News & Events

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 children falls somewhere on the autism spectrum.

The fastest-growing developmental disorder in the United States, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is almost five times more common in boys (1 in 42) than girls (1 in 189). Additionally, the CDC estimates it costs at least $17,000 more per year to care for a child with autism, including extra expenditures for healthcare, education and ASD-related therapy.

While there is still no cure for ASD, research has shown early in...

with six-year-old Carl. (Photo:U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Dennis Sloan)

Specialists providing autism care to military families will face a pay cut in the spring, Tricare officials announced Tuesday, as reimbursement rates are reduced by as much as 35 percent for providers in certain locations.

Providers of applied behavior analysis therapy are currently reimbursed at a fixed rate based on education and certification level, regardless of location. Providers with a doctorate or master’s degree are paid an hourly rate of $125, those with a bachelor’s degree, $75; and technicians, $50.

Under the new p...