The Drama and Trauma of Creating Policies on Autism Critical Issues to Consider in the New Millennium

There is considerable controversy regarding the provision of appropriate services for young children with autism and their families. A plethora of therapies have become available, most of which have uncertain efficacy. There is debate regarding which public agencies and private third-party payers have responsibility for the financing of services. There is particular controversy as to whether these therapies should be considered part of the scope of the entitlement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This article identifies the factors that make autism a vexing public policy issue. These include an increase in the incidence and prevalence of children with autism; a lack of consensus on the etiology of the disorder; a lack of consensus on the most successful methodology for clinical intervention; coincidence of the age of diagnosis with the upper age limit of Part C of IDEA; a shift to a family-centered decision-making paradigm; and an increase in due process hearings and litigatio...