AUSTIN, Texas — Tens of thousands of Texas children with autism are unable to receive certain types of therapy because it is still not covered by Medicaid. 

What You Need To Know

  • Applied Behavior Analysis is one of the most widely recognized and effective therapies for kids with autism

  • In 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a budget bill that included a directive for Medicaid to cover medically necessary ABA therapy

  • The state's Health and Human Services Department hasn’t implemented the program yet

  • A spokesperson said the department plans to have Medicaid-covered ABA services available by February 2022

One Texas mom says it was devastating when she realized Medicaid wouldn’t cover Applied Behavior Analysis, which she says is life changing for her son. 

“He is the sweetest, most angelic little boy. I mean he’s perfect, you know, to us," said Jill Browning. 

Like most four and a half year olds, Colter Browning is full of life and energy. About three years ago, his mother noticed he had some developmental differences. 

“Colter was spinning and spinning and spinning in circles," said Jill Browning. 

He was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. At the time, Jill Browning was on Medicaid, which covered speech therapy and occupational therapy for Colter, but neither made a difference. 

"When they did his initial evaluation…he was about 18 months old and they said, 'We have our work cut out for us,' they could not reach him," she said. 

Both therapists recommended Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), one of the most widely recognized and effective therapies for kids with autism. However, Texas is one of the few states where ABA is not covered by Medicaid. 

“It was extremely devastating," said Browning. "We didn't know what to do.”

Browning says she was lucky enough to find another job where her health insurance covers ABA. 

“He went from, like, not responding to responding immediately…it was amazing what he was learning in just the few short weeks that he had started," said Browning. ​

In 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a budget bill that included a directive for Medicaid to cover medically necessary ABA therapy.

The state's Health and Human Services Department hasn’t implemented the program so about 80,000 Medicaid-enrolled kids with autism still don’t have access to the treatment. 

In a statement, a spokesperson said the department plans to have Medicaid-covered ABA services available by February 2022. 

Advocates say the delay has already had an impact on kids with autism, for whom many experts say early intervention is essential. 

“This two to three year period, we've truly lost thousands and thousands of kiddos, whose lives could have gotten changed," said Hersh Sanghavi, CEO of Action Behavior Centers. 

Jill Browning says her son is proof of why access to ABA is so critical.

“Without ABA I think he would still be in a bubble…we went from having a son who didn't know his name, and didn't know who I was, you know. I had a son who I couldn't reach...He now knows his name, he gives great eye contact… he kisses me when I asked him for a kiss, and he does say I love you, and he calls me Mama… What ABA has done for him is life-changing," said Jill Browning. 

It’s an opportunity she wants for all Texas families.