New law gives thousands of dollars to treat autism, related disorders
Thursday, April 17, 2008 (23:14:30)

Posted by lightfoot

by Leigh Munsil

Autism disorders may no longer lead to overwhelming out-of-pocket expenses after the passage of Steven's Law by the state Legislature (Arizona) last week.

Steven's Law requires certain health-care providers, such as disability insurers, to provide coverage to children living with autism disorders up to age 16. The coverage should not exceed $50,000 for children up to age 9 and $25,000 through age 16.

"We know that early intervention is very important [in the care of children with autism spectrum disorders]," said Sen. Amanda Aguirre, D-Yuma, the bill's sponsor.

For the purpose of the legislation, autism spectrum disorders include autistic disorder, Asperger's Syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders, according to a fact sheet for the bill.

Senate Bill 1263, which was signed into law on Friday (21/3/2008), was named Steven's Law after the autistic son of the woman who brought the issue to Aguirre's attention.

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research found that about one in every 150 8-year-old children has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

By not providing health insurance coverage to children with an autism spectrum disorder, those children are being sentenced to life in an institution because they will not be diagnosed or treated early enough, Aguirre said.

"That's not a sentence to give to any child," she said.

By giving health-care coverage to autism spectrum disorders, younger children can enter therapy, and "have a chance to become regular, productive citizens," Aguirre said.

Kathleen McCoy, an associate professor at the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education who has developed autism teaching programs, said Steven's Law is "long past overdue."

"I can tell you story after story after story of parents who have bought services for their children but have been turned away," McCoy said.

When there's no coverage by insurance providers, she said, "you don't have any safety net."

Often one or both parents of autistic children have to sacrifice their careers to stay home with their autistic child, McCoy said.

Insurance companies did not previously cover services such as behavioral therapy, but the therapies are necessary for children with autism spectrum disorders, she said.

Linda Caterino, a clinical associate professor of psychology in education who has done research on autism and Asperger's Syndrome, said medical and psychological services should work together to help children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

Educational and speech therapy, she said, are prescribed by psychologists and psychiatrists for autistic children who haven't been covered by health-care providers in the past.

"They're typically recommended for children in the autism spectrum," Caterino said.

When Steven's Law goes into effect on July 1, 2009, she said it could have positive implications not only for people with autism, but also higher education institutions like ASU.

"It could be that children are getting the help that they need at a younger age," Caterino said. "Maybe by the time they get to the University, they will have a better chance of succeeding."

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