Parents seeking law requiring coverage for treating autism

A range of child behavior disorders commonly called autism may not be preventable but they are treatable illnesses and insurance companies should be legally required to pay for treatment.

So said a group of parents of children with autism who gathered at the Capitol on Thursday to endorse SB43, legislation that would require private insurance companies to cover medically proven procedures for autism.

Holly Rechis appealed to lawmakers to pass the bill during their upcoming session, saying insurance won't pay the $2,000 per month for therapy "that has had miraculous results"

"We've been cashing out and borrowing our savings to pay for it," Rechis said. "Our insurance wouldn't even pay for autism testing, let alone any treatment."

It also won't pay for surgery for her son's eye condition, saying it might be related to his autistic behavior.

Such exclusions would end under SB43, which sponsors Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, and Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville, have labeled "Clay's Law." It has been endorsed by the illnesses' largest international advocacy group.

SB43 is named after 8-year old Clay Whiffen who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. He received Applied Behavior Analysis as his core treatment — a research-based treatment program that is proven to significantly improve the lives of children with autism. After 2½ years, treatment was phased out completely and his diagnosis was removed.

Leeann Whiffen said her son today succeeds in a regular public school class on his own accord, and is "indistinguishable from his peers".

"Most people think that if you have been diagnosed with autism, you're stuck," said Brittany Recalde, whose daughter Mira is receiving a few hours of in-home therapy a week, nowhere near the 30 to 40 doctors say her child needs.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. surgeon general and the National Academy of Sciences recommend a minimum of 25 hours per week of behavioral therapy for children with autism.

"People's attitudes and insurance companies are the only thing that's stuck," Recalde said. "They think that autism is a behavior and education issue, not the treatable illness it is."

In reality, a diagnosis of autism should be thought of as a stroke, she said. "The sooner you get medical attention and help, the better chance there is for a full recovery."

The savings to Utah taxpayers for each child with autism who is successfully treated is between $1.8 million and $2.7 million, Stephenson said, noting that initial response to the proposed bill from the insurance industry has been positive.

E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com