NRS427A.875. Autism Treatment Assistance Program: Creation; duties; requirements for plan of treatment developed for participants; policies and services provided to be approved by Nevada Autism Task Force.

      1.  There is hereby established the Autism Treatment Assistance Program within the Division to serve as the primary autism program within the Department and to provide and coordinate the provision of services to persons with autism spectrum disorders through the age of 19 years.

      2.  The Autism Treatment Assistance Program shall:

      (a) Prescribe an application process for parents and guardians of persons with autism spectrum disorders to participate in the Program.

      (b) Provide for the development of a plan of treatment for persons who participate in the Program.

      (c) Promote the use of evidence-based treatments which are cost effective and have been proven to improve treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

      (d) Educate parents and guardians of persons with autism spectrum disorders on autism spectrum disorders and the assistance that may be provided by the parent or guardian to improve treatment outcomes.

      (e) Establish and use a system for assessing persons with autism spectrum disorders to determine a baseline to measure the progress of and prepare a plan for the treatment of such persons.

      (f) Assist parents and guardians of persons with autism spectrum disorders in obtaining public services that are available for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

      3.  A plan of treatment developed for a person who participates in the Program pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2 must:

      (a) Identify the specific behaviors of the person to be addressed and the expected outcomes.

      (b) Include, without limitation, preparations for transitioning the person from one provider of treatment to another or from one public program to another, as the needs of the person require through the age of 19 years.

      (c) Be revised to address any change in the needs of the person.

      4.  The policies of the Autism Treatment Assistance Program and any services provided by the Program must be developed in cooperation with and be approved by the Nevada Autism Task Force created by section 40 of chapter 348, Statutes of Nevada 2007, or its successor organization.

      5.  As used in this section, “autism spectrum disorder” means a neurobiological medical condition including, without limitation, autistic disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 2704, 2714)