2012 State Autism Profiles
NEVADA
DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2000, 493 or 1.29% of children ages 3-21 who received special education services in Nevada have autism. In 2010-2011, 3,668 or 7.63% of children with disabilities ages 3-21 who received special education services have autism.
Table 1-1: IDEA Part B - Children with Autism in Nevada for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| 1999-2000 | 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
89 |
632 |
| Age 6-11 |
298 |
1,853 |
| Age 12-17 |
90 |
1,054 |
| Age 18-21 |
6 |
129 |
| Age 6-21 |
394 |
3,036 |
| Age 3-21 |
493 |
3,668 |
Source: Reported by the State of Nevada 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 Nevada for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
3,676 |
6,947 |
| Age 6-11 |
17,324 |
19,284 |
| Age 12-17 |
15,882 |
19,864 |
| Age 18-21 |
1,278 |
1,983 |
| Age 6-21 |
34,484 |
41,131 |
| Age 3-21 |
38,160 |
48,078 |
STATE TASK FORCE
State of Nevada Autism Task Force
On October 16, 2007, Gov. Jim Gibbons signed A.B. 629 into law. Section 40 of the bill created the Nevada Autism Task Force to review the current services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and provide recommendations to improve the effectiveness of services, in particular with early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment. The task force is comprised of 14 members, ten who are appointed by the Governor. The others are appointed by the Senate Majority and Minority Leader, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Minority Leader of the Assembly. The members represent representatives of state agencies, legislators, an expert in early intervention services, and other professionals with an interest in autism. The task force submitted the report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature on July 28, 2008.
http://dhhs.nv.gov/autism/TaskForce/2008/2008_NV_Autism_Task_Force_Report.pdf
STATE INSURANCE COVERAGE
On May 29, 2009, Gov. Jim Gibbons signed A.B. 162 into law, requiring group, health maintenance organizations, and plans or policies that provide hospital or outpatient care to provide health insurance coverage for the screening and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Coverage may not be higher than that of other outpatient care. Medically appropriate treatment includes habilitative or rehabilitative care, including applied behavioral analysis (ABA), pharmaceutical care, psychiatric care, psychological care, and therapeutic care. The law requires a maximum annual benefit of $36,000 for applied behavioral analysis. Coverage for ASD is mandated for children under 18 or for those 21 years old and under if they are enrolled in high school.
EDUCATION
In the 2011 session, S.B. 294 was introduced related to providers of health care, including revising provisions governing the practice of applied behavior analysis (ABA). For example, an “assistant behavior analyst” now refers to a person who holds current certification or meets the standards to be certified as a board certified assistant behavior analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., , and who is licensed as an assistant behavior analyst by the Board. S.B. 294 was signed into law by Gov. Sandoval on June 16, 2011. It was effective June 16, 2011, for the purpose of adopting regulations, and on January 1, 2012, for all other purposes.
In May 2009, A.B. 359 was enacted, creating the Grant for the Training and Education of Personnel Who Work with Pupils with Autism and requiring that certain school and healthcare personnel possess the skills and qualifications necessary to work with pupils with autism. Previously, in 1998, theNevadaDepartment of Education, Office of Special Education, ESEA & Special Improvement convened the “Early Childhood Autism Task Force.” The task force is not active at this time.
OTHER LEGISLATION
In 2011, the legislature passed and the Governor signed into law A.B. 345, creating an Autism Assistance Treatment Program within the State Department of Health and Human Services, effective July 1, 2011. A.B. 345 requires the Division of Disability Services in the Department of Health and Human Services to design a protocol to measure and assess outcomes from the Autism Assistance Treatment Program, as well as evaluate persons under 21 with autism spectrum disorder receiving services from state and local providers. A.B. 345 also requires local government agencies to provide services to people with autism spectrum disorder.
http://dhhs.nv.gov/ODS_Programs_ATAP.htm
STATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
The Nevada State Legislature meets in regular session biennially on the first Monday in February. The 76th Session convened on February 7, 2011 and adjourned June 7, 2011. The 77th Regular Session of the Nevada Legislature will begin on February 4, 2013 and is expected to adjourn on June 6, 2013
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/
SPONSORS OF AUTISM LEGISLATION
Prepared by Easter Seals, Inc.; November 2012.
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