The Council of Autism Service Providers:
A Comprehensive Look at CASP’s Initiatives and Resources

Jacqueline Weber, PhD, BCBA-D, David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D and Saikiran Reddy Battula (Extern)
Association for Science in Autism Treatment

Authors’ Note:  We would like to thank Andy Beres, Director of Marketing and Communications, for his helpful suggestions and support in the development of this article and this dedicated issue of Science in Autism Treatment.

 

 

The Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) is a prominent non-profit trade association that supports autism service providers across the U.S. and beyond. CASP fosters collaboration, upholds accreditation standards, advocates for better policy, and offers continuing education.

Founded from a collaborative need identified during the 2009 Council on Autism Services Conference, CASP was officially incorporated in 2015. It serves as a national resource in areas including accreditation, best-practice guidelines, and health insurance navigation. CASP has almost 400 organizational members and grows every year. Its extensive membership benefits include special interest groups that provide a community forum for collaborative problem solving), advocacy and public policy resources, exclusive webinars, an annual conference, a leadership summit, a CEO retreat, and advocacy events in Washington D.C.

The goals of CASP are as follows:

• • Ensure quality, safe, effective care.
  • Promote continuous quality improvement.
  • Help ensure that the money spent for care and treatment is directed to the most effective, evidence-based practices.
  • Represent care providers to government, payers, and the public.
  • Write and share public policies that balance effective treatment and economic principles (CASP, 2024).

Resources

CASP offers a range of valuable resources for both autism service providers and consumers. Some resources are accessible to non-members, while others are available exclusively to members. These CASP Resources include:

• • Educational Resources: Recognized by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) as an Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) provider, CASP offers a comprehensive CEU library of over 75 events addressing topics that include ethics concerns (such as the use of artificial intelligence in behavioral healthcare) client advocacy, the importance of cultural diversity to supporting clients, inter-disciplinary collaboration, navigating healthcare with updated information on CPT codes, TRICARE policy, ABA authorization and appeals, and strategies to improve adult outcomes. CASP also offers an eight-hour supervision training program to satisfy the BACB supervision requirements. Finally, CASP hosts the PodCASP, a podcast discussing topics related to autism and ABA. Episodes cover CASP’s founding, the Global Autism Project, and the Autism Commission on Quality.

• • Standards and Guidelines:
    • CASP offers ABA Practice Guidelines formally titled “Applied Behavior Analysis Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder- Guidance for Healthcare Funders, Regulatory Bodies, Service Providers, and Consumers” which, is in its third  edition. The guidelines— available to both members and non-members—covers the following topics: an introduction to ASD and ABA; overviews of BCBA licensure; staffing and service models; medical necessity in relation to the management of healthcare resources; individualizing ABA services, including assessments, treatment, planning, and implementation; collaboration in service delivery; and transition and discharge planning.
    • Organizational Guidelines—provided free of charge to member organizations and at a cost to non-members—address specific areas related to business operations (including strategic planning, human resources, and financial management), clinical operations (organizational delivery of ABA services in relation to healthcare), and risk management (reducing risk to clients, caregivers, providers, and other stakeholders).
    • Practice Parameters for Telehealth is a free guide available to both members and non-members. It offers direction on providing safe, effective, ethical telehealth services to clients. These practice parameters offer an overview of telehealth and the conditions under which it is used and benefits of telehealth and potential limitations as well as information related to risk assessment and safety planning, client prerequisite skills to participate in telehealth, caregiver involvement, informed consent, technology considerations, cultural and socioeconomic considerations, dosage of treatment, and monitoring treatment effectiveness. Finally, checklists, case examples, CPT codes with case examples, and questions to guide practitioners in effectively delivering telehealth services are also included.

• • Health Insurance Appeals Guide (HIAG): With the enactment of autism insurance mandate laws, all states require health insurance to cover treatment for people with autism spectrum disorder. For ABA services to be covered, providers must be well-versed in federal and state regulations and insurance carrier requirements. Although health insurance carriers are required to support and fund services, claims may be denied for unclear reasons— interrupting service delivery. However, navigating the health insurance appeals process can be quite daunting. CASP provides a guide to consumers and providers on how to appeal insurance claim denials This guide offers information about insurance and appeals terminology, the different types of insurance plans that a client may have, different levels of denial and appeals procedures, an overview of the Federal Parity Law and how to prove a parity violation, how to draft an appeal letter, a collection of resources for appeal writing, frequently asked questions, and additional resources. This is an essential resource for providers who are committed to evidence-based services to their clients while ensuring that they are compensated and that their clients continue to receive the services they need to be successful.

• • ABA Coding Coalition: This group—comprised of CASP, APBA, Autism Speaks, and the BACB— supports proper insurance coding based on the American Medical Associations Adaptive Behavior (ABA) services code sets.

Membership Benefits: As mentioned above, membership benefits are very comprehensive in scope and enhance professional development and the continued use of evidence-based practices. Through participation in special interest groups and state advocacy groups, individuals can access and participate in a highly collaborative provider community to share information that can improve their client services.

Other exclusive benefits of CASP membership include the following:

• • • Advocacy and public policy support, including professional lobbying representation in Washington, D.C.
    • Access to over 30 active special interest groups (SIGs).
    • Exclusive free access to Juniper’s proprietary payor rate data asset.
    • Leadership development
    • Free registration for CASP webinars and BACB CEU-bearing courses on the CASP Online CEU Center for all employees of CASP Member Organizations.
    • Member-only discounts on select CASP Business Affiliate products and services.
    • Access to the CASP Senior Executive Listserv.
    • Free access to the CASP Organizational Guidelines (an $810 value).
    • Discounted registrations to the CASP Annual Conference.
    • Frequent networking opportunities, e.g., the monthly “All-CASP Call.”
      (CASP, 2024).

To qualify for CASP membership, organizations must show a commitment to providing established, evidence-based services for autistic individuals. Requirements include employing qualified providers to implement evidence-based services for diagnosing autism, promoting skill development, and addressing maladaptive behaviors. These services must align with educational, behavioral, or medical models and avoid unestablished practices. Evidence-based services should be guided by peer-reviewed research, adapted as new findings emerge, and supported by objective data to measure progress and inform clinical decisions for effective and meaningful outcomes. Learn more about becoming a Member Organization here.

CASP Affiliate Programs and Benefits

For those who do not qualify for CASP membership, affiliate programs are available for businesses that provide service or support to autism provider organizations and allied affiliates, such as advocacy groups. In addition, university programs focused on training autism service providers in evidence-based services may also participate in an affiliate program with benefits extending to their faculty and students.

Business Affiliate Membership Benefits

Direct Engagement for CASP Business Affiliates:

• • Record a promotional webinar for your profile page.
  • Participate in CASP special interest groups (SIGs), subject to leader approval.
  • Submit educational (non-promotional) proposals for CASP webinars and annual conference breakout sessions.

Marketing Benefits:

• • Listed in the CASP Business Affiliate Directory with a customized profile page, including logo, company overview, contact info, and links.
  • Permission to display the CASP Business Affiliate logo on your materials.
  • Option to offer discounts to CASP Member organizations.
  • Exclusive conference benefits, including a 50 percent discount on booth fees, early booth selection, upgraded logo placement, attendee list access, social media recognition, and optional hotel branding.

Additional Exposure:

• • Featured in a CASP newsletter once per renewal period.
  • Encouraged to support CASP’s mission by promoting news and events.

Training Affiliate Membership Benefits

For Full-Time Faculty:

Networking & Collaboration:

• • Engage with CASP Members and Affiliates through SIGs to:
    • Find practicum sites, guest speakers, and in-service opportunities.
    • Build research partnerships, identify practical issues, and recruit participants.
    • Connect with peers in a dedicated Faculty SIG.

Curriculum Resources:

• • Access CASP’s practical resources on real-world challenges (e.g., telehealth, funding, business practices).
  • Choose five CASP CEU courses for students with unlimited annual access. (Additional courses are $100 each.)
  • Access two chapters of the CASP Organizational Guidelines. (Additional chapters are $100 each.)

Professional Development:

• • Attend the Annual CASP Conference at the member rate.
  • 50 percent discount on CASP live webinars and CEU courses.

Marketing & Engagement:

• • Use the CASP Training Affiliate logo and appear in the CASP Directory.
  • Submit speaking proposals for the CASP Conference and join quarterly calls with CASP leadership.

For Students:

Career & Professional Growth:

• • Connect with job opportunities through practicum sites and virtual job fairs.
  • Free access to CASP webinars and resources as provided by faculty.
  • Attend the CASP Leadership Summit and appear in the CASP Directory if actively enrolled.

Allied Affiliate Membership Benefits

Networking and Advocacy Support:

• • Join CASP state advocacy groups (SAGs).
  • Participate in special interest groups (SIGs), subject to leader approval.
  • Quarterly calls with CASP Allied Affiliates and leadership.

Professional Development:

• • 25 percent discount on live and recorded webinars

Additional Benefits:

• • Listing in the CASP Allied Affiliate Directory.
  • Option to display the “CASP Allied Affiliate” logo on your website.

Please note: CASP does not offer individual memberships.

Accreditation: Through the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ), CASP has established an independent accreditation program for organizations to improve the quality, effectiveness, and outcomes of ABA services for clients with autism and their families. Please see the ACQ website for more information.

Advocacy: CASP actively engages in federal and state advocacy to amplify provider and consumer voices, focusing on adopting clinical practice guidelines and ensuring autism service providers’ inclusion in legislation. Learn more about CASP’s ongoing advocacy efforts here.

In summary, the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) stands as a central resource and advocate for autism service providers across the U.S., working to elevate care standards and support continuous improvement in autism treatment. Through its initiatives in accreditation, best practices, and health insurance navigation, CASP empowers providers with tools, guidelines, and professional development resources.

Membership in CASP opens doors to exclusive networking, advocacy, and educational opportunities, allowing members to collaborate and advance evidence-based practices. CASP’s commitment to policy support and high-quality care reflects its mission to enhance outcomes for individuals with autism and support the professionals dedicated to their care.

Reference for this article:

Weber, J., Celiberti, D., & Battula, S. (2024) The Council of Autism Service Providers: A comprehensive look at CASP’s initiatives and resources. Science in Autism Treatment, 21(12).

 

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