Why investing in autism treatment is seen as crucial for Nevada

By Jackie Valley

Friday, March 6, 2015 | 2 a.m.

The state’s Aging and Disability Services Division will make its pitch for increased autism funding to the Nevada Legislature during a budget hearing Friday morning.

The request dovetails with Gov. Brian Sandoval’s pledge to dramatically boost autism funding, from roughly $1.8 million to $73 million. During his State of the State address in January, Sandoval noted that nearly 6,000 children in Nevada have autism spectrum disorder — a group of developmental disabilities characterized by varying degrees of difficulty in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors.

“We must meet the needs of these children with early diagnosis and treatment and life-changing consequences,” he said.

The Aging and Disability Services Division’s share of that increase would be $28.9 million in the next biennium. Most of the remaining $44.5 million would come from Nevada Medicaid.

Autism advocates say the funding is crucial in a state where services and providers are badly needed. In fact, the Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders released its five-year strategic plan in December and identified “lack of services” as the most significant concern.

“We are very excited” about the proposed funding increase, said Julie Kotchevar, deputy administrator for the Aging and Disability Services Division, which administers the Autism Treatment Assistance Program (ATAP). “We’ve seen the need probably more so than anyone.”

Here’s why advocates think the increased funding is poised to benefit individuals with autism spectrum disorder, their families and the state as a whole:

More autistic children would be able to receive services, including applied behavioral analysis therapy.

Applied behavior analysis therapy, which uses techniques and principles to create positive change in behavior, is widely regarded as a safe and effective treatment for autism, but Medicaid previously didn’t cover it. Now, ABA therapy must be covered by the Medicaid State Plan per a new requirement released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Because of the increase in Medicaid funding, the state expects to reach more autistic children. The Autism Treatment Assistance Program currently serves 520 children, but with the proposed funding, it would serve 2,464 children in the next biennium, Kotchevar said.

“That’s a huge leap,” she said.

ATAP serves autistic children on Medicaid or those with private insurance that doesn’t cover autism treatment. The program helps parents afford copays associated with intervention services.

The funding increase likely wouldn’t totally eliminate wait lists, but it would shorten them and reduce wait time.

The state’s commitment to autism funding could help retract and retain much-needed medical providers.

Providing quality autism services is reliant on having enough medical professionals, such as neuropsychologists, developmental pediatricians, speech therapists and occupational therapists, said Nicole Cavenagh, director of the Touro University Nevada Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.

And right now, Nevada doesn’t. “There is a gross shortage of providers,” she said.

Cavenagh is hopeful, however, that a large funding increase would trigger interest among medical providers and attract them to Nevada.

“We certainly need to be educating and retaining providers in this state and recruiting from other states as well,” Cavenagh said. “And with that, we want to be sure we are recruiting the highest quality providers possible. This is an extremely vulnerable population.”

Expanded autism treatment would help children in the school setting.

Autistic children who receive intervention services often do better in school, both academically and behavior-wise, Kotchevar said.

That’s why advocates say autism funding is a key component of improving the state’s education system: It will lower the burden on schools and improve an autistic child’s educational experience.

“This is a piece of that,” Kotchevar said.

Increasing autism funding now could lead to reduced costs later.

Research has shown that children with autism spectrum disorders fare better later in life if they receive frequent and intense early intervention, Cavenagh said.

Not every child who receives autism treatment will become fully independent, but such services can “really increase their access to employment, education and independence,” Kotchevar said.

In the long run, that translates to reduced costs for society as these children age and become adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 children has autism spectrum disorder.