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Monthly Mission Spotlight

In this Monthly Mission Spotlight, Autism Speaks highlights some of our work in June to support autistic individuals across the life span. We announced the winner of our HeroX challenge, a nationwide competition to create a tool that helps autistic adults navigate the employment search; funded new research; and successfully advocated to reduce the waiting time to receive autism services in Maryland. You’ll also see how people with autism are sharing their voices to help the autism community.

Improving the transition to adulthood

Autism Speaks and HeroX propose new ideas to improve the employment search for autistic adults

Autism Speaks and HeroX recently announced the winner of the "Autism Employment Connector Challenge.” The Autism Speaks-sponsored Challenge invited innovators age 18 years or older, including jobseekers, employers, students, recruiters and members of the community, to identify solutions that support autistic job seekers navigating the employment search and application process while effectively communicating skills and abilities to prospective employers. Read more.

Ensuring access to reliable information and services throughout the lifespan

Autism Speaks informs Florida constituents about COVID-19 vaccines

As a new COVID-19 variant emerges, Autism Speaks is sharing information and resources to combat vaccine hesitancy in Florida and help the autism community stay safe and healthy. In a new blog post and podcast, two autistic adults shared why they got the vaccine and how they made the experience more autism-friendly.

Being a catalyst for life-enhancing research breakthroughs

Autism Speaks and Royal Arch Masons award $170,000 of funding to researchers studying auditory processing disorder

Autism Speaks, with the support of a Royal Arch Research Assistance grant, is funding one pilot research project and one post-doctoral fellowship to advance the study of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) in autism. People on the spectrum with CAPD can typically hear normally but have difficulty processing what they hear. The pilot study will be funded at $60,000 for one year, and the fellowship recipient will be awarded $55,000 per year for two years. Read more.

Increasing early childhood screening and timely interventions

New Maryland law will expand access to its Medicaid Autism Waiver

Governor Hogan signed the “End the Wait Act” into law which will decrease the waiting time for the Autism Waiver by 50% beginning in Maryland's 2024 fiscal year. The Autism Waiver provides a wide array of services such as day programs, respite care, residential services, intensive individual supports and more. Autistic children and the families who rely on these services currently are placed on a waiting list for 8 to 9 years. The Autism Speaks Advocacy team looks forward to working with the state to ensure a smooth implementation of the new law to get children the supports they deserve faster. Read more.

Increasing global understanding and acceptance of people with autism

Adulting on the Spectrum: Finding my calling helping the autism community

This month, our Adulting on the Spectrum podcast hosts spoke with Autism Response Team Associate Tony Hernandez about his experience as an advocate for autism, mental health and other causes. In this podcast, Tony explains how he overcame bullying and other challenges and found his calling helping other autistic people and their families. Take a listen or a read here.

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