Autism care providers, parents urge change in ownership mandate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Autism care providers and parents say a crisis is looming for Illinois’ network of services.

Dr. Rebecca Thompson, president of the Illinois Providers for Applied Behavior Analysis Access and Quality, said an amendment to Senate Bill 712 forces every ABA provider in Illinois to restructure so only licensed behavior analysts hold ownership.

“This forces out non-licensed owners, including parents, business partners and multidisciplinary collaborators who have helped build and sustain access to autism care across the state,” Thompson said.

Matthew Croke of Park Ridge has six daughters, one of whom is nonverbal and autistic.

Croke joined Thompson for a press conference at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday.

“This is a big rock, and you’re dropping it in a quiet pond and the ripples are going to be far reaching. This is going to be more disruptive than anyone can imagine,” Croke said.

The Illinois Senate passed SB 712 unanimously last week.

The bill sponsor, state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, said on the Senate floor that the measure would clean up Illinois law so service disruptions don’t take place.

Veronica Glickman, a licensed behavior analyst, founder and CEO of Autism Behavioral & Educational Services, said if the bill language is not fixed, providers will close or reduce services.

“If the issue continues to be ignored by legislators who claim to champion the cause of the neurodivergent, then the consequences created through that inaction will rest on their shoulders alone,” Glickman said.

Croke said he would have been lost without ABA services.

“It was our road map. It was our GPS,” Croke said.

Croke said ABA parent training was crucial.

“And now you can go to bed knowing that you know skills: prompting, chaining, how to do a functional behavioral assessment, positive reinforcement, redirection. The difference is stark,” Croke said.

SB 712 is now in the House, with Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, as the sponsor.

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