NEWARK, N.J. (WCBS 880) -- New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez is celebrating the signing of a law that will help people with autism into adulthood and beyond.
New Jersey has the highest autism rate in the country, with one in 34 children on the spectrum.
For children on the spectrum there are a range of services that are guaranteed, but once they enter adulthood they are often left to find their own programs.
That all changes now following the passage of the federal Autism CARES Act.
"For the first time, I'm proud to say, the law directs federal programs to address the needs of Americans with autism across their lifetimes: from cradle to college to career and beyond," said Menendez, who sponsored the bill. "This is about helping and improving the lives of individuals and their families."
Carolyn Hayer's 31-year-old son, Christopher, has autism. When he was younger, Hayer had her son enrolled in autism programs to address his needs, but when he turned 21 she was on her own.
"I had a plan in place and that plan fell apart and within a year he was home with nothing," Hayer said.