The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is proud to announce the release of a new resource for autistic people and our families on Medicaid coverage for autism-related services. These services can include developmental approaches regarding social communication, sensory integration, emotional regulation, and adaptive skills.
Until now, much advocacy for coverage of “autism interventions” has focused on purely behavioral approaches, like Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). These interventions can be inappropriate or even harmful, and exclusive focus on coverage for behavioral interventions can result in limited access to evidence-based and emerging models that focus on improving relationships, communication skills, and development of skills that are meaningful to individuals’ quality of life.
Fortunately, Medicaid law allows states to cover a wide range of interventions. Moreover, Medicaid beneficiaries under the age of 21 are entitled to coverage for interventions that are necessary to build skills like communication, coordination, emotional regulation and self-care.
ASAN’s new guide to Medicaid coverage explains the evidence base for promising developmental interventions and provides instruction on how to advocate for coverage for these interventions. It is the first of several upcoming publications about health coverage for developmental interventions. You can read the new guide here.
For more information, contact Samantha Crane, scrane@autisticadvocacy.org.
Thanks to generous support from:
