Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 needs support

June 2, 3:44 PMSpecial Needs Kids ExaminerHeather Sedlock

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Governor Brad Henry

The federal bill The Autism Acceleration Act of 2009 has been making news lately as governors, senators, representatives and other people with clout struggle to get this bill passed. The bill had its start in the Arkansas legislature but did not get passed after failing in the state House of Representatives. Oklahoma had a similar bill which also failed in its state House. You may recall my previous article about this subject and my urging everyone to contact their local governments for support of this bill.

I recently read an opinion piece supporting this bill and the article has stayed with me. The piece appeared in the SouthWest TIMES RECORD, a local publication from Ft. Smith, Arkansas. It stayed with me because it baffles my mind that this bill, with variances in many states, always seems to fail at the House level. What is it that is holding back the House Reps from passing it? Is it the estimated increased of $1.48 a month? Was it the fact that this bill in Arkansas would have cut half of the cost of caring for the 2,500 children diagnosed with autism in this state which could now reach over $7 million in their lifetimes? I mean, it would have only added $18 per year per premium instead… was it that? It was too cost effective to appeal to them?

Governor Brad Henry was quoted in this piece as saying Bill 135, Oklahoma's efforts at increasing available services in this state, signed by him on May 4, is just a "very small step." Indeed, we need bigger steps. Just having the services available so that parents won't have to travel out of state is a huge deal, don't get me wrong. But parents still need a way to help pay for those available services. The ATA Act could help with that.

I am afraid that this bill will lose its bluster when it reaches the federal House of Representatives the same way it has here in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Right now, only 18 states have such coverage for children with autism. 30 more states are trying to get their bills passed. As the opinion piece points out, now would be a great time for the Federal Government to step in! I am not necessarily into big government but this is where it would be appropriate.

How can we deny such coverage as Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy (if it works for these children, decided individually) or assistive speech devices. What about the training initiative on autism that this bill would set up? NATION-WIDE training opportunities for educators, therapists, parents and so forth! Think how much better YOUR child would be if there were more people who understood how to help those individuals with autism. It is time to speak up and let our government know how we feel!

To do just that, visit here to find and write to your representative and let them know we need this bill to pass. For all parents this would be “something to give them hope they can offer their children the best possible chance at a fulfilling life” (Times Record, 2009).