Treatment for Autism Difficult to Find

Many families in the United States face challenges finding appropriate treatment for a child with ASD. Recently a news station in Indiana featured a parent struggling to find Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for her son and an interview with Hannah Penry, Clinical Director at the Harsha Autism Center. ABA is considered an evidence-based best practice treatment for individuals with ASD and is endorsed by the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Surgeon General.

Penry stated that there are fewer providers in the local area who are qualified to care for children with ASD. ABA therapists are in short supply as the number of children and adults diagnosed with ASD has increased over the past several years. The CDC reports that in 2018, an average of 1 in every 44 eight-year-old children are estimated to have ASD. ASD occurs in all racial and ethnic groups, and is more prevalent among boys. 

Those who enter the field of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy usually obtain an advanced degree with a great deal of training in special education. Penry noted that the Harsha Autism Center has increased wages to $19/hour to encourage more people to enter the field. Harsha also pays for providers to get extra training, and is partnering with different state coalitions to spread awareness to state officials regarding the need for ASD services.

The Director of Harsha, Mel Kirchner, warned that there is a high demand for autism treatment, and the recent talk in Congress about cutting Medicaid rates would drastically impact services for families that already face challenges getting the help they need.