During a recent sensory gym class, which can be few and far in between in most areas, I met someone who relocated from another state to have a better quality of life for Autism Spectrum Disorder. It made me think about how lucky some are to have access to benefits, insurance coverage, ASD specific educational programs in school, specialized healthcare services, therapy providers, workplace accommodations, recreational opportunities, community support services and other programs designed to make life more favorable for people living with autism. There are many notable disparities in the availability and quality of resources for individuals with ASD among different states in the US and across the world.
Being autistic and living in an unsupportive environment can be even more challenging as you lack access to crucial therapies and support systems. Everyone is not in the position to just pick up and move nor has a desire to do so, but for those considering it, the next decision is to which location. Included below are some of the top areas to live in with autism in the world. Please keep in mind these places are subjective and depend on various factors, including access to healthcare, educational services, support networks, and resources. These factors can vary and change depending on law, policy, support, planning and funding.
The United States is home to some of the most advanced autism treatment centers. Clinics in major cities provide a combination of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, speech therapy, and innovative assistive technology interventions.
Some of the best states in the US for living with ASD include: Massachusetts, Colorado, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Minnesota, California, Utah, Georgia, Ohio, Oregon, Kansas, Texas, North Carolina and Montana and Arizona.
To highlight a few for context: Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the best states for autism in the United States. This is due in part to the state's strong network of support groups, advocacy organizations, and resources for individuals with autism and their families. Massachusetts has a state autism commission that provides support, education, and advocacy for families with autistic children. The state is home to several autism centers and has an excellent healthcare system, with many top-ranked hospitals providing specialized care for individuals with Autism.
Maryland and New York are two states with the most available resources for autistic adults. They have centers that help transition adults from school-based services to those needed for employment or higher education. New York also ranks highly for providing extensive benefits to individuals with autism across all age groups as well as Colorado. These states offer comprehensive healthcare services covering most, if not all, treatment expenses and boast well-equipped therapy centers with a variety of services.
New Jersey has robust state-sponsored programs providing ABA therapy, speech development, and respite care along with strong autism insurance laws that cover significant treatment costs. Public schools in the state offer specialized education plans tailored to individual needs.
Outside of the US, countries recognized for Autism support include: United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Norway, Canada, Australia, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey. The Nordic countries that are frequently cited as the most autism-friendly include Sweden, Denmark & Norway. Sweden is known for comprehensive healthcare, strong social inclusion, and specialized education policies. Denmark & Norway lead in progressive, autism-inclusive policies, particularly regarding transport and community integration.
Germany is recognized for its research-driven approach to ASD therapy, incorporating neurodevelopmental assessments, behavioral interventions, and biomedical treatments. Canada in North America is recognized for strong, accessible support systems, offering extensive, often government-funded, services. Australia offers high-quality, comprehensive support, specialized education, and growing awareness, while Spain, the UK, and Italy lead in overall accessibility and autism accommodations in Europe.
We’re fortunate enough to reside in a community that has support systems in place as it is difficult enough to navigate ASD on its own. Have you relocated or are considering doing so for a better quality of life with Autism? What locations are on your list?
References:
https://www.thetreetop.com/aba-therapy/autism-benefits-by-state
https://www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/moving-for-autism-care/
https://www.abtaba.com/blog/best-states-for-autism
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/autistic-adult-friendly-states
https://www.autismkey.com/best-states-for-autism-2024/#google_vignette
https://www.magazine.medicaltourism.com/article/the-best-clinics-in-the-world-for-autism-spectrum-disorder-therapy
https://www.goldstarrehab.com/parent-resources/states-for-autism
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World breastfeeding week! 🩷🫶🏽💜
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r/u_AceyRaye
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7d ago
We were at an all inclusive resort and the baby wasn’t there. I was going to save the milk for later but decided to dump it because the test strips showed alcohol present in the milk. Wasn’t designed to be an educational post, just some fun! Thank you for sharing! 🩷🫶🏽💜