Green Bay, WI: Experts link "increased awareness" and "shortage of providers"
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
April 16, 2026, WBAY, Green Bay, WI: Families face long waits for autism diagnoses as demand grows, providers lag
As more children are identified with autism, families are facing longer waits than ever to get a diagnosis, sometimes months or even years.
Experts say the delays are being driven by increased awareness and a shortage of providers.
“It’s a rapidly evolving field,” said Tiffany Born, a child psychologist with Emplify Health by Bellin. “What we thought of as the spectrum was really different in the past than what it is now, and it continues to evolve over time.”
That broader understanding means more children are being identified — but the system hasn’t kept pace.
“The rate of special needs is growing every single day,” said Lesley Laluzerne, director of Bridge the Gap. “And there’s not enough providers. There’s not enough doctors. There’s not enough programs. And there’s not enough funding.”. .
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