Media Report
April 15, 2012Autism coverage may bring jobs to Michigan
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120415/SUB01/304159967/autism-coverage-may-bring-jobs-to-michigan
Hundreds of psychology and therapy jobs are expected to be created over the next three years as the state of Michigan and health insurers carry out a legislative package that requires health insurers to cover autism treatment for children up to age 18. With 15,400 school-age children and an additional 4,500 ages 2-5 diagnosed with autism, Michigan needs up to 600 more licensed psychologists who also are board-certified behavior analysts and as many as 7,000 licensed therapists to provide autism treatment, said Colleen Allen, executive director of the Autism Alliance of Michigan in Detroit. EMU and Western Michigan University have two master's degree programs that prepare graduates to become board-certified behavior analysts, or BCBAs -- the qualifications necessary to provide treatment under the bill, Allen said. Allen said several other universities could add master's training programs leading to BCBA certification. They include Oakland University, which is working with DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan; Wayne State University; and Central Michigan University, she said.
Hundreds of psychology and therapy jobs are expected to be created over the next three years as the state of Michigan and health insurers carry out a legislative package that requires health insurers to cover autism treatment for children up to age 18. With 15,400 school-age children and an additional 4,500 ages 2-5 diagnosed with autism, Michigan needs up to 600 more licensed psychologists who also are board-certified behavior analysts and as many as 7,000 licensed therapists to provide autism treatment, said Colleen Allen, executive director of the Autism Alliance of Michigan in Detroit. EMU and Western Michigan University have two master's degree programs that prepare graduates to become board-certified behavior analysts, or BCBAs -- the qualifications necessary to provide treatment under the bill, Allen said. Allen said several other universities could add master's training programs leading to BCBA certification. They include Oakland University, which is working with DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan; Wayne State University; and Central Michigan University, she said.
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