WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Families with autistic children want ABA therapy to be covered by insurance

Families with autistic children want ABA therapy to be covered by insurance

(National-NBC) Feb. 22, 2005 - Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate, form relationships, and interact with people around them.

And, according to new numbers from the Center for Disease Control, autism is now the fastest growing developmental disorder.

There is no cure for autism but some say one of the most promising therapies is Applied Behavior Analysis, which breaks down learning into very simple steps.

ABA therapy costs over $5000 per month, and in most cases it's not covered by health insurance. A trade organization representing mental health insurance providers said its member companies have reviewed ABA treatments and determined they have not yet been proven to be effective.

Even so, some families with autistic children are now joining together trying to get ABA therapy covered by insurance companies.

posted 9:36am by Chris Rees