Commentary: CMS Autism Toolkit Too Narrowly Focused on ABA
In a Behavioral Health Business commentary, Robin McLeod argues that CMS's new state toolkit on applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, released last month, rightly addresses rising Medicaid and CHIP spending and utilization concerns but relies too heavily on frameworks built around traditional ABA. McLeod writes that the toolkit's reliance on standards from the Council of Autism Service Providers and the Autism Commission on Quality risks narrowing which licensed professionals and treatment approaches states recognize for autism care, potentially excluding psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and others. The author argues CMS should develop a broader Autism Care Toolkit covering non-ABA, evidence-based alternatives so states can build reimbursement systems around individualized needs rather than a single credential or treatment model. No new CMS action is reported beyond the toolkit's prior release; the piece is an argument for expanding federal guidance.