Surviving the System: Autism Insurance

Every day, more than 60 children are diagnosed with Autism, and many of their parents struggle to provide them with the therapies they need.

One such parent is Pam Hebert. Her 10-year-old son Matt has Autism.

When he's not at school or summer camp, Matt enjoys playing video games, like most kids his age.

Matt's mom says he's made a lot of progress since first being diagnosed with Autism.

"We see progress every year. Our main challenges now are academic, not so much behavior," she said.

Hebert credits that progress in large part to Autism therapies, including applied behavior analysis therapy, also known as ABA, and occupational therapy.

"Both these therapies were life changing for him. They were so necessary," she said.

The Heberts are grateful that the costly therapies were partially covered by insurance, but for many families they're not.

"A lot of families do not get therapies for their child because it's not covered by insurance or they're actually going broke trying to pay for this," Hebert said.

Autism Speaks, a national advocacy organization, has launched a TV ad campaign calling on Congress to encourage insurance companies to cover more Autism therapies.

"Most insurance companies don't see Autism as something you can recover from. So rehab, which is what therapy's ultimate goal is, is not a reason to pay for insurance for kiddos," said Zaundra Ellis, a volunteer with Autism Speaks.

Ellis has a nephew with Autism and knows how much her sister's family has had to pay for his therapies.

"They ended up paying more than $100,000 a year out of pocket," she said.

Ellis also says that even if you're not related to a child with Autism, getting them the therapies they need should be every taxpayers concern.

"They're not able to work in the community and can't' live on their own. As a society we're going to be responsible for those folks. Their future is dependent on us," she said.

Texas, along with 13 other states, have already acted to amend insurance laws to cover some Autism therapies.

However, the coverage does have some age restrictions.

In the other 36 states, insurers exclude coverage of the therapies.