Loudoun Families Mobilize to Cover Treatment for Autism

Parents of autistic children packed a meeting Monday evening at Lansdowne on the Potomac to rally support for legislation that would ease the disability's financial burden on families.

Appearing at an event billed as the Loudoun County Autism Summit, they spoke about the financial devastation that an illness not covered by insurance can cause. Most families pay about $50,000 a year in therapy costs for autism treatment, speakers said.

"My family has refinanced our home to get our child what he needs," Cindy Davis said.

Davis was one of about 20 parents who spoke in favor of the state bill, which would require health insurers in Virginia to cover services such as speech and behavioral therapy for people younger than 21.

Most of the speakers shared similar stories. After their son's or daughter's autism was diagnosed, they said, they were forced to make difficult financial decisions about what treatments they could afford. Typically, Davis said, parents must choose between paying for treatment that could help address the child's developmental delays and paying other bills.

As of December, 528 autistic students were enrolled in the Loudoun public school system, according to Mary Kearney, the school district's head of special education.

"I'd like to see this bill passed. That's why I'm here tonight," said Beverly Tolbert, whose 8-year-old son is autistic. "There are a lot of kids out there being diagnosed. This is a problem. People need to be aware."

Advocates said the proposed legislation, House Bill 83, would mandate insurance coverage for a program known as applied behavior analysis, which was approved by the surgeon general in 2002 as a way to treat autism.

Although the bill's reach does not extend to all the programs that Davis and other parents said they would like to see covered, it is at least a start, they said.

The summit was organized by the Loudoun County Autism Network and the Loudoun Project.

Legislators who attended, including Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), a sponsor of the bill, supported the parents' goals.

"I'm your coach. I know how to navigate these falls, but we need your help," Marshall told the audience.

If the bill is passed, Virginia will become the fifth state to mandate insurance coverage of medical and social services prescribed for autistic children. Supporters said the bill could provide, on average, about $36,000 in annual coverage per child.

The legislation will be considered by next year's General Assembly.

"Virginia needs to do more for children with autism," said Sen. Mark R. Herring (D-Loudoun), who attended the summit. "From what I've heard tonight, this seems like a reasonable measure. But of course, I will have to look into it."

Marshall said he is optimistic about the bill's chances and thinks that the community of families affected by autism is strong enough and dedicated enough to sustain a grass-roots movement.

"The reason I'm optimistic is that people live this every day," he said.