Children with Down syndrome are amazing communicators, but sometimes their verbal language skills are a little behind their other developmental milestones. Speech therapy is a critical tool that helps them get the verbal language skills they need for successful socialization. Despite this, insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) often deny coverage of speech therapy.

We learned this when our daughter Lila attended speech therapy over a school break. During the school year, the school provides speech therapy, but during the breaks we rely on our private insurance to get Lila the help she needs. We received a letter saying our insurance would only cover 25% of the costs. Why? Because Lila was born with Down syndrome, so the therapy wouldn’t be considered “restorative.” If Lila had had speech skills and then lost them, BCBS claims it would cover the therapy completely.

This distinction is stopping children with Down syndrome from getting the help they need. I’m calling on Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover the entire cost of my daughter’s speech therapy sessions.

I still remember Lila’s first speech therapy session. Her therapist was able to help Lila double her word count. It was amazing, and the progress since that day has continued. It has helped Lila get more out of her education and make new friends. But she needs consistency, and can’t afford to lose sessions when she is out of school because our insurance company refuses to cover the costs.

The autism community has fought and won to get across-the-board insurance coverage for these vital therapies. I want to do the same for children with Down syndrome. Blue Cross Blue Shield, please offer these children the tools they need to show the world how much they can achieve!