2012 State Autism Profiles
UTAH
DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2000, 642 or 1.20% of children ages 3-21 who received special education services in Utah have autism. In 2010-2011, 3,987 or 5.67% of children with disabilities ages 3-21 who received special education services have autism.
Table 1-1: IDEA Part B - Children with Autism in Utah for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| 1999-2000 | 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
58 |
338 |
| Age 6-11 |
406 |
1,810 |
| Age 12-17 |
136 |
1,539 |
| Age 18-21 |
42 |
300 |
| Age 6-21 |
584 |
3,649 |
| Age 3-21 |
642 |
3,987 |
Source: Reported by the State of Utah 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 Utah for 1999-2000 and 2010-2011
(Child Count by Age Group)
| Child Count in 1999-2000 | Child Count in 2010-2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3-5 |
5,785 |
8,990 |
| Age 6-11 |
24,526 |
32,185 |
| Age 12-17 |
21,249 |
26,075 |
| Age 18-21 |
2,361 |
3,028 |
| Age 6-21 |
48,136 |
61,288 |
| Age 3-21 |
53,291 |
70,278 |
STATE TASK FORCE
Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (URADD)
On March 14, 2008, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. signed into law H.B. 263, creating a two-year autism advisory board. URADD is a project designed to indentify and help persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The program tracks the number of people inUtahwho suffer from ASD and helps to provide information to the public about the disorder. It also provides information and training to families and educators about resources for helping people with these disorders. Finally, URADD helps in the search for causes and cures of ASDs.
http://www.utahautismregistry.com/
STATE INSURANCE COVERAGE
On January 16, 2012, H.B. 69 proposed insurance coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Such "treatment” was defined as any treatment generally accepted by the medical community or the American Academy of Pediatrics as an effective treatment for an individual with an autism spectrum disorder, including: applied behavior analysis; pharmaceuticals; psychiatric treatment; psychological treatment; occupational therapy; speech therapy; and medical treatment. H.B. 69 would provide coverage for the provision of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for a person with an autism spectrum disorder of at least $50,000 annually. H.B. 69 was not referred out of committee.
H.B. 272 was proposed as a substitute to H.B. 272 and established three autism pilot programs in Medicaid: one for up to 100 children from the private sector, non-Medicaid population paid through the Utah Autism Treatment Account and partially funded by private money; one for the 200 children in the Medicaid population supported by $4.5 million in Medicaid funds, and one for up to 50 children of state employees administered by Public Employees' Benefit and Insurance Program Act For example, Utah’s Medicaid pilot will provide children with 20 hours a week of ABA in their homes along with respite care, for a total cost of $30,020 per child per year. Pilot administrators will be tracking the cost and effectiveness of the treatments and report their results by next November. The Governor signed the bill into law on March 26, 2012.
Limited coverage may be available under the mental health parity law. Utah requires health insurance coverage for “catastrophic mental health conditions,” or provides coverage for at least 50% of covered services for diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions as defined in DSM-IV. The law further specifies that mental health conditions do not include some conditions, such as a specific developmental disorder, when diagnosed as the primary reason for treatment. (UT Code §31A-22-625)
MEDICAID
Utah Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: UT Community Supports Waiver for Individuals w/ID and Other Related Conditions
This waiver, implemented on July 1, 2010, provides day supports, homemaker services, personal care services, residential habilitation, respite care, supported employment, waiver support coordination, financial management services, behavior consultation services, chore services, companion services, environmental adaptations, extended living supports, family and individual training and preparation services, living start-up costs, massage therapy, personal budget assistance, PERS, professional medication monitoring, specialized medical equipment, supplies, and assistive technology services, supported living services, and transportation for individuals of all ages with autism, mental retardation, and developmental disabilities. This waiver expires on June 30, 2015.
http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/Waivers.html
EDUCATION
Utah Special Education Rules states that all children who meet the guidelines for special education are required to have educational services. According to the law, autism is defined as a developmental disability that affects communications and social interactions. Autism, generally evident before the age of 3, is also associated with engagement in repetitive activities and resistance to environmental change. In order to be eligible for special education services, a student with autism must meet a checklist of criteria, have a diagnosis of autism by a qualified medical professional, and display the symptoms of autism. (Utah Special Education Rules, Utah State Board of Education, pp. 28-31)
http://autismcouncilofutah.org/resources/links/educational-services/
OTHER STATE RESOURCES
Autism Treatment Account and Advisory Committee
In H.B. 311, passed on March 22, 2010, the Autism Treatment Account was created within the General Fund consisting of grants, donations, bequests of real property, personal property or services and any other conveyance that be made to the account from private sources. The money was allotted to provide: assistance with the cost of treating and evaluating people with autism; treatment and taking advantage of early intensive behavior therapy; and grants to those providing services.
An advisory committee was also established in H.B. 311, consisting of five members appointed by the governor to two-year terms of office. This committee is required to provide a written report of their activities no later than November 30 of each year.
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2010/bills/hbillint/HB0311S01.htm
STATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
The Utah State Legislature meets annually in General Session on the third Monday in January. The 2012 General Session convened on January 23, 2012 and adjourned on March 8, 2012. The 2013 General Session will convene on January 21, 2013 and is expected to adjourn in March 2013.
http://le.utah.gov/
SPONSORS OF AUTISM LEGISLATION
Prepared by Easter Seals, Inc.; November 2012.
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