Autistic boy's parents sue Ohio health department

CINCINNATI (AP) — Parents of an another autistic child have sued the state Department of Health and others in federal court, alleging discrimination against Ohio’s autistic children by failing to provide what the lawsuit describes as federally mandated treatment.

Gary and Nikki Ruhl of Mansfield filed suit today in U.S. District Court in Cleveland on their 3-year-old son’s behalf. A similar lawsuit filed for a southwestern Ohio autistic boy was recently settled in Cincinnati.

The Ruhls allege the health department and the coordinator of Ohio’s system providing early-intervention services for child development up to 3 years of age failed to provide necessary treatment to their son and all Ohio infants and toddlers with autism.

The health department didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.

The lawsuit seeks money for compensatory treatment and damages.