The center, which will be directed by Dawson, will certify and train therapists. It also will provide ABA therapy, as well as other services, including school interventions, for children with autism. Therapists themselves are organizing. The Northwest Association for Behavioral Analysis has formed a committee to try to bring a national certification test to Washington. So far, five states, including Florida and California, have certification standards for behavioral therapists.
Certification is critical for increasing insurance coverage.
Currently, many parents can't get insurance to pay for therapy because behavioral intervention doesn't fit into conventional categories of treatment. And it's not a typical therapy model, like speech therapy, where you get an hour a week. Advocates for people with autism are glad to see the increased focus on intervention in a population that can't speak for themselves. But they are treatable and educable.