ABSI meets with California attorney general on autism access

By AI, Created 8:41 PM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – Autism Behavior Services, Inc. said its leaders recently met with California Attorney General Rob Bonta at Dodger Stadium to discuss expanding autism services statewide. The conversation focused on waitlists, provider shortages and safeguards for families seeking ABA and early intervention care.

Why it matters: - California families facing autism-related care gaps are dealing with long waitlists, uneven provider access and delays in early intervention. - The meeting put state leadership and a service provider in the same room to discuss how to expand access to evidence-based autism services across the state. - ABSI said background checks for people working with the autism community are a critical safeguard for vulnerable children and adults.

What happened: - Autism Behavior Services, Inc. said Claire, its director of human resources, and Eric Linder, its government relations representative, recently met with California Attorney General Rob Bonta at Dodger Stadium. - The discussion focused on expanding access to autism services for neurodiverse people across California. - Claire oversees outreach and recruitment for ABSI and is a behavior analyst with a background in education and Applied Behavior Analysis. - Eric Linder is a retired California Assemblyman.

The details: - The conversation covered growing demand for ABA services, early intervention programs and more equitable care options for families statewide. - Claire and Eric discussed long waitlists and limited provider availability in underserved regions. - They also raised the need for continued advocacy and support systems so children and adults on the autism spectrum can receive timely and effective care. - ABSI emphasized the importance of thorough background checks for all employees serving the autism community. - Claire said the conversation with Bonta was encouraging and impactful, and that California can keep working toward solutions that improve access to high-quality autism services. - Eric said collaboration between service providers and state leadership can strengthen systems of care and improve service accessibility. - ABSI said Bonta has long supported the disability community and thanked him for continuing that focus in statewide office.

Between the lines: - The meeting signals that autism service access remains a policy and workforce issue, not just a clinical one. - By emphasizing provider shortages and background checks together, ABSI tied expansion goals to trust and safety concerns. - The outreach also suggests providers are pushing for state-level attention as demand for ABA and related services outpaces supply in some regions.

What’s next: - ABSI said it will continue advocating for families, inclusive policies and expanded access to ethical, evidence-based autism services in California. - The organization said it will keep working through community partnership to support individuals with autism and other developmental needs. - ABSI said its broader mission is to help children, adolescents and adults build skills, increase independence and receive compassionate care.

The bottom line: - ABSI is pressing California leaders to treat autism service access as an urgent statewide need, with more providers, faster care and stronger safeguards for families.