How Should We Solve the Autism Problem? We Have to Break the System To Fix It

It’s growing harder and harder to ignore the rising rates of autism diagnoses in our country.

According to the CDC, 1 in 36 children is currently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In some states like mine, the rates are even higher. In Newark alone, 1 in 20 students were identified with autism – a sudden spike that has strained local resources. Autism cases in NJ have spiked 300 percent in the past 16 years. Yet, we haven’t figured out how to help those kids and families yet.

Our schools shove those kids in basement classrooms, until they’re old enough to be foisted on the state disability system. The states don’t have enough facilities or staff to run programs for them, so they toss parents some money and run away. Businesses don’t want to employ autistic people, even those with college degrees; that’s why the autism unemployment rate is about 80 percent. Communities don’t know how to fold isolated individuals and families into existed programs at churches and libraries, so bad things happen.

We need to figure out how to manage autism, our squarest peg. It’s going to take creative thinking in education, health care, disability support system, and communities. Good solutions will provide relief for individuals and families, as well as control costs and reduce waste. In addition, smart programs will have spillover benefits for the entire community. To make real changes, we have to change multiple systems and go beyond superficial, click-bait solutions.