This $37 million effort, HRSA's implementation of the Combating Autism Act of 2006, addresses some of the most urgent issues affecting people with autism and their families. A national evaluation also will be conducted to report to Congress on progress related to Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities.

The evaluation will contribute to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Report to Congress on progress related to Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities as required by the Combating Autism Act of 2006.

Funded Activities
	Training for Professionals
	State Demonstrations and Policy
	Autism Intervention Research Networks

	Increasing awareness;
	Reducing barriers to screening and diagnosis;
	Supporting research on evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders or other developmental disabilities;
	Promoting evidence-based guideline development for interventions; and
	Training professionals to utilize valid screening tools to diagnose and to provide evidence based interventions.

Goal

Enable all infants, children and adolescents who have, or are at risk for developing, autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities to reach their full potential by

developing a system of services that includes screening children early for possible Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disorders;
conducting early, interdisciplinary, evaluations to confirm or rule out Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disorders; and,
providing evidence-based, early interventions when a diagnosis is confirmed.