NJ legislation that would cover autism advances

From The AP:

TRENTON -- New Jersey lawmakers have advanced legislation that would force state-chartered health care providers to cover certain autism treatments.

The treatments include physical, speech and occupational therapy, as well as behavioral intervention, which advocates said is more expensive than the other three. Both the Assembly Appropriations and Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committees approved the measure May 18.

Autism New Jersey clinical director Suzanne Buchanan said one example of that treatment is teaching an autistic child how to make a sandwich. Each step is taught individually and paired with some kind of reward.

The full Assembly will consider it May 21. The Senate version goes to the Senate budget committee.