Autism Care

A toxicology journal has retracted a 2010 study that claimed male newborns vaccinated against hepatitis B in their first month of life had threefold greater odds of an autism diagnosis than those vaccinated later or not at all. In a…

A communication method that remains controversial among researchers is gaining visibility in federal autism policy discussions after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed advocates of assisted spelling to a federal autism panel, KFF reported June 8.  Assisted spelling is…

Medicaid spending on autism therapy nearly tripled nationwide between 2020 and 2024, and North Carolina projects spending to rise from $121 million in 2022 to more than $1 billion next year, according to a The New York Times investigation published…

One-fourth of children treated at autism therapy clinics spend nearly eight hours a day in therapy, according to a recent investigation by The New York Times.  Here are five things to know:

The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment at the University of Missouri opened a $54.8 million, 74,000-square-foot facility at the MU Health Care South Providence Medical Park in Columbia.  Clinical operations at the center began in March, according to a…

As autism diagnoses rise and Medicaid and commercial payers face growing cost pressures, some providers are pushing for broader therapy options beyond applied behavior analysis, which has historically been the principal therapy option offered.  McLean, Va.-based Positive Development President Chad…

Baltimore-based Steps Behavioral Health has expanded its in-home applied behavior analysis therapy services in Colorado.  The expansion aims to improve access to autism therapy, early intervention programs and behavioral support for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to an…

Lebanon, Ind.-based Piece by Piece Autism will shut down by May 15 after Indiana officials said they would bar the provider from billing Medicaid, The Wall Street Journal reported April 1.  The state informed the company it would be cut…

As autism diagnoses climb and costs and utilization rise, many payers are tightening utilization management. Maryland Heights, Mo.-based Magellan Health’s Autism Connections — developed in 2009 amid expanding state autism coverage mandates — has taken a different route, emphasizing clinical…

Temecula, Calif.-based Comprehensive Autism Center will close two locations and lay off a total of 62 employees, according to a WARN notice filed March 25.  The closures affect sites in Riverside and San Diego counties, effective May 31. The organization…