The Boston Globe (4/13, Teitell) reports that over the next 10 years, some “500,000 young adults with autism will age out of publicly funded day and residential special-education programs nationwide, according to a Drexel University researcher.” According to the Globe, the 22nd birthday “is…a significant milestone for individuals with autism and other disabilities,” and Massachusetts offers “a state program called ‘Turning 22’ that helps families transition into the adult service system.”

Related Links:

— “For parents of autistic kids, 22nd birthday often arrives with dread,” Beth Teitell, Boston Globe, April , 2016.13

HealthDay (4/13, Preidt) reports that a study published April 12 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease reveals that Alzheimer’s disease affects visual perception, particularly the “ability to recognize faces.” What’s more, problems with visual perception appear to occur “in the early stages of the disease.”

Related Links:

— “Alzheimer’s Can Steal Ability to Know Loved Ones’ Faces,” Robert Preidt, HealthDay, April 13, 2016.

Kaiser Health News (4/12, Andrews) addresses reader questions about insurance coverage for mental health. In response to a question about copays for counselor visits, the article explains the consensus was that a plan could not charge a higher copayment than it does for two-thirds of other medical services.

Related Links:

— “Even Under Parity Rules, Plans May Charge Higher Specialty Copays For Counseling,” Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News, April 12, 2016.

HealthDay (4/12, Reinberg) reports that a study recently published in Alcoholism Clinical & Experimental Research found that teenage girls in the US now try alcohol at a younger age than boys. The research found that among 390,000 young Americans aged 12 to 24, more girls tried alcohol as teenagers than boys. After age 19 however, males consumed more alcohol. But, HealthDay reports, “a 2015 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found adult women are catching up to men when it comes to using and abusing alcohol.”

Related Links:

— “Teenage Girls Now Try Alcohol Before Boys Do: Study,” Steven Reinberg, HealthDay, April 12, 2016.

The Oklahoman (4/13) reports Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said at a healthcare journalism conference, “We find that our prisons are filled with people who need help, who need treatment, and aren’t able to get the kind of support and treatment that they need because they were incarcerated instead of being connected to treatment.” The Oklahoman reports that Murthy often travels around the country speaking about the need for the US to do more to help people struggling with addiction and mental illness.

Related Links:

— “Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: ‘Our prisons are filled with people who need help’,” Jaclyn Cosgrove, The Oklahoman, April 11, 2016.