2012 State Autism Profiles
KANSAS
DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2000, 710 or 1.16% of children ages 3-21 who received special education services i nKansas have autism. In 2010-2011, 2,624 or 3.92% of children with disabilities ages 3-21 who received special education services have autism.
Table 1-1: IDEA Part B - Children with Autism in Kansas for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
87 |
292 |
| Age 6-11 |
424 |
1,186 |
| Age 12-17 |
169 |
952 |
| Age 18-21 |
30 |
194 |
| Age 6-21 |
623 |
2,332 |
| Age 3-21 |
710 |
2,624 |
Source: Reported by the State of Kansas 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 Kansas for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
7,728 |
10,604 |
| Age 6-11 |
25,892 |
28,122 |
| Age 12-17 |
24,910 |
25,117 |
| Age 18-21 |
2,737 |
3,030 |
| Age 6-21 |
53,539 |
56,269 |
| Age 3-21 |
61,267 |
66,873 |
STATE TASK FORCE
Kansas Autism Task Force
On May 11, 2007, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed into law S.B. 138, which created a task force to study and evaluate the needs of individuals with autism, such as benefits, financial assistance, and the availability or accessibility of services. The Kansas Autism Task Force reports to the Legislative Education Planning Committee, and is required to prepare a preliminary report by November 15, 2007 and a final report on November 15, 2008. The task force is comprised of 24 members, including legislative members, parents, health care providers, educators, and other professionals with an interest in autism spectrum disorders. The preliminary report includes goals, challenges and proposed recommendations, including expanding the number of children served under the autism waiver and a health insurance mandate for autism. Legislation was introduced in 2009 to re-establish the task force. The legislation was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee but no further action was taken. A copy of the Task Force’s 2008 Report to the 2009 Legislature is available at: http://www.skyways.org/ksleg/KLRD/2008CommRepts/autism-cr.pdf
STATE INSURANCE COVERAGE
Upon request by the Kansas Autism Task Force, the Legislative Education Planning Committee introduced S.B. 12 on January 13, 2009 requiring health insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders as prescribed in a treatment plan determined by a health care provider. S.B. 12 originally provided treatment including habilitative or rehabilitative care, pharmacy care, psychiatric or psychological care, and therapeutic care. For group plans with 50 or more employees, applied behavioral analysis (ABA) was covered to a maximum of $75,000 per year through age 21. Group plans with less than 50 employees had the option to exclude coverage forABA. The bill was re-referred to the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee on February 18, 2009. On March 5, 2009, the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs introduced a similar bill, HB 2367, or “Kate’s Law.” The 2009 legislative session ended without passage of “Kate’s law”.
On March 16, 2010, a compromise bill was introduced as H.B. 2160. Because Kansas law requires that any health insurance mandate first apply only to state employees in the state employee health plan for at least one year in order to assess cost and utilization of the service, the insurance coverage for autism services first will be such a “pilot project.” The benefits of H.B. 2160 apply only to members of the Kansas State Employees Health Plan (SEHP) who are less than 19 years of age. Covered services include diagnostic evaluation, Applied Behavior Analysis and any treatment “prescribed or ordered by a licensed physician, licensed psychologist or licensed specialist clinical social worker.” Approved treatments must be “recognized by peer reviewed literature as providing medical benefit to the patient based upon the patient’s particular autism spectrum disorder.” The legislature will determine at a later date if the mandate should be expanded beyond the pilot project. HB 2160 passed the full Senate and House, and on April 19, 2010 Governor Parkinson signed the bill into law.
On March 7, 2011, S.B. 226 and H.B. 2216 were introduced to require health plans to provide coverage for anyone diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, thus expanding the pilot project statewide. The bills were referred to the Committee on Insurance. Both bills died in committee.
In May 2012, H.B. 2764, a bill that would have extended autism insurance coverage to more Kansas families, failed by two votes to make it to the Senate floor for a final vote. This ended the possibility of expanded autism insurance reform in 2012.
MEDICAID
Kansas Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: KS Autism
This waiver, implemented on January 1, 2010, provides intensive individual supports, respite, consultative clinical and therapeutic services (an autism specialist), family adjustment counseling, interpersonal communication therapy, and parent support and training (peer-to-peer) for individuals ages 0-5 with autism. In order to be eligible, the child must be diagnosed by a medical doctor or Ph.D. licensed psychologist using an approved autism screening tool (e.g., CARS, GARS, ADOS, ADI, ASDS) and evaluated for a Level of Care Determination to assess functional eligibility. Services are provided for three years and may be extended for one year if deemed medically necessary by approval of the review team. This waiver expires on December 31, 2015.
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Agency/Testimony/Documents/2006/AutismWaiver.pdf
Kansas Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: KS MR/DD
This waiver, implemented on July 1, 2009, provides day supports, overnight respite care, a personal assistant, residential supports, supported employment, FMS, assistive services, family-individual supports, medical alert rental, sleep cycle support, specialized medical care, supportive home care, and wellness monitoring for individuals ages five and older with autism, developmental disabilities, and mental retardation. This waiver expires on June 30, 2014.
http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/Waivers.html
EDUCATION
H.B. 2227 was introduced on February 3, 2009 to establish an autism scholarship program for students with autism between the ages of 3 and 21 years. The program would allow parents of a child with autism to send their child to a non-public school that would implement the child’s IEP. The amount awarded would be the equivalent of the cost of the education program the student would have received in the resident school district. The legislation was referred to the House Education Committee. A hearing was held on February 11, 2009. No further action was taken.
Autism Service Scholarship Act
Upon request of the Kansas Autism Task Force, the Legislative Education Planning Committee introduced S.B. 10 on January 12, 2009 which creates an autism service scholarship program for students enrolled in college and pursuing a master’s degree in an allied health care program with an emphasis in autism spectrum disorders in an underserved area. Students participating in the autism service scholarship program will be awarded up to a maximum of $3,000 per semester. The bill was referred to the Education Committee on January 13, 2009. No further action was taken.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Kansas Instructional Support Network (KISN
The Mission of KISN is to support Kansas school districts in building local capacity to serve students with diverse learning needs through results based professional development training and technical assistance. The Neurologic Disabilities Support Project (NDSP) is part of KISN and supports local school districts by providing services to students with autism and other neurologic disabilities. Support services include training, resource referral, consultation, and technical assistance to school personnel and students with autism.
http://kansasasd.com/
http://www.autismlink.com/listing/the_kansas_instructional_support_network
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES AND COURTS
A committee of the Kansas Department of Health & Environment voted in June 2012 to maintain and continue autism insurance benefits under the State Employee Health Plan through 2013. This made it impossible for Kansas to eliminate autism insurance coverage, while also setting the stage for more families to gain wider coverage in 2013.
OTHER STATE RESOURCES
Kansas Governor’s Commission on Autism
The Kansas Governor’s Commission on Autism advises and provides recommendations to the governor on the needs of individuals with autism, their families and service providers. The commission currently has fifteen members (parents, educators, healthcare providers, and professionals with an interest in autism) appointed by the governor. Jeanie Zortman is the current chair. One of the commission’s goals is to establish regional diagnostic and outreach centers to service individuals with autism, their families, and personnel.
http://csp.kdads.ks.gov/agency/css/Pages/Autismwaiver/KansasGovernor'sCommissiononAutism.aspx
STATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
The Kansas State Legislature meets in Regular Session annually on the second Monday in January. The 2012 Legislative Session convened on January 9, 2012 and adjourned on June 1, 2012. The 2013 session will convene on January 14, 2013 and is expected to adjourn in May or June of 2013.
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/
SPONSORS OF AUTISM LEGISLATION
Prepared by Easter Seals, Inc.; November 2012.
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