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Accolade Autism Family Advocacy

Supporting families through every stage of the autism journey

Expert guidance for employees and their families

Families navigating an autism diagnosis often encounter lengthy wait times, complex healthcare systems, financial challenges, and limited access to resources. Accolade's Autism Family Advocacy solution offers compassionate, expert support to help individuals with autism of any age and their families access the care they need, connect with the right providers, and find financial assistance — all at no additional cost to employees.

  • Seamless integration with existing Accolade benefits
  • Access to industry-leading autism care experts
  • Scalable support across all stages (and ages) of the autism journey

Empowering families, supporting employers

With one in 36 children in the U.S. diagnosed with autism, * employees are often balancing their careers with the challenges of caregiving. Autism care demands significant time, energy, and financial resources, impacting productivity, job retention, and mental health. 

 

Our Autism Family Advocacy program relieves families' burdens by providing a direct connection to a dedicated autism care team, expert guidance, and streamlined access to essential care services. 

The autism challenge for families

Families with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may face overwhelming obstacles:

  • Long wait times for therapy and treatment support 
  • A complex healthcare system that is difficult to navigate 
  • Financial strain, with an average annual cost of $40,000–$60,000** 
  • Limited local and national resources make it hard to find appropriate care 
  • Emotional stress and caregiver burnout, affecting overall well-being 

 

These challenges often force parents and caregivers to reduce work hours or leave their jobs, impacting their financial stability and employer productivity. 

Accolade’s solution: Autism Family Advocacy

Our program provides personalized navigation, provider coordination, and financial assistance to ensure families receive the right care at the right time. 

 

 

What we offer

Personalized navigation support

A dedicated autism team to guide families through every step Comprehensive care planning, including early screenings and intervention Provider coordination and scheduling to reduce wait times Ongoing check-ins and emotional support for caregivers Lifetime support, including specialized guidance for post-high school transitions in career, education, and independent living

Financial and government assistance guidance

Navigating Medicaid and insurance coverage to reduce out-of-pocket costs Identifying grants, financial aid, and state resources Finding cost-effective solutions for therapies, assistive devices, and long-term care

Access to leading autism experts

Connections to top behavioral health specialists and therapists Help manage co-occurring conditions such as ADHD and anxiety Support for school accommodations, including IEP and 504 plans

How it works

Post-diagnosis and treatment support

Early-stage support and resources

  • Emotional and informational support to help families understand the process 
  • Connecting with top providers for ABA therapy, speech therapy, and medical care 
  • Parent education and caregiver training 
  • Help manage co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and learning disabilities
Long-term care and transition planning

Lifelong support and transitions

  • School and workplace accommodations to ensure long-term success 
  • Independent living and vocational planning for teens and adults 
  • Community engagement and peer support to reduce isolation 

Real impact, real stories

Members

“My Autism Advocate was so kind, patient, and full of information. I cannot thank her enough. I’m grateful to have someone in our lives to help us navigate the world of autism. As a mom who felt kind of like I was starting to sink - Accolade put a life raft around me, and I feel so much better knowing that I have her in my corner.” 

 

- Accolade Autism Family Advocacy Member 

Medical Doctors card

“Kerry has been our Autism Advocate for over a year and has not once missed any of my calls or messages. Today, I felt a little more anxious and stressed than usual about my daughter, and my gut told me to call  Kerry for advice. Sure enough, right after speaking with her, I was given peace of mind. She is always willing to go out of her way to help in any way she can. Having  Kerry in our lives has done wonders for our whole family.”

 

— Accolade Autism Family Advocacy Member 

Sources: 
* Maenner MJ, Warren Z, Williams AR, et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2020. MMWR Surveill Summ 2023;72(No. SS-2):1–14. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7202a1 

** Autism Speaks. (n.d.). Financial resources for autism help. Autism Speaks. https://www.autismspeaks.org/financial-resources-autism-help#:~:text=The%20lifetime%20cost%20for%20a,person%20has%20an%20intellectual%20disability.&text=According%20to%20the%20CDC%2C%20in,%2460%2C000%20per%20child%20per%20year 

Let’s simplify the autism journey

Help your employees and their families reduce stress, access top-tier care, and focus on what matters most. Connect with Accolade today to learn how we can provide life-changing support for your workforce.

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