Cathy and Cesar Martinez noticed an abrupt change in their 20-month-old son, Jacob, in 2005.
Within months, he lost all language skills. He would no longer make eye contact with others or respond when his name was called.
He stopped playing.
He spent most of his time sitting in the corner, banging his head against the wall.
When Jacob was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism, his parents immediately began private speech and occupational therapy for Jacob.
"We saw minimal progress, if any, at all, that first year," Cathy Martinez said.
They sought out a local pediatric behavioral psychologist specializing in autism spectrum disorders, who recommended a treatment called Applied Behavioral Analysis, which is based on theories that behaviors can be taught through a system of rewards and consequences.
It would cost $62,000 a year.
"She warned us that insurance will not pay for autism treatment in the state of Nebraska," Martinez said. "We left feeling devastated, that a treatment existed that could help our child, but our insurance refuses to cover it."
On Tuesday, the Legislature's Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee discussed a bill (LB505) that would require insurance companies to pay for autism diagnoses and treatment.
Link:
Bill would require insurers to pay for autism treatment