Feb 27, 2025
Your child has been diagnosed with autism. Now what?
3 ways your health plan can help you navigate a complex process
For some parents, a diagnosis that their child is on the autism spectrum can be frightening and overwhelming. For others it can be a relief, providing answers to questions about their child’s behavior.
“There’s such a wide range of presentation within autism spectrum disorders, which means patients and their families have varying needs -- and there are so many treatment options and supports available, it’s no wonder some parents feel at a loss.” said Jessica Everett, a practicing psychologist who is also clinical director of autism, applied behavior analysis and neurodevelopmental disorders at the not-for-profit health plan Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
What many parents may not know is that their health plan might be able to help.
Psychologist Jessica Everett
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder, which begins in early childhood, is related to brain development and affects how a person perceives and socializes with others.
Diagnoses have increased over the past few decades, as the disorder has been more broadly defined to refer to a wide range of symptoms of varying severity.
There’s no cure, but early treatment can make a big difference – particularly from clinicians trained in applied behavior analysis, an evidence-based treatment for autism.
And there are ways a health care plan can offer support.
Need help navigating the autism care system?
“Many health plans offer support and guidance for their members on medical and mental health issues. At Blue Cross, we help can help our members navigate the often-long wait times for a neuropsychological evaluation, aiming to provide quicker access to treatment,” Everett said.
Care managers at Blue Cross and the plan’s mental health advocates bring deep awareness of the care autistic children may need, she added.
“The child may require special medical care or other therapies due to co-occurring conditions,” Everett said. “A child with autism may experience anxiety, depression, developmental issues. Our team has training and education on the options that may be available.”
The health plan also has a mental health resource center to help guide members seeking care.
Need help finding support for parents and siblings of a child with autism?
“The rest of the family may need therapeutic and social supports as well,” Everett said. “Our care managers and mental health experts can refer parents to the resources they need.”
For example, Blue Cross’ network now includes health care providers such as Coastal ABA, which offers an applied behavior analysis training program to provide support and information to parents of newly diagnosed children.
“So often parents walk away from a clinical visit that results in an autism spectrum diagnosis with a long list of recommendations,” Everett said. “Parents shouldn’t have to fend for themselves in figuring out how to care for their child and search for support.”
Need access to a network of clinicians – in person and virtual?
Amid a long-running national shortage of mental health providers, Blue Cross has increased its network by almost 60% in the past six years, with more than 21,000 clinicians now available to members.
To further broaden access, the insurer also covers treatment provided by digital-first providers, including Cortica, a nationwide digital first provider organization that offers whole-child care for autistic and neurodivergent children.
“The health care community should not look at a child diagnosed with autism in isolation,” Everett said. “We have to consider so much more, their co-morbid medical and psychological conditions, home life, and the needs of the family. Health plans are in a unique position to see that whole picture and offer help.”
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PHOTO OF JESSICA EVERETT BY MICHAEL GRIMMETT