The recent coverage for treatment for autism is a good first step, but it is sorely lacking in its depth ("The long wait for autism therapy; Insurers are scrambling to aid families in Michigan," Feb. 17).
The only psychological treatment authorized by the recent law is for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). As the article pointed out, there are very few ABA providers. ABA treatment is not appropriate for all children with autism, and there are many good programs to assist these children -- for a lot less money.
Other appropriate treatments were intentionally left out of the law and are not covered. As only Children's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital have the most ABA therapists, I can only conclude that this was no accident.
For most children with autism, where ABA may be appropriate, ABA treatment generally tops out at age 7 or 8. Very few children will be able to access any treatment under the current legislation. For children on Medicare, it will top out at age 6.
There is a tidal wave of children on the spectrum who are approaching their teens and young adult years who have no coverage, no treatment, and who will be putting further strain on an already overburdened mental health system.
Thomas A. Brown
Director, Autism & Behavioral Support Center Auburn Hills
Although the article on autism correctly described the bottleneck many families face in seeking care for autism, there was an important piece missing. The law itself, combined with implementation models developed by insurers, is responsible for the bottleneck. It is not an unfortunate inevitability, as implied in the article.
Highly experienced licensed physicians and psychologists must see newly identified children in autism centers, rather than in their private offices. If you want to create a bottleneck, this is how to do it.
ABA therapists, though highly valuable, are not the only providers of scientifically validated treatments for autism, yet the law limits families' choice to that specific type of treatment. If you want to create a bottleneck, limit treatment options to ABA.