Wisconsin CLTS Medicaid Waiver covers Rethink Autism program for children and youth

The State of Wisconsin has expanded the State's care for children with autism through its Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Medicaid Waiver, which now covers a family's use of the Rethink Autism program (http://www.rethinkautism.com). This will be an important source of continued services for families who are no longer receiving intensive services.

The CLTS Medicaid Waiver covers the Rethink Autism program for children and youth with autism under the age of 22 who have an autism diagnosis, and is available in all counties across Wisconsin.  Families interested in learning more can contact their local county human services agency (http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/bdds/clts/autism/county.htm) responsible for administering the CLTS Waiver Program.

Wisconsin families who are either waiting for intensive in-home autism treatment services or who are looking to complement their existing treatment plan will benefit from the Rethink Autism program.

Rethink Autism's unique web-based program provides parents with a comprehensive evidence-based curriculum through 1,200+ video-based teaching steps, parent training modules, an assessment tool, and progress tracking features. The curriculum, endorsed by leaders in the field of autism treatment and research, spans the entire autism spectrum and covers a broad range of skills, including academics, language, social, motor, daily living, and behavior managements.

The expanded Medicaid Waiver coverage will benefit a large number of Wisconsin families. In the 2007-2008 school year, 6,217 children with autism ages 3-21 were eligible and received special education services in Wisconsin according to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs.

"We are excited to have Wisconsin join Montana in extending Medicaid coverage for Rethink Autism's program," said Jamie Pagliaro, Executive Vice President of Rethink Autism. "There are tens of thousands of children on the spectrum in dire need of effective and affordable services and these state-based mandates represent an important step in helping these families."