Spring Break
Autism still not covered under KSU benefits plan
Nicole Stempak
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: News
Autism benefits coverage was a cause late political science professor Gertrude "Trudy" Steuernagel fought in favor of for years.
Steuernagel's 18-year-old son, Sky Walker, was diagnosed with autism shortly before his 3rd birthday. Steuernagel died in early February, and Walker has been charged with her murder.
Steuernagel's death has raised questions about the university's benefits coverage for autism.
The university's medical plan pays the fees to diagnose someone with autism but will not provide continuing treatment support.
Benefits manager Loretta Shields said the university's coverage policy is not new and is standard medical practice for most businesses.
"There is no cure for it, so there is no medical treatment for them," Shields said.
The university does not provide ongoing coverage because autism appears to present similar issues to those exhibited by individuals who are diagnosed with Down syndrome or other mental disabilities.
According to a letter in e-Inside by Willis Walker, vice president for human resources, treatments for all these conditions are not medical in nature but are primarily developmental issues relating to social and learning skills.
"There's no pill for autism," said Barbara Taub, an occupational therapist from Cleveland. "If there were, that would be wonderful."
Instead, Taub said doctors can prescribe medication or treatment methods to treat the symptoms of the disorder.
"It's more therapeutic," she said. "For example, for people who have sleeping issues, you can prescribe sleeping pills."
Shields said she did not know of a medication specifically for autism.
"The treatment might be for depression, and that would be covered," she said. "It depends on what the diagnosis is."
Still, Taub said the need for funding for autism research and treatment is a growing one.
"Some families have to explore alternate forms of therapy and will have to pay out of pocket," she said. "It's a huge, huge need, and it's something that needs to be dealt with early on in their life."
In light of Steuernagel's death, Kent State's human resources Web site now has a tab with autism resources for employees who have family members with autism. There are links and phone numbers for:
• The Psychological Clinic, part of the Department of Psychology, offers a Positive Parenting Program.
• The Autism Initiative for Research, Education and Outreach connects researchers, doctors and families to help support individuals with autism.
• IMPACT, the university's employee assistance program, provides educational materials, resources and support group information for employees with an autistic family member.
The university will have its eighth annual Topics in Child Development Conference to address needs of people with autism. The conference will be June 25-26 at the Student Center. Registration can be completed by calling the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at 330-672-3100 or online at http://www.ehhs.kent.edu/PD/conferences.cfm. An itinerary can also be found online.
Contact administration reporter Nicole Stempak at nstempak@kent.edu.
| Why this story matters to you While Steuernagel fought hard for the university to cover autism benefits, officials say they don't because there's "no medical treatment." |
Steuernagel's 18-year-old son, Sky Walker, was diagnosed with autism shortly before his 3rd birthday. Steuernagel died in early February, and Walker has been charged with her murder.
Steuernagel's death has raised questions about the university's benefits coverage for autism.
The university's medical plan pays the fees to diagnose someone with autism but will not provide continuing treatment support.
Benefits manager Loretta Shields said the university's coverage policy is not new and is standard medical practice for most businesses.
| What is autism? Autism is a developmental disorder of brain functions, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There is no cure, but early educational intervention may improve social development and reduce undesirable behaviors. Overcoming obstacles In tomorrow's Stater, read one man's story of his journey through life living with Asperger's Syndrome. |
"There is no cure for it, so there is no medical treatment for them," Shields said.
The university does not provide ongoing coverage because autism appears to present similar issues to those exhibited by individuals who are diagnosed with Down syndrome or other mental disabilities.
According to a letter in e-Inside by Willis Walker, vice president for human resources, treatments for all these conditions are not medical in nature but are primarily developmental issues relating to social and learning skills.
"There's no pill for autism," said Barbara Taub, an occupational therapist from Cleveland. "If there were, that would be wonderful."
Instead, Taub said doctors can prescribe medication or treatment methods to treat the symptoms of the disorder.
"It's more therapeutic," she said. "For example, for people who have sleeping issues, you can prescribe sleeping pills."
Shields said she did not know of a medication specifically for autism.
"The treatment might be for depression, and that would be covered," she said. "It depends on what the diagnosis is."
Still, Taub said the need for funding for autism research and treatment is a growing one.
"Some families have to explore alternate forms of therapy and will have to pay out of pocket," she said. "It's a huge, huge need, and it's something that needs to be dealt with early on in their life."
In light of Steuernagel's death, Kent State's human resources Web site now has a tab with autism resources for employees who have family members with autism. There are links and phone numbers for:
• The Psychological Clinic, part of the Department of Psychology, offers a Positive Parenting Program.
• The Autism Initiative for Research, Education and Outreach connects researchers, doctors and families to help support individuals with autism.
• IMPACT, the university's employee assistance program, provides educational materials, resources and support group information for employees with an autistic family member.
The university will have its eighth annual Topics in Child Development Conference to address needs of people with autism. The conference will be June 25-26 at the Student Center. Registration can be completed by calling the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at 330-672-3100 or online at http://www.ehhs.kent.edu/PD/conferences.cfm. An itinerary can also be found online.
Contact administration reporter Nicole Stempak at nstempak@kent.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 30
no way
posted 4/28/09 @ 1:24 AM EST
this is ridiculous. who cares if it is "standard" for most businesses? the employees of Kent State are hardworkers (i say this as a 22yr old STUDENT) and deserve better. (Continued…)
ZT
posted 4/28/09 @ 6:13 AM EST
"There is no cure for it, so there is no medical treatment for them," Shields said.
Last I checked, there wasn't a cure for cancer, or the common cold for that matter, either. (Continued…)
Heidi Bauer
posted 4/28/09 @ 8:08 AM EST
As a mother of a seven year old son with Asperger's Syndrome which falls on the Autism spectrum, I was appalled at the ignorance of this comment: "'There is no cure for it, so there is no medical treatment for them,' Shields said. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 4/28/09 @ 9:15 AM EST
ther·a·py
Pronunciation: \?ther-?-p?\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ther·a·pies
Etymology: New Latin therapia, from Greek therapeia, from therapeuein
Date: circa 1846
: therapeutic treatment especially of bodily, mental, or behavioral disorder
"According to a letter in e-Inside by Willis Walker, vice president for human resources, treatments for all these conditions are not medical in nature but are primarily developmental issues relating to social and learning skills. (Continued…)
Shameful KSU
posted 4/28/09 @ 4:38 PM EST
As a tribute to Trudy Steuernagel Kent State should go above and beyond and provide benefits for the treatment of autism to all their employees.
Isn't this the least they could do?
To hopefully help prevent a tragedy in the future?
And Loretta Shields your comments about autism are insensitive. (Continued…)
ZT
posted 4/29/09 @ 6:43 PM EST
"Or...this bit of info from the current issue of 'Pipeline'...
...April is Autism Awareness Month and Alcohol Awareness Month
Autism Awareness Month
4. (Continued…)
jp
posted 5/06/09 @ 9:14 AM EST
"Benefits manager Loretta Shields said the university's coverage policy is not new and is standard medical practice for most businesses."
And that makes it right? I don't think so. (Continued…)
Brian Fellows
posted 5/12/09 @ 10:56 PM EST
Why should Kent cover murderers? It's the parents corrupt genes that are at fault, they should float the bill.
Brian Fellows
posted 5/13/09 @ 4:13 PM EST
Are you saying angels kill their own mothers Robbie Anderson?
And Mary Jo I know for a fact your lesbiano genes are corrupt. One can only hope you do not infect the rest of the population with any offspring. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 5/13/09 @ 5:52 PM EST
Oh, it's happened before and is most likely the reason for this line of posts, eh, big Bri? I mean, even gawd's angels have fought a battle or two amongst themselves if you believe all you read or hear; what could be 'crazier' than that?
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