Hillary Clinton made political history last week by proposing a plan to ramp up autism research and services as part of her presidential bid.

Previous campaign discussions about autism have hyped fears of an autism epidemic or even resurrected the long-debunked vaccine link. By contrast, Clinton’s plan emphasizes research and services that may help those in need.

Clinton’s proposal backs the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation that young children be routinely screened for autism, rejecting the stance of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of medical experts, that there is insufficient evidence to support routine screening. If elected, she promises to launch a national outreach campaign to boost early screening rates, focusing on families that are traditionally underserved by healthcare.

Clinton also proposed a so-called ‘Autism Works Initiative’ to increase employment and housing opportunities for adults with autism. The initiative would help develop transition plans for teenagers with autism as they prepare to leave the structured supports of the school system. It would also foster public-private partnerships to establish meaningful work opportunities for adults with autism.

In addition, Clinton stated her commitment to “significantly increase” research funding for autism. The proposal specifically mentions efforts to uncover autism’s complex genetic roots and calls for the first ever U.S. prevalence study of adults with autism.

Below, autism researchers and advocates weigh in on the details of the plan and the significance of a presidential candidate addressing the needs of people with autism.

The post Scientists, advocates hail Hillary Clinton’s autism plan appeared first on Spectrum.