Proposed Law Cracks Down on Fake Autism Therapists

[Guest guest]

State lawmakers and autism advocates are proposing measures to protect autistic

children from people such as Lore, the woman convicted of misrepresenting

herself as an autism therapist.

On Monday, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, including Sen. Bob Duff,

D-Norwalk; Senate Majority Leader Looney, D-New Haven; and House Minority

Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, announced legislation that would crack down

on people who falsify credentials to treat children with autism. They were

joined by parents and autism advocacy groups.

The proposed bill would make it illegal to falsely claim certification from the

Behavior Analyst Certification Board, a Florida-based national nonprofit

corporation that certifies the qualifications of professionals who have been

trained and passed exams in behavior analysis and treatment for autism spectrum

disorders.

Under the proposed Connecticut law, the penalty for this criminal offense would

be as much as five years in prison and a fine of up to $500, with each instance

of patient contact or consultation constituting a separate offense. If passed,

the penalties would apply for fraudulently posing as a speech, occupational or

physical therapist. The bill awaits a hearing in the Public Health committee.

“The purpose of the bill is to close the loop and ensure that state is much

more specific about cases like Lore,†said Duff. “Through this

legislation, we are sending a message that the long arm of the law is going to

protect these kids.†Lore had pleaded guilty to larceny, fraud and

misrepresenting her credentials.

“Because of Lore, my son lost a critical window of opportunity,†says

Kim Graham whose son was a preschooler treated by Lore in Norwalk. Graham, who

attended the news conference, said that correct autism therapy from 2 to 5 is

critical. “The right type of therapy can drastically improve autistic behavior

and bad therapy is worse than no therapy.â€

Lore of Carmel, N.Y., was sentenced last year to three years in prison for

larceny for falsely claiming to have advanced degrees and certification to

provide autism therapy. Lore, whose education consisted of a GED, ran a

Norwalk-based business called Spectrum Kids that billed Norwalk and Weston

school systems for more than $400,000.

Suzanne Letso, president of CEO of the Connecticut Center for Child Development

who spoke in support of the bill, says ideally there should be state licensure

for autism therapists. She said, however, that licensing would require money and

time. “This bill is proactive and can be put in place immediately. It lays the

groundwork for future legislation.†Although the number of autism cases in the

state and across the country is increasing, Letso says autism services have not

been well regulated. “It’s been the Wild West.â€

As well as being a deterrent to potential fraud, this new law would encourage

more people to become certified, Letso said. “We need good people who are

qualified.â€