There are no local statistics available. Part of the increase is due to better detection of the disorder, according to Grant. But researchers believe there may be other causes behind the big increase, such as environmental factors, she said. There's a significant movement right now on the part of many parents and professionals to get the insurance industry to recognize this is as a significant behavioral health issue. State legislators in Florida tried unsuccessfully last year to pass a law requiring therapeutic coverage for children with autism.
Several states provide coverage for such care through mental health parity laws.
Parents, schools disagree By law, children with autism from ages 2 to 21 are entitled to receive a variety of assistance that can include services like speech and occupational therapy through the educational system at no cost to parents. Parents and school districts sometimes disagree on the amount of services children need, according to Diane Apter, director of the Early Childhood Direction Center in Syracuse. Parents may feel their child needs 30 hours a week of intensive therapy, but the school district may only be willing to provide 15 hours. Dr. Frederick Goldberg, medical director of Univera Healthcare of CNY, said many autism treatments have been trotted out over the years that have no scientific basis. Insurers are hesitant to pay for treatments that may not prove to be effective and may prove to be harmful.