DES MOINES, Iowa - Sidney Trees didn't realize he was involved in a multimillion-dollar push to help Iowa children with autism.
All the 8-year-old knew was that a woman had turned her face away when he started chattering at her about a toy train set.
The woman, Clive therapist Kara Jorgensen, was trying to correct the fidgety boy's habit of spewing out his thoughts without starting a conversation properly. When she turned away, he hesitated, looking perplexed. Then she tapped her own shoulder and made a suggestion.
"Say, 'Hey, Kara,' " she instructed, still looking away. Sidney understood immediately and did just that.
After swinging back to face him and smiling, Jorgensen rewarded Sidney by listening enthusiastically and playing trains with him.
The simple interaction - cheerful reinforcement of a seemingly normal behavior - is significant for families of autistic children like Sidney. The method, known as Applied Behavior Analysis, has shown such promise that Iowa is pouring nearly $5 million into it.
The money, approved by the legislature in 2013, started becoming available this past April. Five families are enrolled so far, but that number is expected to jump.
Autism is believed to affect more than 1 percent of American children. In severe cases, children lack any speech ability and have frequent, physical outbursts. In less severe cases, children may speak well but have difficulty interacting with other people. Most experts believe the main causes for the developmental disability are genetic, although environmental factors could play a role.
Applied Behavior Analysis participants spend hours with therapists, who encourage any progress in speech and social skills and ignore disruptive behaviors unless they become dangerous. Over months or years, proponents say, most students increase their ability to function well in school, make friends and eventually work at regular jobs.
Most private insurance plans are reluctant to cover the therapy, which can cost more then $30,000 per year. Iowa's Medicaid program has long covered it for disadvantaged children or those with severe intellectual disabilities. But until recently, the state offered no help for middle-class autistic children with average intelligence.
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Iowa puts $5 million into autism program