When I was a reporter at a local daily newspaper, our staff spend great energy researching and writing about issues around the world—events like the first Gulf War, say, or budget battles in Washington—and figuring out how to explain those events and how they influenced people's lives where we lived and worked. Finding the right connections took a lot of looking around. It seems like nowadays that one doesn't need to go looking: the events come right to you.
Such is the case with one of Autism Bulletin's readers, a family who is losing a chunk of its respite help for an autistic child because of the infamous Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme. Madoff, 70, pled guilty in court this week and was sent directly to prison to await sentencing for a scheme in which he bilked thousands of customers of more than $50 billion by promising healthy returns on fictitious investments. The assets that went in were real. But most of it appears gone, as government investigators and lawyers for the clients continue their hunt.
That much you may learned already through the media. The way this affects the family with an autistic child is a simple chain reaction of financial losses, a supply chain of scandal that takes away the respite services. It goes like this:
1.) Madoff's Ponzi scheme bilks investors.
2.) Among the many investors is the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation, founded in 1961 as a philanthropic organization, which "supports Arts and Culture, Education, Health and Hospitals, Jewish Causes and Social Welfare programs in Greater Boston and Palm Beach County, Florida."
3.) The Shapiro Foundation announces it will suspend grants for 2009 as a result of its losses in the Madoff scheme.
4.) Among the grant recipients was a community center south of Boston, which provided the respite care. Without the grant money from the Shapiro Foundation, our Autism Bulletin reader reports, the respite program shuts down.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Autism Readings, Resources from Around the Web
I found these articles, resources and related items of interest for families of kids with autism spectrum disorders. I have found the web application Twitter to be a useful way to share interesting items online (at a higher frequency rate than I recently have been able to post articles on this blog). Below are links to the items, which you can also find at Twitter.com/autismbulletin. Below is a sampling from the past two weeks:
- Autism Society of America: copy of E-mail newsletter
- Autism Society of America: national conference, St. Charles, Ill., July 22-25
- President Obama includes funding for autism in his FY 2010 budget proposal, via Autism Speaks - read more here
- Alabama Autism Task Force report, recommendations here.
- Agenda for Flutie Foundation for Autism conference April 7 in Norwood, Mass., read here.
- Easter Seals campaign: Urge Congress to support families living with autism today: read here.
- New from Newsweek: Autism: How Childhood Vaccines Became Villains
- Toronto Jewish community holds disability awareness and inclusion events.
- U.S. National Institute of Mental Health say stimulus spending to be guided by this strategic plan: read here.
- Autism Speaks calls for $200 million for National Institutes of Health autism funding from U.S. stimulus package
- RT @UKAF: The London Guardian recently featured the UK Autism Foundation.
- Nevada considers autism insurance bill, news item via KRNV.com
- Latest edition of Positively Autism newsletter with ABA-related articles.
- New Hampshire Walk for Autism has set up website for event Oct. 4, 2009
- From Change.org, college programs for autistic students
- Wrightslaw newsletter on special ed funding in federal stimulus package
- Autism insurance coverage advocates in Kansas continue to press case in state legislature
- Autism programs take a hit, Boston Globe article on special ed budgets
- Mass. events calendar for families with special needs kids
- A journey of love and discovery as sibling of an autistic sister, from Portland Oregonian newspaper
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Third Annual ABA Autism Event February 6-8 in Jacksonville
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is holding its third annual autism conference on Feb. 6-8 in Jacksonville, Florida, with the theme, "Research to Practice: Making Real Changes in the Lives of People with Autism."
Founded in 1974, ABA International is the professional organization for behavior analysts, a group that has seen demand for its members' services rise with the population of diagnosed children with autism spectrum disorders. (See the organization's website, including this page with information for parents.)
Choices about what kinds of approaches to use for helping children with autism spectrum disorders abound, and information about alternative therapies, diets, treatments and medicines circulate around the web and among parent discussion forums. Applied behavior analysis—backed by research and evidence that when trained therapists with expert supervision deliver services, they help people gain important skills—has gained important support among autism experts, educators and the medical community. See more about ABA in the Autism Bulletin archives.
As a parent, I have found it valuable to attend educational events; it's a way to connect with both professionals who are doing research about autism and meet up with other parents. It's a way to know you are not alone. I attended the ABA International conference when it was in Boston several years ago and came away impressed by the experience and knowledge of the presenters.
This year's event will address topics such as adults with autism, ABA school programs for children, Florida's autism legislation and ways to implement successful treatments for autism. Below is a brief overview of the components of the conference.
This year's conference, "Research to Practice: Making Real Changes in the Lives of People with Autism," will host 15 distinguished ABA experts presenting resources and information that teachers, therapists and parents can use to improve the lives of those living with an autism diagnosis. Presentations will focus on a variety of topics relating to three common themes important to the future of ASD treatment methods:
· Treatment Developments - A summary of the latest progress in behavioral intervention methods and how applied behavior analysts are helping to integrate people those with ASD into the community.
· Success Stories - Using science to guide autism treatment taking a look at the most recent and reliable case studies to help determine the future of those living with ASD.
· In Their Own Words - Personal observations and recommendations from professionals and parent advocates who are most closely affected by ASD.
See below for a rundown of speakers, provided by ABA International:
ABA Autism Speakers Summary
Founded in 1974, ABA International is the professional organization for behavior analysts, a group that has seen demand for its members' services rise with the population of diagnosed children with autism spectrum disorders. (See the organization's website, including this page with information for parents.)
Choices about what kinds of approaches to use for helping children with autism spectrum disorders abound, and information about alternative therapies, diets, treatments and medicines circulate around the web and among parent discussion forums. Applied behavior analysis—backed by research and evidence that when trained therapists with expert supervision deliver services, they help people gain important skills—has gained important support among autism experts, educators and the medical community. See more about ABA in the Autism Bulletin archives.
As a parent, I have found it valuable to attend educational events; it's a way to connect with both professionals who are doing research about autism and meet up with other parents. It's a way to know you are not alone. I attended the ABA International conference when it was in Boston several years ago and came away impressed by the experience and knowledge of the presenters.
This year's event will address topics such as adults with autism, ABA school programs for children, Florida's autism legislation and ways to implement successful treatments for autism. Below is a brief overview of the components of the conference.
This year's conference, "Research to Practice: Making Real Changes in the Lives of People with Autism," will host 15 distinguished ABA experts presenting resources and information that teachers, therapists and parents can use to improve the lives of those living with an autism diagnosis. Presentations will focus on a variety of topics relating to three common themes important to the future of ASD treatment methods:
· Treatment Developments - A summary of the latest progress in behavioral intervention methods and how applied behavior analysts are helping to integrate people those with ASD into the community.
· Success Stories - Using science to guide autism treatment taking a look at the most recent and reliable case studies to help determine the future of those living with ASD.
· In Their Own Words - Personal observations and recommendations from professionals and parent advocates who are most closely affected by ASD.
See below for a rundown of speakers, provided by ABA International:
ABA Autism Speakers Summary
Monday, January 26, 2009
Massachusetts Considers Autism Insurance Bill
The Massachusetts Legislature is taking up a bill that would require private healthcare policies cover autism services such as Applied Behavior Analysis, physical and occupational therapy, diagnostic and other services. You can see a copy of House Bill 67 below. Rep. Barbara A. L'Italien, a Democrat from Andover, and Senator Frederick Berry, a Democrat from Peabody, introduced the bill earlier this month.
Advocates from AutismVotes.org, an initiative of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, have set up a website for this Massachusetts initiative. It's one of several efforts around the country to raise awareness of the issue of autism insurance, and to press for increased coverage.
The autism insurance issue has been a key legislative effort for autism advocates for quite some time. As awareness about the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has increased, so have calls for ways to help families who are thrust into finding ways to help their children, with early intervention services and special education programs. (Calls to help young adults and adults have not been as loud, but one can anticipate they will grow as the cohort grows and matures.)
In state after state (see Autism Bulletin archives for articles on South Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania and other states), the battle shapes up to be one where families and advocates point out the need for services and the health insurance industry argues the cost is too high. Massachusetts is among those states where we can expect to see that conflict play out this year.
Below are two documents (e-mail readers will see links, and blog visitors should see an image of the documents embedded in this article). The first document is a copy of House Bill 67, which calls for insurance coverage for autism services. The second document is an Autism Speaks advocacy paper, prepared in 2007, outlining the reasons for supporting this type of legislation.
MA HouseBill 0067_001 - As Introduced Jan 2009
Below, find the Autism Speaks document that lays out an argument in favor of autism insurance coverage.
Arguments for Private Insurance Coverage
Advocates from AutismVotes.org, an initiative of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, have set up a website for this Massachusetts initiative. It's one of several efforts around the country to raise awareness of the issue of autism insurance, and to press for increased coverage.
The autism insurance issue has been a key legislative effort for autism advocates for quite some time. As awareness about the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has increased, so have calls for ways to help families who are thrust into finding ways to help their children, with early intervention services and special education programs. (Calls to help young adults and adults have not been as loud, but one can anticipate they will grow as the cohort grows and matures.)
In state after state (see Autism Bulletin archives for articles on South Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania and other states), the battle shapes up to be one where families and advocates point out the need for services and the health insurance industry argues the cost is too high. Massachusetts is among those states where we can expect to see that conflict play out this year.
Below are two documents (e-mail readers will see links, and blog visitors should see an image of the documents embedded in this article). The first document is a copy of House Bill 67, which calls for insurance coverage for autism services. The second document is an Autism Speaks advocacy paper, prepared in 2007, outlining the reasons for supporting this type of legislation.
MA HouseBill 0067_001 - As Introduced Jan 2009
Below, find the Autism Speaks document that lays out an argument in favor of autism insurance coverage.
Arguments for Private Insurance Coverage
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Autism Insurance Legislation Updates
There's been a lot of activity around the country on the autism services and insurance legislation front. The chart and map below is an uploaded copy of a PDF assembled by Autism Speaks, a leading autism advocacy organization. It shows the status of insurance legislation as of December 17, 2008.
If you are receiving this by e-mail, you can find the chart by clicking here. Green states—Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas—have passed laws that "require private insurance companies to cover autism services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)."
Red states—Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia—are considering bills endorsed by Autism Speaks that reform autism insurance coverage.
The map also shows other states—most, that is—which are in some fashion starting to work on an autism insurance bill.
There have been some updates since Autism Speaks published this chart. These include:
•Washington State, where advocates today issued a press release on pending legislation. From the release:
• Kansas, where advocates report:
See the map below. (Thanks to the Washington-based autism advocates for sharing it). If you have updates or news to share about this issue, please don't hesitate to e-mail me or post a comment at the end of this blog post.
As 2009 State Initiatives12.17
If you are receiving this by e-mail, you can find the chart by clicking here. Green states—Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas—have passed laws that "require private insurance companies to cover autism services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)."
Red states—Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia—are considering bills endorsed by Autism Speaks that reform autism insurance coverage.
The map also shows other states—most, that is—which are in some fashion starting to work on an autism insurance bill.
There have been some updates since Autism Speaks published this chart. These include:
•Washington State, where advocates today issued a press release on pending legislation. From the release:
•Wisconsin, where autism advocates report: "Wisconsin's new Legislative session has begun and in it is this introduction of a Bill for Autism Insurance dated January 8th, 2009. It has been read for the first time and was referred to the committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue on the same date." According to an analysis by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau:Washington lawmakers are getting ready to consider two companions bills, HB1210 sponsored by State Representative Brendan Williams (D-22) and SB 5203 sponsored by State Senator Steve Hobbs (D-44), that will require health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment for autism spectrum disorders, including services like Applied Behavior Analysis, for individuals up to age 21.
The bills, referred to as "Shayan’s Law," follow the recommendations of the Caring for Washington Individuals with Autism Task Force in their Executive report to the Governor (December 2007). The report lists health insurance coverage of autism-related treatments within Washington State as its number one priority recommendation.
The grassroots organization, “Washington Autism Advocacy”, made up of parent volunteers, has up to the minute information about the bills on its website www.washingtonautismadvocacy.org.
Both bills were introduced in the legislature the second week of January. Once passed, they will require private insurance companies to pay for diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders, including Applied Behavior Analysis. In addition, they will remove unreasonable visit caps that have left thousands of families facing autism uninsured or under insured. Autism is a neurological condition that affects 1 out of 150 children.
51 State Representatives and 29 State Senators, who recognize the debilitating impact the autism epidemic is having on children, families and schools, have signed on as cosponsors of Shayan’s Law.
This bill requires health insurance policies and self−insured governmental and school district health plans to cover the cost of treatment for an insured for autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified if the treatment is provided by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker who is certified or licensed to practice psychotherapy, a paraprofessional working under the supervision of any of those three types of providers, or a professional working under the supervision of an outpatient mental health clinic. The coverage requirement applies to both individual and group health insurance policies and plans, including defined network plans and cooperative sickness care associations; to health care
plans offered by the state to its employees, including a self−insured plan; and to self−insured health plans of counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts. The requirement specifically does not apply to limited−scope benefit plans, medicare replacement or supplement policies, long−term care policies, or policies covering only certain specified diseases. The coverage may be subject to any limitations or exclusions or cost−sharing provisions that apply generally under the policy or plan.
• Kansas, where advocates report:
Kate's Law was filed with the Kansas Legislature on January 12, 2009 and assigned Senate Bill Number 12 (SB 12).
It has been referred to the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee (Senator Ruth Teichman, District 33, chair). Kate's Law must pass out of the Senate FI&I Committee before it can be considered by the body of the Senate. If it passes the Senate, then the process starts all over again on the House side.
Our first goal is to get an early hearing on the bill. To see how you can help, please check the KCAL website and your email regularly.
See the map below. (Thanks to the Washington-based autism advocates for sharing it). If you have updates or news to share about this issue, please don't hesitate to e-mail me or post a comment at the end of this blog post.
As 2009 State Initiatives12.17
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