(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Six-year-old Logan Hilton, who is autistic, plays on his parents' bed while watching a kid's video, Friday July 27, 2012. Logan's mother, Michelle Hilton, qualifies for a new pilot program to treat Logan. The problem is she needs to contribute $6,000 to fully benefit.

Health Families must pay $6,000 per year toward treatment.

The adorable little boy wearing the backpack is 6 years old, but Logan Hilton cant hold a conversation and doesnt understand how to make friends.

A website designed to raise $12,000 for two years of Applied Behavior Analysis autism treatment for him explains that without help, "Logan would require constant costly care for the rest of his life."

Utahs two-year autism treatment pilot, which launched this year, is intended to help kids like Logan. His mom works for the Department of Corrections, and as the child of a public employee, he can now receive up to $30,000 worth of behavioral treatment each year.

The problem is that families covered by the Public Employees Health Program still need to contribute $6,000 annually to take advantage of the maximum state benefit.

"Im grateful for it, but at the same time its not enough," said his mom, Michelle Hilton. "They havent made it affordable enough."

The Eagle Mountain mom believes more families would have participated if the requirements paying 20 percent of the cost, and open only to children from age 2 to 6 had been more flexible.

Only 25 children are signed up for the 50 autism pilot slots in the PEHP portion.

"I think because of that age limit we dont capture all of the autistic kids in our population," said Toan Lam, the PEHP medical director.

Read the original:
Utah autism solution continues to frustrate parents