The New Jersey Autism Registry was established in 2009. The New Jersey Department of Health initially created the registry to develop a better understanding of autism and evaluate the needs of the people diagnosed with it and their families. Without the data the registry provides, we would be unaware that New Jersey likely has the third-highest autism rate in the US. Approximately 1 in 35 8-year-old children in New Jersey have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), compared to the national average of 1 in 44 children. Additionally, New Jersey ASD cases have skyrocketed by around 300% over the past 15 years or so.
The New Jersey Autism Registry
New Jersey is one of a few states in the country that has a statewide registry of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Registry was created to better understand autism or ASD in New Jersey and to link families to available services and supports. Your child’s health care provider will complete the registration, and provide information such as:
- child’s name
- his/her date of birth
- current address
- your name
- your date of birth
- your child’s diagnosis, who diagnosed him/her, and when
Information in the Registry is kept private. You can choose to be in the registry anonymously, but then your family will not be able to be linked to special child health case management services. These county-based, coordinated service providers have many years of experience and knowledge of the local, county, and statewide resources available to families of children with special health care needs.
State law requires licensed health care providers to report any child diagnosed with autism to the Autism Registry. A child has to be:
- A resident of New Jersey
- Under the age of 22
- Have one of these diagnoses:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Autistic Disorder
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
- Asperger’s Disorder/Syndrome
How Can The New Jersey Autism Registry Help the Special Needs Community?
While the New Jersey Autism Registry helps our communities better understand how we can best support the individuals and families ASD affects, it has also led to other beneficial initiatives.
New Jersey’s statewide special needs registry, Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters, allows first responders to provide enhanced care and support during disasters and emergencies.
Several New Jersey counties have launched special needs advocacy initiatives, bolstering the positive impact of this registry. One great example is Gloucester County. Their Blue Envelope Program enables drivers with special needs to put essential documents in a blue envelope that is available for pickup at all Gloucester police departments. The envelope also contains a special needs awareness guide. So, suppose an individual with special needs is pulled over. Then, the police officer is given the blue envelope, enabling the officer to interact better and provide any necessary support to the individual. Local governments throughout the US have adopted the Blue Envelope Program, expanding the reach of this valuable service.