May 8, 2008 Press Release

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NH Commission on Autsim Spectrum Disorders Reports Findings

Press Conference 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 13 at the Legislative Office Building, Concord, NH on the findings of the NH Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders.

CONCORD, N.H. – NH must make significant improvements to its system of care for children and adults with autism-related disabilities or face billions of dollars in long term, largely preventable costs. This is among the findings that the NH Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders will announce when it releases its study at a press conference on Tuesday, May 13 at 1:00 in the Legislative Office Building in Concord.

The Commission was established by the legislature in 2007 in response to the rapidly increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders. The Commission's final report includes recommendations to bring NH's education and human services systems into alignment with nationally recognized best practices. These include universal screening at 18 and 24 months, at least 25 hours/week of intensive early intervention and new models of supported employment to assist adults with autism or a related disability in finding and retaining competitive employment. The Commission also seeks to open a dialogue with the health insurance industry regarding the coverage of medially necessary treatments for autism.

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The Centers for Disease Control have found that one in every 150 children born today will be affected by an autism spectrum disorder, a neurologically-based medical condition that impacts an individual’s ability to communicate and to interact socially.

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