How Medicaid Funding Reductions Affect Support For Children With Autism

For a child with Autism, even the smallest routines can change the progress of their mind and perspective. A child depends on familiar routine, steady support, and consistent therapy to adapt and learn from their surroundings.

Let’s take Jake, for example, a seven-year-old boy who starts his day with a short speech therapy session. He is mostly non-verbal, and these few minutes of an everyday session help him learn important skills. This routine calms him because he knows how to communicate what he wants, manage his behaviors effectively, and express his feelings about things around him.

That said, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an important step in supporting children to understand the world in a way that makes sense to them. But when these opportunities for this therapy are reduced, all the effort it took to build and learn can slip away. Skills that took days to learn can stall or fade. Let’s look at how the funding reductions are making it difficult for children with differing abilities to get the consistent support they need.

How Medicaid Cuts Affect Autism Services

Medicaid in Missouri may soon face major cuts, which could affect the services like speech therapy or Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that families rely on. Currently, a large portion of Missouri’s Medical program is funded through federal support. If the allocated budget is cut, Missouri would have less money to support home care and other programs that many children and adults rely on.

When the funding drops, the number of recipients accepted to sit for therapy is also reduced, taking a heavy toll on families. Children may lose 10-20 hours of therapy per week in the worst cases; children may have to wait longer to get important services or, in some cases, lose access to treatment entirely.

This impact compounds quickly. When ABA sessions are reduced, a child making steady progress with the therapy may regress when sessions are cut. Skills that took months of repeated effort to build and develop, like verbal communication, behavioral, and social interaction, can deteriorate without consistent practice.

Why Medicaid Matters for Children with Disabilities

Covering the cost of regular therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can feel impossible for many families, but being a part of a medicaid program makes therapy sessions accessible. Therapy sessions, which can cost approximately $60 to $150 per hour, without coverage, parents might struggle to pay out of pocket, or may even have to reduce their work hours to care for their child.

Autism Support Services That Families Can Access Through Medicaid

What exactly is Medicaid funding used for?
Medicaid funding for ASD covers programs and tools that help with additional needs. Many families rely on these services every day to help their child learn, communicate, and feel safe in their own space.
Early Intervention (EI): Spot challenges early and help children with communication, social skills, and movement as early as possible, often before age 3.
Behavioral Therapy: Shows children how to handle daily tasks, difficult behaviors, and guides them to build independence. ABA therapy also helps children understand expectations at home, school, and in social situations.
Occupational Therapy (OT): Helps children handle daily activities, improve coordination, and take care of sensory issues such as noise sensitivity, trouble sitting still, or discomfort with textures.
Speech Therapy: Strengthens both verbal and non-verbal communication. That could mean learning new words, using communication devices, or understanding social cues. Speech therapy gives children tools to share their needs, feelings, and ideas.
Sensory Tools: Includes items like weights, blankets, fidget tools, visual schedules, and noise-canceling headphones. These tools help ASD children stay calm, focus better, and participate comfortably in school, therapy, and at home.

What Parents Can Do When Support is Reduced

When therapy hours or services are cut, parents have to get creative to keep their child’s progress going. Here are some practical steps you can take to protect your child’s progress.

Keep Communication Open With Therapists: Ask for at-home exercises, short daily routines with your child’s therapists, so that progress is not stalled even if hours are reduced.
Tap Into School Resources: Many schools have special education staff, aides, or therapy programs that can help fill the gaps during the school day.
Look for Community Programs: Local non-profits, community centers, or parent-run groups sometimes offer low-cost sessions or workshops.
Consider Part-Time Therapy: Some therapists give reduced rates or flexible schedules to help families continue affordable professional support.
Join Advocacy Groups for Support: These groups share real-world tips, updates on funding and policy changes, and ways to push for better services in your area.

Conclusion:

When medicaid cuts interrupt ASD services, families shouldn’t have to navigate this alone. UCP Heartland’s Autism Services program steps in as a trusted partner, offering evidence-based therapy, focused on ABA principles, combined with a whole-child approach that includes communication, social skills, and daily living.

They provide a specialized plan that adapts to each family’s needs, regardless of funding changes. This means children continue receiving consistent support that helps them build essential skills and make steady progress, even when therapy schedules are disrupted.