By Vince LaMarca, M.A., BCBA, Editor
Lovaas Institute - Indianapolis

I read with interest the article from the Associated Press concerning autism and insurance laws http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iT3S7GDQdN8H8DfSkpTf58lqVCKAD93U0F7O0

As a behavior analyst for the Lovaas Institute in Indianapolis for the past 9 years, I have seen behavior therapy move from a treatment (prior to the insurance mandate of 2001) that I typically provided to families of doctors, lawyers, and businessmen, to a treatment that I now provide to a variety of families including teachers, retail store employees, and police officers. 
 
Let’s be clear. The autism mandate has allowed the most effective treatment for children with autism to become accessible to families at all income levels.

Note: Recently, Dr. Tristram Smith was misquoted in a MSNBC article by the Associated Press (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27276558/). We have reposted his response to this article below:


The article, “Parents Press States for Autism Insurance Laws,” quotes me as saying that the evidence for applied behavior analysis (ABA) after the age of 6 or 7 years is “sparse.” Actually, I said there are many studies showing that ABA is effective for children for autism at all ages. Toddlers and preschoolers benefit the most, and the intensity of ABA intervention should diminish as children progress and enter school. However, studies show that ABA is still valuable for older children and adolescents. For example, it can be used to design specialized classrooms, support inclusion in other educational settings, and address particular areas of need such as social skills. These services are vital to children with autism and their families, and they deserve our support.

Tristram Smith PhD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
University of Rochester Medical Center