California advocates and families of children with autism had reason to celebrate this week as Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg introduced amended legislation that would provide individuals with autism and pervasive developmental disorders access to insurance coverage for services, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and other intensive early intervention therapy.

In a press release issued by Senator Steinberg he said, “Parents of autistic children shouldn’t have to spend their days and sleepless nights battling with insurance companies because of a lack of clarity regarding this highly effective therapy. ABA has long been considered medically necessary and has proven remarkably effective for a majority of families.”