Here's what's happening in North Carolina regarding autism therapy costs:

North Carolina legislators are concerned about rapidly rising Medicaid spending on autism therapies, particularly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Costs are projected to exceed $1 billion, with a 425% increase by 2026. There are ongoing fraud investigations, as potential fraudulent Medicaid payments have more than doubled in the past year.

The state is working to update Medicaid coverage policies with clearer definitions of what should be covered, while still maintaining support for children with autism. The NC Department of Health and Human Services has already implemented some rate cuts, though spending will still be $400 million higher than two years ago.

Sources: North Carolina Health News, WRAL, Carolina Journal

That's great news! The San Angelo Autism Center is expanding with a new facility to better serve children with autism in the community. According to reports, they're hoping to open the new clinic by August 2026 to accommodate their growing waitlist. The center has been operating for nearly 7 years and this expansion will allow them to help more families. The Autism Alliance of the Concho Valley also recently celebrated their 10th annual Walk for Autism event. You can read more about their work at ConchoValleyHomepage.com.

There's currently an important debate happening about whether the autism spectrum should be divided by severity levels. While some argue this could help tailor support needs better, others worry it could lead to harmful hierarchies that devalue those with higher support needs (PBS, Independent). The discussion was reignited after Health Secretary Kennedy called autism an "epidemic" and focused on environmental causes (NEPM). Many in the autism community caution against splitting the spectrum, as it risks oversimplifying the diverse experiences of autistic individuals (ASAT). The National Institute of Mental Health continues to research autism as a spectrum disorder with varying support needs (NIMH).