Florida State University expert available to speak on the lesser-known barriers of autism spectrum disorder

The month of April is Autism Acceptance Month, another opportunity to shine a light on the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Valuable medical and clinical research over the years has uncovered important facts about ASD, as one in 36 children are being diagnosed worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One Florida State University professor is taking a different angle in her research that covers the economic hardship, health care access and social welfare policies affecting individuals with autism and their families.

Kristy Anderson, assistant professor at the Florida State University College of Social Work, is an expert in autism and other developmental disabilities. A significant portion of her work explores how autism intersects with systems like Medicaid and child welfare. Data from her research shows high rates of financial strain and caregiver burden that are placed on families with autistic children and adults.

She is currently leading studies using linked Medicaid and child welfare data in Florida to better understand the residential experiences of youth with autism — how and why they enter out-of-home placements, the services they receive and what systemic barriers they face.

Anderson’s work is some of the first to document the unique pathways autistic youth experience through child-serving systems. She also conducts national research on issues like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food insecurity and unmet health care needs.

The goal of Anderson’s extensive work is to ensure that autism research extends beyond clinical settings and informs policies that impact economic security, service access and family well-being.

Media interested in interviewing Anderson on these lesser-known barriers that accompany ASD can reach her by email at ka22v@fsu.edu. 

Kristy Anderson
Assistant Professor, College of Social Work
ka22v@fsu.edu

Autism spectrum disorder has become a focal point in the public consciousness and is now more widely understood. Are there any areas of ASD that you feel aren’t talked about enough?
“One area that remains significantly underdiscussed is the intersection between autism and social welfare. While public awareness of autism has grown, much of the research and dialogue continues to focus on clinical, educational or developmental aspects. We know far less about how financial hardship, social policies and safety net systems impact the everyday lives of autistic individuals and their families. My research has found that families of autistic children and adults often face high rates of financial strain and caregiver burden, with many navigating complex systems like Medicaid, SSI and food assistance with limited support. Food insecurity is emerging as an area of growing concern, yet it receives little focused attention in autism policy and research. As a result, families may struggle not because of the autism diagnosis itself, but because of the lack of coordinated social supports.”

What do you feel are the most notable advancements made in autism research in recent years, and what might be some critical research areas where we are still awaiting more information?
“One of the most significant advancements in autism research and practice has been the expansion of early identification efforts to include historically underrepresented populations, such as children from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, lower-income households, and girls, who have often been overlooked in diagnostic pathways. These efforts have helped shift the demographic makeup of the identified autistic population, leading to a more accurate and inclusive picture of who autism affects.

“As the autistic population becomes more representative of the broader community, we must ask new questions about how to best support subgroups who may face additional barriers. Moving forward, research must focus on understanding how social determinants of health — like poverty, racism and access to public benefits — shape service use, caregiving burden and long-term outcomes. There is still so much we don’t know about how systems like Medicaid, SSI and child welfare interact with autism, especially for families facing economic strain. By studying these intersections, we can design more policies and interventions that improve the lives of autistic individuals and their families.”

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