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Positive Development Applauds AACAP’s Call to Expand Autism Care Access and Recommendation That Payers Broaden Coverage to Include DRBI

via Business Wire

New AACAP policy statement not only recommends payers offer coverage for evidence-based developmental relationship-based therapies, but also advises all physicians consider DRBI when recommending treatment for autism

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has published a new policy statement recommending health insurers and physicians include a broader range of interventions, specifically Developmental Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBI), among recommended treatment options for all patients with autism. Positive Development, the nation’s leading provider of developmental therapy for autistic children and their families, celebrates this policy update and encourages payers to increase their autism care options to include DRBI as a covered choice for families.

“AACAP’s policy statement signifies what we’ve already recognized about the autism care market: there’s tremendous momentum building behind developmental relationship-based therapy options,” said Mike Suiters, Co-founder and CEO of Positive Development. “Now the nation’s leading physician organization and authority on children’s mental health, in addition to the AMA and AAP, is calling for payers and physicians to support clinically validated developmental interventions that families are asking for, which are also designed to improve outcomes and reduce costs.”

Autism impacts 1 in 31 children according to the CDC’s latest prevalence study, yet access to services remains a challenge nationwide. AACAP’s guidance reinforces the need for quality, alternative, evidence-based interventions that address the diversity of the autism spectrum.

Positive Development President Chad Pomeroy added: “I can’t understate the importance of this national medical association’s recognition of our lower intensity, lower utilization model as an effective autism care intervention, especially for Medicaid populations where affordability and accessibly are paramount.”

Positive Development supports aligning with AACAP’s policy recommendations where payers can:

  • Reduce care costs by covering interventions that are less intensive and take an integrated approach
  • Eliminate access gaps by adding a wider range of qualified providers and settings for families to choose from
  • Support value-based care by reimbursing outcomes instead of hours of service

“Families deserve access to evidence-based therapy options that best fit their child’s needs and AACAP’s move to release this new policy statement is an important step in that direction,” said Positive Development’s Executive Medical Director, Joshua Feder, MD. “Adding DRBI as another covered option benefits everyone involved – payers, providers, and most of all, families.”

Positive Development is partnering with health plans nationwide, offering both traditional and Alternative Payment Model (APM) contracts for coverage of its high-quality, low-intensity and low-cost developmental therapy.

To learn more about Positive Development’s developmental approach to autism, please visit

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About Positive Development

Since 2020, Positive Development has been on a mission to deliver developmental therapy to as many autistic children and families as possible. Positive Development’s team represents dedicated parents, devoted family members, impassioned self-advocates and pioneering clinicians. Together, they have observed the transformative power of high-quality Developmental Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBI) therapy firsthand – personally, professionally and scientifically. As the largest provider of developmental therapy in the country, Positive Development is committed to broadening access to this life-changing approach while establishing best practices in clinical support. The company’s dedication to outcomes measurement and evaluation benefits all families served.

“AACAP’s policy statement signifies what we’ve already recognized about the autism care market: there’s tremendous momentum building behind developmental relationship-based therapy options."

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