WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on National Caregivers Day, U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Grace Meng (D-NY), and Mike Doyle (D-PA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus, introduced the bipartisan Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2022, a bipartisan bill that would provide access to caregiver skills training for family members who care for children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities or delays.
“As a member of the Congressional Autism Caucus, I am deeply committed to ensuring that individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities and their families have the support they need," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I am proud to join Reps. Meng and Doyle to introduce the bipartisan Autism Family Caregivers Act, which will equip our hardworking caregivers with the training and tools that are essential to support healthy development in children with autism.”
“Every day, caregivers give endlessly of their own time and energy to help our loved ones live more complete lives. With families spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as disruptions to in-person learning continue, access to tools and assistance for children with developmental disabilities is essential to support healthy development,” said Rep. Meng. “Our bill directly addresses the disparity in access to services for families of children with autism or other developmental disabilities or delays by providing an evidence-based way to support healthy development of young children with autism while empowering family caregivers with knowledge and skills. Giving caregivers a route to get the type of training and resources they need not only benefits the communities they serve but also the children’s lives they are in charge of enhancing.”
“Making sure that caregivers have the right training and skills to care for children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities can go a long way to ensuring that every child with autism reaches their full potential,” said Rep. Doyle. “I am excited to introduce the bipartisan Autism Family Caregivers Act with Representative Meng and Representative Fitzpatrick, which will improve both the mental and physical well-being of caregivers and children alike.”
The Autism Family Caregivers Act would establish a five-year pilot program that would award grants to nonprofit organizations, community health centers, hospital systems, or a consortium, to provide evidence-based caregiver skills training to family caregivers of children with autism and other developmental disabilities or delays. Caregiver skills training teaches family caregivers how to use every day routines and home activities to improve the mental and physical well-being of children with autism and other developmental disabilities or delays, and their caregivers, including by addressing communication skills, daily living skills, social engagement, and behavior management.
The measure would also establish a Caregiver Skills Training National Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center to assist in the implementation of the caregiver skills training programs at the various sites, evaluate the effectiveness of such programs in improving the lives of children with autism and their family caregivers, and establish best practices.
“We are grateful to Reps. Grace Meng, Mike Doyle and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing the Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2022 which recognizes the disparities in access to services in communities across the country for children with autism and other developmental disabilities and delays,” said Dr. Andy Shih, Interim Chief Science Officer at Autism Speaks. “By providing caregivers with access to evidence-based resources, the Autism Family Caregivers Act will bring programs to underserved communities and help to create better outcomes for children with autism and other developmental disabilities while also making improvements in the wellbeing of caregivers."
Organizations that have endorsed the bill include: Autism Speaks, Family Voices, National Council on Severe Autism, Autism Society of America, the Arc, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Down Syndrome Society.
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