Parents sue state over coverage for autistic son's treatment

The parents of an autistic toddler are suing the Ohio Department of Health and others, accusing them of denying federally mandated treatment for their son in a case that could affect how other autistic children are cared for in the state.   The lawsuit was filed last week in federal court in Cincinnati by Robert and Holly Young, of Williamsburg. Their son, Roman, has been diagnosed with moderate to severe autism, a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties communicating and emotional detachment.  The lawsuit says the state is discriminating against Roman and other autistic children by refusing to provide intensive treatment known as applied behavioral analysis.   Department of Health spokesman Robert Jennings said Friday federal guidelines don't specifically require states to provide applied behavioral analysis.