Autism Therapy Fraud Case: What Parents Should Know

A recent Minnesota case highlights why vigilance matters when accessing autism services.

What Happened?

In December 2025, Asha Hassan pleaded guilty to defrauding Minnesota's autism therapy program (EIDBI) and a child nutrition program. Her company, Smart Therapy LLC, billed the state for $14 million in autism services that were either never provided or inflated. She also admitted to stealing $465,000 from a meal program for kids.

How Did This Affect Families?

Prosecutors say Hassan:

• Recruited families from the Somali community, sometimes offering kickbacks
• Used untrained staff (like teenage relatives) instead of qualified therapists
• Billed Medicaid for services that didn’t meet standards or didn’t happen at all

This means some children likely received substandard or nonexistent care, while taxpayer funds meant for autism support were misused.

What Can Parents Do?

1. Verify providers: Ask for therapist credentials and check your state’s licensing database.

2. Review billing statements: If you’re on Medicaid, request records to ensure services match what your child received.

3. Report concerns: Contact your state’s Medicaid fraud office if something seems off.

Limitations to Note

This is one case in Minnesota, and most autism providers are ethical. However, it underscores the importance of transparency in therapy programs.

Read the full report here.