Autism New Jersey Inc

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION - AN ESTABLISHED NONPROFIT SINCE 1965, AUTISM NEW JERSEY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF TACKLING SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS WITH A STATEWIDE, COLLABORATIVE, AND PRAGMATIC APPROACH THAT HAS IMPROVED THE LIVES OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM. OUR OFFICE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT 500 HORIZON DRIVE, SUITE 530, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ IN A LEASED OFFICE BUILDING. THE SCOPE OF THIS CONGRESSIONALLY-DIRECTED PROJECT IS A TWO-PRONGED AND PATIENT-FOCUSED APPROACH TO IMPROVING ACCESS TO AND QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM. PATIENT-SPECIFIC BARRIERS TO CARE INCLUDE 1) DIFFICULTY ACCESSING INFORMATION, AND 2) COMMUNICATION AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES DURING HEALTHCARE INTERACTIONS. FROM MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES, INFORMATION, SUPPORT, AND CONNECTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING THE CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE AND HELPING INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM ACCESS HEALTHCARE. ADDITIONALLY, PEOPLE WITH AUTISM OFTEN LACK THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO PARTICIPATE IN MEDICAL PROCEDURES AND SHOW AN INCREASED LEVEL OF FEAR AND ANXIETY DURING THEM. THIS CAN RESULT IN UNSAFE AVOIDANT BEHAVIORS SUCH AS DISRUPTION, AGGRESSION, AND SELF-INJURY. TO ADDRESS THESE PATIENT-LEVEL BARRIERS, AUTISM NEW JERSEY WILL 1) DISSEMINATE INFORMATION VIA A HEALTHCARE RESOURCE HUB, AND 2) INCREASE INDIVIDUALS’ ABILITY TO TOLERATE AND ENGAGE IN ROUTINE PROCEDURES SUCH AS MEDICAL AND DENTAL EXAMINATIONS AND BLOOD DRAWS.

DESIGNATED HEALTH PROJECTS