Autism and Local Policy Networks: A Study of Virginia Communities.

In 2015 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to be approximately 1 in 45 children. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommend early interventions for children beginning as early as infant/toddler age. In addition to services from health care providers, many of these children may ultimately become eligible for special education services and individualized education plans under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The apparent increase in the prevalence of autism, its presence in multiple policy subsystems, and the specialized educational assistance local education agencies (LEAS) are required to provide for these children create a unique public policy challenge for many local governments. How do they respond to this challenge? Do they form or participate in policy networks with a diverse group of interested stakeholders in order to better address the needs of those with autism in the community? To answer these questions, in May 2015 an online survey was distributed to various governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders in three Virginia localities: Charlottesville, Richmond, and Roanoke. Respondents were asked to identify organizations and stakeholders with whom they collaborate, across multiple measures, to meet the needs of children with ASD. The findings suggest that collaborative efforts occur, mainly driven by a need for autism-related expertise, in local policy networks in which different non-profit organizations in each locality serve as intermediaries that bridge disparate stakeholders. The results have implications for the implementation of education- and health-related policy at the local level, as well as provide insights into the problems of collective action on a rapidly changing policy issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]