This autism therapy is covered by many insurers. Why does the military’s plan restrict it?

TRICARE, the military’s healthcare program, limits coverage of applied behavior analysis, a type of therapy for people with autism. Kristi Cabiao is trying to get the policy changed.

Logan Cabiao has a severe form of autism and is nonverbal. At 10 years old, his parents say, he needs round-the-clock support and supervision.

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Logan cannot brush his teeth or use the bathroom on his own. Routine doctor’s appointments can become so overwhelming that his parents sometimes need to sedate him. In crowded places he may run off without warning, they say.

When he was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, his parents turned to applied behavior analysis, or ABA, a therapy commonly used to help children learn daily life skills and limit harmful behaviors. The treatment gave Logan access to a therapist who worked with him throughout the day.