A Colorado board has clarified new rules for professionals working with children on the autism spectrum, following worries by some that hundreds of families might lose access to services as a result of a regulatory change.

Over the summer, the department announced it will soon require all behavior technicians — professionals who work with children on the autism spectrum undergoing applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy — to be nationally certified to treat Medicaid patients.

There are three recognized certifications for behavior technicians: applied behavioral analysis technician or ABAT; board certified autism technician or BCAT; and registered behavior technician or RBT.

Some noticed that Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s Medical Services Board appeared poised to allow only two, potentially leaving the BCAT-certified individuals out of work.

Following the confusion, the board met with groups last month and updated its rules based on the feedback, including clarifying that it will accept individuals with BCAT certifications.

During a meeting last week, autism therapy providers told the board they support the certification requirement, but requested more time for behavior technicians to obtain theirs.

The board decided to postpone voting on the rule until its next meeting on Jan. 9.

Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, CEO of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, said behavior technicians are a critical resource for children on the autism spectrum undergoing a type of therapy known as applied behavior analysis or ABA.

Granpreeseh said her centers, which have locations around the country including several in Colorado, use BCAT for their behavior technicians.

“In my opinion, it’s a little bit stronger,” she said. “Their test is a little bit harder, and it has some additional regulations that we think provide additional safety.”

Anahita Lake-Khosravi, a psychologist at Empowered Living Collective in Denver, agrees that behavior technicians should have to go through some form of standardized training, as long as it isn’t proving to be too much of a barrier:

“I do think that it makes sense for this to be how it is so that not just anybody off the street can come in and provide care for autistic individuals without having some sort of buy-in,” she said. “It’s a tough one because gatekeeping puts this barrier behind it, but ultimately we want people who are invested, who understand this world, and have knowledge of this world, to be able to work with these kids best.”