SPRINGFIELD – Realizing that Illinois does not have enough clinicians authorized to diagnose autism, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a new law to ensure early identification of autism in children, as well as medical and educational support.
“Due to the current shortage of medical professionals allowed to diagnose autism, children are waiting up to two years for an autism evaluation, which leaves families without support during their children’s critical early years,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We need to make sure children can receive evaluations in an appropriate time, and that they receive the support they need for a successful educational career and life.”
Currently, psychologists and pediatricians are able to diagnose children with autism spectrum disorders, but speech-language pathologists cannot. Loughran Cappel’s law will allow speech-language pathologists to diagnose children under the age of three with autism spectrum disorders, as long as the pathologist has autism diagnostic evaluation training and the child receives services within the early intervention team-based system.
To mitigate working families’ cost barriers, the law will also ensure that insurance companies cover children receiving a speech-language pathologist’s diagnosis. This coverage will apply to families receiving Medicaid as well.
“If we want to expand the number of people who can diagnose autism, speech-language pathologists are a natural place to start since they already have social communication training,” said Loughran Cappel. “The goal of this law is to improve access to care for children with autism and help their families better navigate the behavioral health system.”
House Bill 5225 was signed into law July 10 and takes effect Jan. 1, 2028.
