Other Stories

Margot votes! Will others too?

A handful of states (like Pennsylvania) do not strip people under guardianship of their right to vote. But the usual red-tape, confusion about how to register, and conspiracies about voter fraud, all create unnecessary barriers to the exercise of that right.

A drop in the bucket

New analyses of the $2.5 billion of research grants awarded in the US between 2008 and 2015 suggests that these investments rarely have a direct or immediate impact on improving how well community-based practitioners identify ASD.

Delaware Network on Excellence in Autism

Can a new statewide training initiative increase expertise and capacity while bridging important gaps between sectors? Yes, if it focuses on cross-cutting needs, leverages other resources, and works with an effective inter-agency ASD committee.

The business of innovation in ASD services

Surprisingly, service innovation does not grow naturally from research: it builds on business plans shaped by available expertise, funding, key staff, and leadership. The result? Established services  grow rapidly while emerging needs languish.

A Bus to Betsy's

The nominee for Secretary of Education does not know what IDEA is. She wants more charters and less oversight. She thinks best practices and equal protection vary from state to state. Betsy DeVos would send special education back to the Stone Age.

Train & Hope Program Development

Too many people promoting the adoption of new practices focus on new programs of training. Their mistake? Ignoring other changes in policy and services often needed to support the widespread adoption of new practices.

Don't be blinded by white elephants

New programs that begin by investing heavily in new facilities risk creating a white elephant. Consider first creating an expert team, and then demonstrating that your program is effective, replicable, and sustainable.

Implement, baby, implement!

After three decades and billions of dollars spent on research, many people with ASD and related conditions are still seeing little or no benefit in their day to day lives.  Is traditional autism research becoming a bridge to nowhere?