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In the News

Living with no insurance coverage for autism

Many families in Virginia who expected insurance coverage have continued to pay out of pocket — if they can afford it — or forgo treatments they say could help their children. The General Assembly is taking another look at bills that could offer relief.

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Quentin Tidd, a 5-year-old boy with autism, arrives home after school on a recent Thursday in Reston. The Virginia General Assembly passed a bill last year that would have assured insurance for treatment of autistic children ages 2 to 6. But the measure hit a snag, and legislators must revisit the issue before a law can go into effect.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jennifer Tidd sits with her son, Quentin, after school. Quentin goes to school with other autistic children and visits an analyst for two hours every other week.

Jennifer Tidd sits with her son, Quentin, after school. Quentin goes to school with other autistic children and visits an analyst for two hours every other week.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

On the night before a key vote to affect autistic insurance reform, the Tidd family toasts to 'the passage of autistic insurance reform' at home in Reston. Clockwise from bottom left are Alex Heilner, 20, Lucas Heilner, 16, Jennifer Tidd, Elias Tidd, 2, Don Tidd, and Quentin Tidd, who suffers from autism.

On the night before a key vote to affect autistic insurance reform, the Tidd family toasts to "the passage of autistic insurance reform" at home in Reston. Clockwise from bottom left are Alex Heilner, 20, Lucas Heilner, 16, Jennifer Tidd, Elias Tidd, 2, Don Tidd, and Quentin Tidd, who suffers from autism.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Lucas Heilner, top, removes brother Quentin Tidd from the shoulders of another brother, Alex Heilner, who has Asperger syndrome.

Lucas Heilner, top, removes brother Quentin Tidd from the shoulders of another brother, Alex Heilner, who has Asperger syndrome.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd usually seeks out light. Here, he looks at a lamp as his family eats dinner.

Quentin Tidd usually seeks out light. Here, he looks at a lamp as his family eats dinner.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd stares into a lamp. Now 5, he will soon be too old to qualify for the health insurance coverage that activists are seeking in Virginia..

Quentin Tidd stares into a lamp. Now 5, he will soon be too old to qualify for the health insurance coverage that activists are seeking in Virginia..

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd is scolded by his father, Don, after he pushed his brother Elias, 2. Elias had gotten too close to Quentin's candy. Quentin is unable to speak and gets frustrated easily.

Quentin Tidd is scolded by his father, Don, after he pushed his brother Elias, 2. Elias had gotten too close to Quentin's candy. Quentin is unable to speak and gets frustrated easily.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd searches cabinets in his home. Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) signed a bill into law last spring mandating coverage of autism treatment, but Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) determined that the legislation contained imprecise language that legislators needed to correct.

Quentin Tidd searches cabinets in his home. Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) signed a bill into law last spring mandating coverage of autism treatment, but Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) determined that the legislation contained imprecise language that legislators needed to correct.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Don Tidd comforts his son Quentin.

Don Tidd comforts his son Quentin.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jennifer Tidd asks her insurance provider, in frustration, why her policy won't help pay for her son Quentin’s treatment. Thirty-four states and the District have laws related to autism and insurance, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. At least 29 states require insurance coverage for autism treatment. Others require at least limited coverage.

Jennifer Tidd asks her insurance provider, in frustration, why her policy won't help pay for her son Quentin’s treatment. Thirty-four states and the District have laws related to autism and insurance, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. At least 29 states require insurance coverage for autism treatment. Others require at least limited coverage.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

'I just don't think I should have to be on the phone wrestling with insurance companies' Jennifer Tidd says. 'If you're going to call yourself a health-care provider, you should provide health care.” Families say treatments could help their children learn basic skills such as talking or walking.

"I just don't think I should have to be on the phone wrestling with insurance companies" Jennifer Tidd says. "If you're going to call yourself a health-care provider, you should provide health care.” Families say treatments could help their children learn basic skills such as talking or walking.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Alex Heilner suffers from anxiety.

Alex Heilner suffers from anxiety.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Lucas Heilner stops his brother Quentin from spreading onion debris on the floor at their Reston home.

Lucas Heilner stops his brother Quentin from spreading onion debris on the floor at their Reston home.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jennifer Tidd reads to her son, Quentin.<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140501819?ie=UTF8&tag=washingtonpost-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0140501819'>The Temper Tantrum Book</a>' to her son Quentin. Son Alex is in the background.

Jennifer Tidd reads to her son, Quentin.The Temper Tantrum Book" to her son Quentin. Son Alex is in the background.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd watches the fireplace in his house. Quentin's father says his son's fascination with firelight can be calming but dangerous.

Quentin Tidd watches the fireplace in his house. Quentin's father says his son's fascination with firelight can be calming but dangerous.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd dumps water on his brother Elias after he was told not to during bath time. Autism affects one in 110 children and one in 70 boys, according to national statistics.

Quentin Tidd dumps water on his brother Elias after he was told not to during bath time. Autism affects one in 110 children and one in 70 boys, according to national statistics.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Don Tidd helps his son Quentin in the bathroom.

Don Tidd helps his son Quentin in the bathroom.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jennifer Tidd calms her autistic son, Quentin, by squeezing his feet as her son Elias lies next to him. Northern Virginia has one of the highest autism rates in the country.

Jennifer Tidd calms her autistic son, Quentin, by squeezing his feet as her son Elias lies next to him. Northern Virginia has one of the highest autism rates in the country.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd, 5, tries to get a hand-me-down monkey towel away from his brother, Elias, 2, as Jennifer Tidd dresses the younger son.

Quentin Tidd, 5, tries to get a hand-me-down monkey towel away from his brother, Elias, 2, as Jennifer Tidd dresses the younger son.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd crosses under the arm of his father, Don, at home in Reston.

Quentin Tidd crosses under the arm of his father, Don, at home in Reston.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

After a long day, Jennifer Tidd gets some much-needed alone time with her husband, Don.

After a long day, Jennifer Tidd gets some much-needed alone time with her husband, Don.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jennifer Tidd rests at home after a long day. She first heard about the Virginia law’s problems in November.

Jennifer Tidd rests at home after a long day. She first heard about the Virginia law’s problems in November.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin hesitantly tastes spearmint toothpaste to make sure it’s not peppermint as his father, Don Tidd, helps him brush his teeth.

Quentin hesitantly tastes spearmint toothpaste to make sure it’s not peppermint as his father, Don Tidd, helps him brush his teeth.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Quentin Tidd is coaxed to sleep by his mother, Jennifer, under posters made by students from Quentin's brother's alma mater, South Lakes High School. Virginia does not keep statistics on autism, but the state Department of Education estimates that 11,700 autistic children attend school (many others are too young or not able to attend).

Quentin Tidd is coaxed to sleep by his mother, Jennifer, under posters made by students from Quentin's brother's alma mater, South Lakes High School. Virginia does not keep statistics on autism, but the state Department of Education estimates that 11,700 autistic children attend school (many others are too young or not able to attend).

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jennifer Tidd calms Quentin by squeezing his hands.

Jennifer Tidd calms Quentin by squeezing his hands.

Jahi Chikwendiu / THE WASHINGTON POST

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