Oklahoma... Is it Failing its Children with Autism?
My son is one of the fortunate ones. The Oklahoma Health Authority (aka SoonerCare ) covers his twice weekly speech and occupational therapy sessions. Who knows, they may even cover a third speech session. We'll see because it doesn't hurt to ask. Like I said, he's one of the fortunate ones. But things aren't going so well for other Oklahoman children who are also on the spectrum. The Developmental Disabilities Division of our state's Department of Human Services is about to let a pilot program expire "sooner than expected" due to the lack of behavioral specialists. What does this mean exactly? The program had offered a budget of $12,360 to spend on services. As for the 30 families who were selected to participate? They will be left, once again, to fend for themselves. Michael McNutt of The Oklahoman reports , Oklahoma lacks enough therapists and behavioral specialists to take care of the state’s autistic children, according to the preliminary finding...