Medical providers urged to adopt statewide training and standards for autism and IDD care

A broad coalition of parents, medical students, hospitals and disability advocates told the Joint Committee they support legislation to require continuing education and statewide standards for clinicians treating people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mara Sullivan, CEO of The Arc of Massachusetts and a parent of two sons with autism, said too few clinicians feel competent to treat these patients: “A recent survey found that 60 percent of doctors do not feel competent to treat patients with autism or IDD,” she said.

Medical staff from Boston Children's Hospital described patients who remain admitted “months” after they are medically ready for discharge because no community placement will accept complex care needs. Ryan O'Connor, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Boston Children's, told the committee about a 13‑year‑old with autism who spent more than a year in hospital stays over 18 months because outpatient placements could not meet his combined medical and developmental needs. “When patients wait in the medical hospital for post‑acute care, they miss out on critical therapeutic interventions, peer interactions, educational programs and skill building,” O'Connor said.

Parents and advocates gave first‑hand accounts of traumatic encounters in emergency rooms and outpatient clinics and described how lack of provider training can force families into repeated emergency visits or anesthesia for routine procedures such as blood draws or dental care. Representative Garberly and others stressed the bill's focus on emergency department “boarding,” on continuing education requirements, and on standards intended to make routine services—dental, primary care, specialty care—accessible. Supporters said the proposal was developed with hospitals and associations and urged a favorable report to reduce preventable harm and improve continuity of care.