As a longtime advocate for the use of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) both in school and at home, I was very pleased to read that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) publicly endorsed the use of ABA in the treatment of autism last week.  The effectiveness of ABA has been demonstrated through years of research in both the university and home/school settings.  Pennsylvania was one of the first states to require health insurance plans to provide some level of ABA coverage.

Today, 31 states have implemented similar laws.  Even the federal government now recognizes ABA as a medical therapy.  Unfortunately, military families are currently denied ABA coverage because the Department of Defense (DoD) regards the treatment as educational and not medical.  The children of these families should not be denied this essential service.  Hopefully the AAP endorsement will change the DoD’s position.  Please visit the link below for further information.

ABA coverage article from Autism Speaks