By: Hanna Stock & Bryan Vomacka
A movement for individuals with Autism now has more financial support.
President Donald Trump signed the $1.8 billion Autism CARES Act that helps aid families and children in the autism spectrum after age 21.
The funding backs autism research and autism-related support programs.
According to Rep. Chris Smith, the bill will authorize $1.8 billion over five years in research funding to help children and adults with autism.
“The Autism CARES Act recognizes the problem of aging out and ensures that the federal government continues to help hundreds of thousands of young adults with autism and their parents by funding research and support programs,” Smith said in a statement. “Aging out of services is a hurdle every parent or caretaker of a child with autism inevitably faces.”
In Omaha, Motherboard recycling is one of the many electronic recyclers across the nation who are doing more than just recycling for the environment. Motherboard’s mission is to employ autistic adults and provide affordable computers to nonprofits, low-income families, and persons with disabilities.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. According to the CDC, about one in 59 children has been identified with ASD, and it’s about 4 times more common among boys than girls.
“I wanted to create more jobs here in the community and we connected with another electronic recyclers called Blue Star Recyclers located in Colorado,” said Stephen Toller, owner at Motherboard. “They spearheaded this method of employing persons on the autism spectrum and it’s working very well.”
With Trump signing the Autism CARES Act and companies such as Motherboard, the future for people on the autism spectrum is bright and exciting.
“It gets me up in the morning, and I feel like there’s some good I’m trying to accomplish in the community,” Toller said.
