2012 State Autism Profiles
OREGON
DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2000, 2,945 or 3.92% of children ages 3-21 who received special education services in Oregon have autism. In 2010-2011, 8,338 or 10.29% of children with disabilities ages 3-21 who received special education services in Oregon have autism.
Table 1-1: IDEA Part B - Children with Autism in Oregon for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| 1999-2000 | 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
429 |
981 |
| Age 6-11 |
1,471 |
3,589 |
| Age 12-17 |
895 |
3,145 |
| Age 18-21 |
150 |
623 |
| Age 6-21 |
2,516 |
7,357 |
| Age 3-21 |
2,945 |
8,338 |
Source: Reported by the State of Oregon 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 Oregon for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
6,926 |
9,392 |
| Age 6-11 |
34,097 |
34,297 |
| Age 12-17 |
31,288 |
33,043 |
| Age 18-21 |
2,893 |
4,318 |
| Age 6-21 |
68,278 |
71,658 |
| Age 3-21 |
75,204 |
81,050 |
STATE TASK FORCE
Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders
On March 25, 2009, Governor Ted Kulongoski signed an executive order establishing the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders to develop and monitor a ten-year strategic plan to address the needs of those with ASD. The recommendations of the various subcommittees were submitted as of June 10, 2010. The Commission consists of persons with autism spectrum disorders and their family members, as well as representatives from the education, medical, insurance, and lawmaking communities.
http://www.orcommissionasd.org/
In addition, legislation H.B. 3018 was introduced to establish the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder Fund and to allow the Commission to accept funds from any source. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, but no further action was taken.
Caring for Oregon’s Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force
In 1999, S.B. 765 was signed into law, creating a task force on autism: “Caring for Oregon’s Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force.” The task force was asked to review the Oregon Department of Education’s autism implementation plan and other related educational services for students with autism. Additionally, the task force was asked to provide legislative recommendations for the development and implementation of a continuum of educational services, such as a residential school, and to make recommendations for potential funding sources, selected sites, scope of services, and curricula. There were 10 members, including parents of a child with autism, state officials, educators, and other professionals with an interest in autism. In 2000, the task force prepared a final report of recommendations that addressed ways to improve and coordinate educational services to students with autism.
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=304
S.B. 565 was introduced in the 2011 session to establish a commission to study the rise of autism spectrum disorder in Oregon. The commission was required to provide regular reports to the legislature. The bill was referred to the Committee on Health Care, Health Policy, and Rural Health Policy and was later referred to the Ways and Means Committee. No further action was taken.
STATE INSURANCE COVERAGE
During the 2012 legislative session, S.B. 555 and H.B. 2214 were introduced to require providers of state-regulated insurance plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders who are under the age of 18. The bill placed no dollar cap on the annual benefit, although the Senate’s version of the bill as amended would limit ABA therapy to children under age 11, up to a maximum of 87 hours per month. The diagnosis of autism must be made by a licensed physician or psychologist based upon a determination of medical necessity. Services covered by the bill included habilitative or rehabilitative care, including treatment programs such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), developmental approaches, and other behavioral health treatments; pharmacy, psychiatric, psychological, therapeutic care, augmentative communication devices and other assistive technology devices; care coordination, and other care deemed medically necessary and that meets the standards of evidence required for coverage of other prevailing medical or surgical treatments. S.B. 555 passed the Senate Health Committee unanimously with amendments and was referred to the Joint Ways and Means Committee. No further action was taken.
In June 2007, H.B. 2918 passed and was signed into law on July 31, 2007, requiring health insurance coverage for the treatment of pervasive developmental disorders for children up to 18 years of age,. All medically necessary services, including rehabilitation services, are covered. Rehabilitation services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy services. Under the law, pervasive developmental disorder is defined as a neurological condition that includes autism, Asperser’s syndrome, developmental delay, developmental disability or mental retardation. Treatment of pervasive developmental disorders is subject to the same terms and conditions as physical illnesses, including copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance.(OR Rev. Stat.743A.190)
Additionally Oregon’s Mental Health Parity Law, enacted in 2005, requires group health insurance policies to “provide coverage for expenses arising from treatment for … mental or nervous conditions at the same level as, and subject to limitations no more restrictive than, those imposed on coverage or reimbursement of expenses arising from treatment for other medical conditions….” Autism is legally considered to be a “mental or nervous condition” for the purposes of this law. (OR Rev. Stat. §743A.168)
EDUCATION
Legislation
H.B. 3349 was introduced to establish an autism scholarship program. The legislation would allow the Oregon Department of Education to award a scholarship to children with autism to attend another school outside of the resident school district or to attend a non-public school. Once awarded the scholarship, the Oregon Department of Education would review the child’s individualized education program to determine the amount of the scholarship to a maximum in the amount of equivalent to the cost of educational services the student would have received in his/her resident school district. Also, the Oregon Department of Education may use funds from the State School Fund for scholarships. The bill was in the Education Committee with referral to Ways and Means Committee upon adjournment.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Statewide Consultative and Resource Services for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Oregon Department of Education provides a grant to the Willamette Education Service District to oversee the Statewide Consultative and Resource Services for Autism Spectrum Disorders. The services are provided to the Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Services to students with autism. Services include an evaluation (e.g., determining eligibility for special education, developing a behavior support plan), consultation (e.g., IEP/IFSP development, daily living skills), resources, and consortium services.
http://ucedd.uoregon.edu/?p=438
Legislation
S.B. 567 was introduced in the 2011 session to provide standards for a teaching endorsement in autism spectrum disorder. To qualify, teachers must have an endorsement to teach special education and have at least three years of experience teaching children with autism spectrum disorder. School psychologists and speech-language pathologists are also eligible for this endorsement. S.B. 567 was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce Development. No further action was taken.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES AND COURTS
In June 2012, the Portland City Council approved a new health benefits package for city employees and their dependents. Those now covered by Portland's health insurance plans will be able to receive effective, timely medical treatment for autism, thereby extending autism insurance benefits, including coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
STATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
The Legislature convenes annually in February at the State Capitol in Salem, but sessions may not exceed 160 days in odd-numbered years and 35 days in even-numbered years. The Oregon Legislative Assembly convened the 2012 Regular Session on February 1, 2012 and adjourned on March 6, 2012. The 2013 session will convene in February 2013 and anticipates adjournment in July of 2013.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/
SPONSORS OF AUTISM LEGISLATION
Prepared by Easter Seals, Inc.; November 2012.
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