Trends In Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)
Report to the Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors Human Services
Committee
June 9, 2008
April 2007 Board of
Supervisors
FY-2009 Budget Guidelines, paragraph #6:
“The Board of Supervisors also requests that
Fairfax County Public Schools provide
information on the growing population of
children with autism in County Schools to assist
the County as it plans for future services. The
Board of Supervisors hopes to work closely with
the School system on these issues and add
discussion of them to a future joint
School/County meeting.”
6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
Services Committee
2
Committee Members

Chris Johnston—Fairfax County Public Schools

Ginny Brennan—Fairfax County Public Schools

Ann Long –Fairfax County Public Schools

Matthew Barkley—Disability Services Planning & Development

Bob Eiffert—Long Term Care Coordinating Council Staff

Dennis Brown—Fairfax Falls Church CSB

Doug James—Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services

Woody Witt—FA-DSB & Parent of a son with Autism
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CDC Definition

Autism is one of a group of disorders known as autism
spectrum disorders (ASDs). ASDs are developmental disabilities
that cause substantial impairments in social interaction and
communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and
interests. Many people with ASDs also have unusual ways of
learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations.
The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can
vary—from gifted to severely challenged. An ASD begins before
the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person's life. It occurs in
all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and is four times
more likely to occur in boys than girls.
6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
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Characteristics of Autism






May have difficulty with social interactions
May have difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication
May exhibit repetitive behavior
May experience sensory sensitivities
(e.g., sensitive to touch, noise)
May have difficulty with executive function
(e.g., decision-making, problem-solving)
Wide range in intellectual abilities
6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
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Autism in America
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Autism in Virginia
7000
6000
5000
Students with Autism
eligible for special
education services in
Virginia
4000
3000
2000
1000
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
0
6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
Services Committee
VDOE
7
Autism in Fairfax County
Public Schools
2007
2005
2006
2003
2004
Students with Autism eligible
for special education
services in FCPS
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
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Autism in FCPS
FCPS Autism Prevalence
*2007 Unofficial Data
% of all Students with
Disabilities
10%
8%
5%
6%
4%
3%
3%
6%
7%
4%
2%
0%
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Years
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Autism in FCPS
FCPS Autism Prevalence by Age: 2002-2007*
*2007 Unofficial Data
180
160
Number
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Age
2002
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2003
2004
2005
Services Committee
10
2006
2007*
22+
Autism in FCPS
Autism Services
(from FCPS FY 2009 Proposed Budget, p. 97)
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Proposed
Total K - 22
1307
1444
1475
Level 1 = < 50% Special Ed Time
30%
27%
27%
Level 2 = 50%+ Special Ed Time
70%
73%
73%
6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
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Autism in FCPS: Services
Early Intervention Services



Improves readiness to learn
Transition from Infant/Toddler to Preschool
Preschool PAC, Noncategorical
Instructional Support K-12



Enhanced Autism Services and Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA)
Special education services in neighborhood schools
Inclusive School Resource support
Transition to Post-school

Transition linkages from high school to adult services
6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
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Autism and DRS
Autism Cases DRS 1985-2007
Unduplicated
ASD Cases DRS 1985-2007
300
255
200
200
150
Series1
135
124
100
78
47
50
35
4
5
6
9
19
86
19
87
19
88
19
89
19
90
12
2
20
9
20
42
85
93
50
32
22
10
20
07
20
06
20
05
20
04
20
03
20
02
20
01
20
00
19
99
19
98
19
97
19
96
19
95
19
94
19
93
19
92
19
91
0
19
85
Number of Clients Identified with Autism
250
State Fiscal Year Client Eligible
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Autism and DRS
Demographics of ASD Population
Determined Eligible By DRS
 Majority
 Most
 Mean
were male (85%)
significantly disabled (72%)
age was 21.4 years
6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
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Autism and DRS

Only 1.3% of all current DRS clients
have ASD as a primary or secondary
disability

But… DRS Counselors serving FCPS
show an ASD prevalence rate of 7.3%
on their caseloads

And… average cost to serve ASD clients
within DRS is 82% higher vs. non-ASD
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Autism and the CSB
Co-Occurring Mental Illness and ASD
There are 75 adults with co-occurring diagnoses
Co-Occurring Mental Retardation and ASD
There are 121 adults and children with co-occurring
diagnoses of mental retardation and autism
No Co-occurring Mental Retardation or
Mental Illness and ASD
They are not served by CSB
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Current System Limitations
All Agencies: Diminishing Resources
 Schools: Services Limited to Education
and Age
 DRS: Services Time-limited &
Employment Focused
 CSB: Eligibility Based on Diagnosis
 DSB & LTCCC: Lack of Funding
 State: No Responsible Entity, Funding
or Medicaid Waiver Slots

6-9-2008 Report to BOS Human
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State Legislative Activities
Joint Commission on Health Care
(JCHC) Behavioral Health Care (BHC)
Subcommittee has studied issues since
2006 to determine a “home” for ASD.
 HJR 105 directs the Joint Legislative
Audit and Review Commission (JLARC)
to study ASD with 1st report due
11/30/08.

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Service Needs
Individualized Services to Include:







Employment Supports and Training
Life Skills Support (Marcy Sims)
Opportunities for Socialization
Full-day Services such as Day Support
Affordable and Accessible Health Care
Housing Options
Transportation
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Priorities



Those not eligible for any available
services
Those on waiting lists for services
Those who need long-term
employment support
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Questions?
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