Advocacy and Challenges
Orange County parents, including Christine LyBurtus, highlighted the urgent need for better mental health care, government system clarity, and daily caregiving for autistic youth at a .
Families face tough choices, like LyBurtus who, unable to find sufficient support for her autistic son , relocated him to a state facility after emergency situations.
Systemic Gaps and Solutions
Despite the rise in autism diagnoses, there's a critical shortage of specialized facilities for autistic youth with mental health needs, with only 15 STAR homes in California for crisis stabilization.
Advocates stress the inadequacy of community help before crises, with many mental health workers unprepared or unwilling to assist those with developmental disabilities, exacerbating the problem for families.