Help! Need legislative info on coverage of EIBI/ABA

[Guest guest]

***please excuse off-topic crosspost; there is a certain amount of urgency for

this request***

Hi all,

I could REALLY use the help of folks who live in states where there is

State DOE support for EIBI/ABA services as the accepted methodology for ASD or

at least reasonable access via IFSP/IEP,

and/or

Universal Health care coverage for ABA services

Some of us in my state are looking for information as to what the statute or

administrative rules are on these matters are in other states. Our goal is to

try and draft/facilitate legislation to simplify the process of obtaining

intensive ABA services (vs. eclectic services) for our early intervention/early

childhood special education kids and to continue these services at some level

into at least the elementary school years.

In addition we are seeking legislative language/law for universal health care

coverage for ABA/behavioral treatment. While a mental health care parity law

was just passed here, many, if not most health plans in my state list

behavioral treatments of autism spectrum disorders as an " excluded treatment " .

Any advice from those " in the know " would be greatly appreciated! Any links

to laws, administrative rules, etc. that reference coverage of ABA services

would be very helpful since we need specific language to either serve as an

example or to frame drafts.

If you were involved in pushing/facilitatinglegislation and have any words of

wisdom about how to approach such a campaign or how to best frame the case, I

would be extremely grateful for your advice.

Please feel free to reply off-list.

THANK YOU in advance!

Regina F.