for autistic youth.