CBS News On ABA and Who Covers It

CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, discussing the Federal Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009, S. 819, which, like Oregon's HB 3000, is also considering coverage of applied behavior analysis treatment for children with autism,

"...(ABA) is considered by many to be the "gold standard" in therapy and treatment for children and other disorders, but specifically for autism...[on whether autism should be addressed by schools or medicine] right now autism is diagnosed by physicians, not teachers, so that really puts the onus on the medical community, and therefore, the insurance companies to cover it. I think we're starting to see now people thinking not just with their bankbooks here, but with their hearts, soul--they need to invest in the future of these children, or the costs will be much higher."