Introduction to the Issue
A young boy with autism receives personalized care from a health worker. Families across New York are voicing concerns over proposed state budget cuts to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy—vital services they say help children make meaningful progress and stay safe.
The Proposed Budget Cuts
As state budget talks continue past the April 1 deadline and National Autism Acceptance Month begins, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres is sounding the alarm over potential cuts to state Medicaid-funded autism services, arguing that the neediest children could miss out on life-changing care. In a March 30 letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, he blasted the proposed $28.6 million in cuts to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services over two years, amid a $15 million increase in the overall budget.
The Impact of the Proposed Cuts
The proposed cuts would reduce reimbursement rates for lower-level behavioral health staffers known as Registered Behavior Technicians from $70 per hour to $38 per hour — the lowest in the country — which Torres said would drive them out of the profession and shut down existing services. “It would transform ABA therapy from a right to a privilege, reserved only for those who can afford it,” he said.
Local Families’ Concerns
Local families who have children with autism are deeply concerned about the proposed cuts. Timmia Solano lives in the Bronx with her four-year-old son Cory, who was diagnosed with autism when he was less than two years old. He did not talk, had trouble focusing and sitting still and had sensory challenges that made him engage in “stimming,” or repetitive, uncontrollable movements such as hand-flapping.
The Benefits of ABA Therapy
Cory attends an autism center in Westchester County and has made significant progress over the past two years, Solano told the Bronx Times. He goes there daily from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. for intensive instruction to improve his communication skills. Cory now knows the alphabet, colors and numbers and can spell his name. Staff also taught him to use an electronic device that allows him to express full sentences to indicate when he’s hungry, has to use the restroom and other critical needs. “It’s helped him tremendously,” said Solano.
The Importance of Medicaid-Funded ABA Services
Mavis Burton of Jamaica, Queens, who helps care for her three-year-old grandson, told the Bronx Times that Medicaid-funded ABA services literally help keep the child alive. Her grandson cannot speak and is known to escape through any available door. His hand needs to be held constantly, or he will go running into the street, said Burton. “He’s a danger to himself and others.” The boy’s day runs from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. as he attends Birch Family Services, a school for children with autism, a few hours of daycare plus a three-hour ABA program — and he’s still hyper at the end of the day, Burton said.
The Consequences of Cutting Services
If services were cut, Burton said her daughter, a single mom, would likely have to leave her job, putting more strain on the family and local economy. Both families say they cannot afford to pay out of pocket for the high-quality programs they’re currently using. Medicaid currently covers all their costs, but it only began covering these kinds of services in 2021 and implementation delays stalled families’ access until 2023. New York was the last state to roll out Medicaid funding for ABA services, Torres said.
Conclusion
Without these programs, Torres argued in the letter that many children with autism are more likely to end up “cycling through the revolving doors of the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system, and the criminal justice system,” at a tremendous social and economic cost to society. “Simply put, ABA is not a cost but a cost-savings,” Torres said. “Defunding ABA, as you are proposing to do, will exact a hidden cost on the taxpayers of New York State.”
FAQs
Q: What is ABA therapy and how does it help children with autism?
A: ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy is a type of therapy that helps children with autism improve their communication skills, reduce problem behaviors, and increase their ability to interact with others. It has been shown to be highly effective in helping children with autism make significant progress and improve their quality of life.
Q: Why are the proposed budget cuts to ABA services a concern for families?
A: The proposed budget cuts would reduce reimbursement rates for ABA services, which could drive therapists out of the profession and shut down existing services. This would leave many children with autism without access to the therapy they need, and could have serious consequences for their development and well-being.
Q: How do Medicaid-funded ABA services help families?
A: Medicaid-funded ABA services provide families with access to high-quality therapy that they may not be able to afford otherwise. These services are especially important for low-income families who may not have the resources to pay for private therapy.
Q: What would happen if ABA services were cut?
A: If ABA services were cut, many children with autism would be left without access to the therapy they need. This could lead to an increase in problem behaviors, a decrease in communication skills, and a lower quality of life for these children. It could also have serious consequences for their families, who may have to leave their jobs or make other sacrifices to care for their children.
