Autism and Fraud

The Hour reports:

The special needs therapist accused of swindling the city and parents of autistic children out of thousands of dollars has sparked new legislation that aims to prevent unqualified persons from providing behavioral therapy to special needs children.

Drafted with input from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Suzanne Letso, CEO of the Connecticut Center for Child Development, the bill will ensure that only licensed professionals provide individualized education for autistic children.

The bill, named "An Act Concerning Special Education" requires that behavioral analysts that provide autistic children individualized education hold a bachelor's degree in a related field and is licensed by the Department of Health or certified by the State Department of Education.

WCBS-TV report here.