Nevada’s current laws have a lot of room to grow when it comes to being more supportive of families who are taking care of profoundly autistic children.
As the laws stand right now, family caregivers are considered legally responsible for their autistic children, which means they aren’t eligible to get paid for leaving the workforce to provide the care their children need.
This type of policy isn’t applied to other developmental conditions, like dementia. In Nevada, family members who provide caregiving services to family members with dementia are eligible for government financial support. In other states, like Colorado and California, parents of autistic children are also eligible for this type of economic support. If parents in Nevada send their autistic child to a facility outside of the home, then the state of Nevada would provide financial caregiving support, despite the care being much more costly at a residential home.
Another improvement that could be implemented is the potential for respite care services for parents of profoundly autistic children. Respite care gives primary live-in caregivers a temporary break by allowing a professional to come into the home and take over for a temporary period of time. Currently, Medicaid doesn’t cover respite care, but states can offer waivers. Advocates are suggesting that Nevada should implement respite care waivers for families in need regardless of the family’s income level.
Yet another great thing that can be accomplished for the autistic community in Nevada is for the school systems to be more adequately trained and prepared for the challenges associated with autism. According to parents in the state, there have been several concerning incidents around autistic children, especially in Washoe County School District, over the past few years. In one tragic case, a student was left with his head gashed open after injuring himself in school. Every student has a right to receive a free and appropriate public education, even if they struggle with behavioral issues or disabilities.
Does Your Autistic Child Need More Support?
Here at the Nevada Autism Center, our highly qualified staff understand the challenges faced by autistic families, which is why we created our Autism Center. Our community of care providers offers caring, compassionate treatment in a family-focused environment. We start with an assessment where we can identify your child’s strengths and needs. Then, we utilize that information to create a care plan for your child that will help them develop coping skills and navigate the challenges of life with more ease.
Our facility uses ABA therapy with the goal of helping your child become more independent and experience a higher overall quality of life.
Currently, we accept Aetna, BlueCross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and other forms of insurance. If you’re interested in getting started with our services, then you should submit your contact details on our online form. Our team will reach out to you with further information about our program, what we can offer, and the extent of our services.
