2012 State Autism Profiles
FLORIDA
DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2000, 4,473 or 1.22% of children ages 3-21 who received special education services in Florida have autism. In 2010-2011, 19,532 or 5.296% of children with disabilities ages 3-21 who received special education services have autism.
Table 1-1: IDEA Part B - Children with Autism in Florida for 1999-2000 and 2008-2009
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
847 |
2,569 |
| Age 6-11 |
2,426 |
9,974 |
| Age 12-17 |
977 |
5,717 |
| Age 18-21 |
223 |
1,272 |
| Age 6-21 |
3,626 |
16,963 |
| Age 3-21 |
4,473 |
19,532 |
Source: Reported by the State of Florida in accordance with Section 618 of IDEA to U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
Table 1-2: IDEA Part B - Children with Disabilities in Florida for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
30,660 |
36,027 |
| Age 6-11 |
169,052 |
147,669 |
| Age 12-17 |
152,234 |
160,207 |
| Age 18-21 |
15,389 |
24,905 |
| Age 6-21 |
336,675 |
332,781 |
| Age 3-21 |
367,335 |
368,808 |
STATE TASK FORCE
Governor’s Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Under Executive Order 08-36 on March 7, 2008, Governor Charlie Crist established the Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders in order to set a unified agenda to address the needs of individuals with autism. The task force was scheduled to meet until June 30, 2009 and submitted a report to the governor outlining recommendations, legislative accomplishments, and progress. The task force was extended by Executive Order 09-82 on April 1, 2009. The task force is comprised of 18-22 members appointed by the governor, including parents, health care providers, representatives of state and local government agencies, advocates for autism, and other professionals with an interest in autism. Jim DeBeaugrine, interim director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and Dan Marino, formerly with the Miami Dolphins and parent of a child with autism, serve as the co-chairs. The task force submitted its Final Report in March 2009.
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/AlternateSites/HealthyFloridians/autism.html
During the 2011 session, SB 516 and HB 83 were introduced to create the Autism Spectrum Disorder Study Committee to study autism spectrum disorder in families in which English is the second language. The bill required the time limited committee to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature. The bills were referred to committees. The bills were indefinitely postponed and died in committee.
STATE INSURANCE COVERAGE
Governor Charlie Crist signed S.B. 2654 into law on May 20, 2008, which requires health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders. Under the legislation, the “Window of Opportunity Act” allows the Office of Insurance Regulation to convene a workgroup that includes representatives of health insurers, health maintenance organizations and self-insured employers to sign an agreement to increase coverage for medically necessary therapies and behavior analysis and behavioral assistant services for a developmental disorder. A consumer advisory group will also be convened to review and provide comments on the agreement before it is finalized. Also, the section of the legislation known as the “Steven A. Geller Autism Coverage Act” requires coverage for well-baby and well-child screening for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and intervention and treatment for autism spectrum disorder as prescribed in a treatment plan by a doctor. The individual must have a diagnosis for autism at the age of 8 years or younger, and benefits are applied to individuals 18 years or younger or to individuals 18 years or older who are in high school. Coverage for screening and behavioral therapy, including applied behavior is subject to a maximum of $36,000 per year with a $200,000 lifetime maximum.
MEDICAID
Florida Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: FL DD HCBS Tier 2
This waiver, implemented on February 14, 2011, provides services including personal care, residential habilitation, respite, support coordination, supported employment, adult dental, private duty nursing, respiratory therapy, skilled nursing, specialized medical equipment and supplies, specialized mental health services, transportation, adult day training, behavior analysis services, behavior assistant services, companion services, dietitian services, environmental accessibility adaptations, in-home support, residential nursing, special medical home care, speech therapy, and supported living coaching for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or mental retardation, ages three and up. This waiver expires on February 13, 2016.
Florida Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: FL DD HCBS Tier 3
This waiver, implemented on February 14, 2011, provides services including personal care, residential habilitation, respite, support coordination, supported employment, private duty nursing, respiratory therapy, skilled nursing, specialized medical equipment and supplies, specialized mental health services, transportation, adult day training, behavior analysis, dietician services, environmental accessibility adaptations, in-home support, residential nursing, special medical home care, speech therapy, and supported living coaching for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or mental retardation, ages three and up. This waiver expires on February 13, 2016.
Florida Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: FL Family and Supported Living (Tier 4)
This waiver, implemented on October 1, 2008, provides adult day training, respite, support coordination, supported employment, transportation, behavior analysis, a behavior assistant, a community guide, environmental accessibility adaptations, in-home support, PERS, specialized medical equipment and supplies, and supported living coaching for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, and mental retardation, ages three and up. This waiver expires on September 30, 2013.
http://ahca.myflorida.com/Medicaid/hcbs_waivers/index.shtml
EDUCATION
Students with autism are eligible to receive exceptional student education services if there is evidence of an uneven development in language, social, adaptive and/or communication skills; impairment in social interaction with people or the environment (absent, delayed, atypical); impairment in communication skills; restricted repetitive and/or stereotyped patterns of behavior; reference to evidence of onset during the first three years of life has been deleted. The Special Policies & Procedures (SP&P) content must comprise of a comprehensive evaluation of the student that includes a psychological and speech/language assessments, development, and a review of medical information. (Rule 6A-6.03023, FAC)
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Florida Regional Autism Centers
The Florida Statute 48-1004.55 (2007) established seven regional autism centers at a state university under the direction of the Florida Department of Education to provide information, resources and training for individuals with autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Centers must coordinate service delivery with state and local agencies, but does not duplicate those services. An annual report must be submitted to the university president and Department of Education. Additionally, regional autism centers additionally are required to support state agencies in the development of training for early child care providers and educators on children with developmental disabilities.
OTHER STATE RESOURCES
Florida Autism Center of Excellence
In 2006, the Florida Department of Education awarded a $700,000 grant to establish a charter school for a Florida Autism Center of Excellence for students from the ages 3 to 22 years with autism in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Polk, and Manatee counties.
http://www.faceprogram.org/
Screening
H.B. 89 and S.B. 242 were introduced, requiring physicians to refer a minor to an appropriate specialist for the screening of autism spectrum disorders. Both were referred to committee on December 30, 2008. No further action was taken.
H.B. 1431 was introduced on March 8, 2011, requiring physicians to refer a minor to an appropriate specialist for the screening of autism spectrum disorders. It further required that certain insurers and HMOs provide direct patient access to appropriate specialist for screening for or evaluation or diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. H.B. 1431 was referred to Health and Human Services Quality Subcommittee, where it died.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES AND COURTS
On March 23, 2012, U.S. District Court Judge Joan Lenard ordered Florida’s Medicaid program immediately to cover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder, saying that the treatment is medically necessary and is not considered “experimental,” as claimed by the state. The written order was issued on March 26, 2012 and applies to all Medicaid-eligible individuals under the age of 21. About 8,500 Florida children on Medicaid have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and this decision will benefit them and children who are diagnosed in the future. K.G. v. Dudek, 839 F.Supp.2d 1254 (2011)
STATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
The Florida Legislature meets in Regular Session for sixty days. The 2012 Session convened on January 10, 2012 and adjourned on March 9, 2012. The 2013 Session is expected to convene on March 5, 2013 and is expected to adjourn no later than May 4, 2013.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/
SPONSORS OF AUTISM LEGISLATION
Prepared by Easter Seals, Inc.; November 2012.
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