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State agency releases first part of report on autism in Tennessee
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The Offices of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) released the first in a series of reports on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) Thursday. Operating under the Comptroller of the Treasury, OREA is in its 15th year of providing policy research and analysis on topics ranging from education to health care to criminal justice.
Compiled in response to legislative inquiry, "Autism in Tennessee: Part 1 - An Introduction to the Issues and Data Collection Methods," includes an overview of the disability, a review of related laws, and information on data collection and estimates of prevalence. Subsequent reports will delve into public education and health care services related to autism in Tennessee.
Part 1 of the report was written by Joseph Woodson, Associate Legislative Research Analyst for OREA. In researching data for the report, Woodson found the number of students receiving autism-related special education services more than tripled between 2001 and 2007. However, the statistics do not reflect the cause for this change. It could be the result of increased prevalence, but it could also indicate more frequent identification and diagnosis of ASDs.
In Tennessee, no single agency collects data related to autism from across the state. At least six separate state agencies provide services for autism and, at the regional, district and community level, countless organizations, including non-profits and advocacy groups are involved in providing resources and services for autism. This diversity makes it difficult to compile accurate information on who is receiving services, what types of services they receive and where the services are delivered.
"One way to capture an accurate snapshot of autism in Tennessee would be to authorize a state-level entity to access all available records and data from various sources," Woodson said. "Right now Tennessee does not have a method for doing so."
The Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD, launched a national autism registry in 2006. Some states, such as New Jersey and New Hampshire, have followed suit. Creation of an ASD registry in Tennessee would facilitate evaluation of statewide capacity to provide early identification and intervention for autism. The cost to develop and maintain such a registry would require study. Existing statewide registries have annual budgets ranging from $82,600 to $978,600. One possible funding mechanism would be federal grants for autism data collection and analysis.
"Comprehensive and accurate data could assist our lawmakers with making informed autism-related policy decisions, help identify funding needs and help connect Tennessee's families with the most appropriate services," said Tennessee Comptroller Justin P. Wilson.
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