Who We Are
The Wisconsin Autism Providers Association (WAPA) is an industry association of providers of autism treatment serving over 2,000 children in Wisconsin annually. Our mission is to provide access to quality treatment to ALL Wisconsin families impacted by autism. WAPA member companies have over 2,500 employees in Wisconsin reaching children in over 55 counties with a significant presence in all major metropolitan and many rural areas. Learn more about our members here.
The Wisconsin Autism Providers Association (WAPA) is an industry association of providers of autism treatment serving over 2,000 children in Wisconsin annually. Our mission is to provide access to quality treatment to ALL Wisconsin families impacted by autism. WAPA member companies have over 2,500 employees in Wisconsin reaching children in over 55 counties with a significant presence in all major metropolitan and many rural areas. Learn more about our members here.
The Impact of Autism Treatment
WAPA members provide treatment for autism using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA therapy has been deemed effective by the National Institute for Mental Health, National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Numerous research studies validate the efficacy of ABA treatment. Treatment at an early age is critical to achieving best outcomes for a child with autism, including allowing many to make significant gains in: language acquisition, executive functioning, reducing problem behaviors, improving socialization skills, and returning many to school to be with their peers.
WAPA members provide treatment for autism using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA therapy has been deemed effective by the National Institute for Mental Health, National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Numerous research studies validate the efficacy of ABA treatment. Treatment at an early age is critical to achieving best outcomes for a child with autism, including allowing many to make significant gains in: language acquisition, executive functioning, reducing problem behaviors, improving socialization skills, and returning many to school to be with their peers.
Current Goals of WAPA
- 1) Increase access to treatment for children in Wisconsin by eliminating waitlists for treatment.
- 2) Decrease open positions for children currently receiving autism treatment.
- 3) Increase reimbursement rates on Medicaid treatment. Low reimbursement rates are the
- primary causes of client demand exceeding the supply of providers and open positions due to
- low wages that providers can afford to pay.
- 4) Collaborate among providers in Wisconsin to establish a state-wide network of resources for
- families to ensure children have access to high quality autism resources in their area.
- 5) Collaborate with funding sources to establish administrative processes that facilitate client
- access to quality treatment.
Our Collaboration with the Autism Community
WAPA seeks to collaborate with autism advocacy groups, community groups, professional organizations, DHS/Medicaid and insurance companies. We believe we have many goals in common in serving the autism community. WAPA has received endorsements from the Autism Society of Northeast Wisconsin, the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin, and Bridge the Gap for Autism. As providers of autism treatment to children in the areas we serve, WAPA member companies make their own, independent decisions about clinical treatment and client access.
WAPA seeks to collaborate with autism advocacy groups, community groups, professional organizations, DHS/Medicaid and insurance companies. We believe we have many goals in common in serving the autism community. WAPA has received endorsements from the Autism Society of Northeast Wisconsin, the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin, and Bridge the Gap for Autism. As providers of autism treatment to children in the areas we serve, WAPA member companies make their own, independent decisions about clinical treatment and client access.
For more information membership, please contact us. Spread the word about WAPA by downloading our flyer here.