Pennsylvania Releases Largest Autism Needs Assessment in the Nation

Pennsylvania’s Public Welfare department recently released the largest statewide autism needs assessment conducted in the country. The study, which surveyed 3,500 caregivers and adults with autism, collected information on (1) service needs, (2) barriers and limitations to accessing services, (3) diagnosis and family impact, (4) employment challenges, and (5) unwanted outcomes, such as police involvement and urgent hospital care.

The study identified social skills training as the most unmet need for both children and adults with autism. It also found more than two-thirds of adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed because they lack the social skills to find or maintain employment.