Cincinnati parents of autistic boy sue Ohio Department of Health over treatment

CINCINNATI (AP) -- The parents of an autistic toddler are suing the Ohio Department of Health and others, accusing them of denying what the parents say is 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.

The lawsuit says the state is discriminating against Roman and other autistic children in Ohio by refusing to provide intensive treatment known as applied behavioral analysis.

A health department spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.