Supporting Autistic Children in the Child Welfare System

• By: Judith A. Lucas, MD, MJ Albany Medical Center
• September 15th, 2025
• caregiver maltreatment, child welfare system, communication challenges, Fall 2025 Issue, family stress, foster care placement, professional training, trauma-informed support
• 695    0

Child welfare system (CWS) involvement is extremely stressful for families, particularly those with autistic children. Research has shown that substantially higher numbers of children with autism are reported to and investigated by child protective services. Some evidence suggests that autistic...

Autism Laws and Policies: How Legal Protections Can Prevent Stigmatization and Support Advocacy Efforts

• By: Judith A. Lucas, MD, MJ Albany Medical Center
• July 9th, 2025
• ada compliance, autism rights, disability law, education, employment, housing, insurance, legal issues, policy, stigma, Summer 2025 Issue
• 1424    0

Over the past 50 years, autism laws and policies have supported the needs and rights of individuals living with autism spectrum disorder. They have protected access to healthcare, education, employment, housing, and community integration. The lives of people with autism have been improved; their...