April 2, 2009

Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (S.819)

The Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA) would require that insurance companies provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including Applied Behavioral Analysis and assistive communication devices. In addition, if passed, the bill would do the following:

• Create a demonstration project to develop Autism Care Centers that would provide a full array of medical, behavioral, mental health, educational, and family care services in one location

• Create a demonstration project to provide a full array of services to adults with autism to enable them to live as independently as possible

• Establish a voluntary population-based autism case registry to help understand the root causes, rates, and trends of autism

• Develop a national multimedia campaign to increase public education and awareness about autism and healthy developmental milestones

• Establish an Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee to coordinate government activities relating to autism

• Establish a national autism network to strengthen the link between research and service initiatives at the federal, regional, state, and local levels

• Create a national training initiative on autism and a technical assistance center to develop and expand interdisciplinary training and continuing education on autism