A23 - What the Erosion of Autism Services Means for Those Serving Individuals with Chronic Health Needs

Monday, May 1, 2023

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Location: 503, Level 2, LACC

None of the planners/faculty, unless otherwise noted, for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Relias, LLC and National Council for Mental Wellbeing guarantee this educational conference is free from bias.

Workshop Presenter(s)

Richard S. Edley, PhD

President/CEO
Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Amy S.F Lutz, PhD (she/her/hers)

Senior Lecturer
University of Pennsylvania
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Slides

The continuum of care is under attack from both well-intentioned disability activists and cost-conscious policymakers. Using autism services and supports in Pennsylvania as a launching pad and case study, we will discuss the erosion of services, particularly for those with acute behavioral and medical challenges. This is not just an autism story. Ultimately, similar issues impact families, providers and clinical/medical professionals supporting people with chronic psychiatric disorders, intellectual disability, addiction and dementia. Let’s start the cross-disability conversations that need to happen to change the long-term care landscape.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the factors that have contributed to the dismantling of the continuum of care.
Recognize the consequences of this erosion of services for individuals, their families and providers.
Evaluate the need for cross-disability advocacy to advance long-term care needs for diverse populations.