Opinion: Maryland Again Fails Autism Community

Commentary from The Baltimore Sun by Ian Paregol, the executive director of Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (www.csaac.org), a Montgomery County-based nonprofit that operates an Intensive Early Intervention program for ages 18 months to 7 years, two non-public schools, 52 community residences for children and adults and a supported employment program for adults.

BALTIMORE -- This week, Michigan became the 30th state to require insurance coverage for autism therapies. Meanwhile, here in Maryland, the General Assembly has for the fourth consecutive year failed families of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders — one of our most significant national health emergencies.
Autism is a complex neurological disorder that typically impacts an individual throughout his or her lifetime. It is found in all ethnic, racial and social groups, affecting a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. Perhaps most disconcerting, the prevalence of autism is growing, up 78 percent over the last decade

Group Home Raises Concerns

This home on Salisbury Street
will be razed.

This story is just a sad reflection that the public's view of individuals with disabilities really hasn't changed at all. Read the comments when you link to the story. It's time people start seeing beyond disability and embrace diversity.

WORCESTER, Mass. --  A Brockton-based human services agency intends to operate a residential program for people with developmental disabilities at a Salisbury Street property where the existing home will be razed and replaced with a new building.

Autism, Parents and Teachers: Bridging the Communication Gap

SFGate.com autism advocate blogger Laura Shumaker touches another critical issue.

I was talking to a group of teachers last week, something I do frequently, about my experience raising a child with autism. My favorite part of these talks is the Q and A. “You can ask me anything,” I say, “and I will answer to the best of my ability.”
I get a lot of juicy questions, but there is one that I am asked most frequently:

I could do a better job if I could communicate more with parents. How can I get them to talk to me?

I flash back to the year that I was that parent, and how his teacher bridged the communication gap.

Autism Insurance Reform Bill Sent to Governor

ALBANY, N.Y. - State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R, Merrick) and Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle (D, Rochester) today announced an agreement between the Legislature and the Governor’s office in support of legislation to enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders to receive insurance coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment. The bill (S.4005-B) would save tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses spent by families caring for individuals with autism and address insurance companies’ refusal to cover costs for autism treatments and therapies.

Autism Spectrum Disorders affect individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 110 children, including 1 in 70 boys, are currently affected with autism.

The legislation, which has been approved by the Senate and the Assembly and will shortly be sent to the Governor’s office for his signature, requires insurance companies to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral health treatments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Insurance companies would be prohibited from terminating coverage or refusing to renew, adjust, amend, issue, or execute a policy solely because the individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for autism spectrum disorders.

Autsim Therapy Coverage Nears OK

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Her voice breaking, Joanne Quinn said she hopes no Rhode Island family ever again experiences what she did:

Twelve years ago, when her 4-year-old son, Patrick, was newly diagnosed with autism and barely able to talk, Quinn’s health insurer refused her request for the intensive treatment he needed. The insurer would cover only six weeks of speech therapy, Quinn recalled.

On Wednesday, Quinn, now director of the Autism Project, joined others at a State House news conference marking House and Senate passage of companion bills to require health insurers to cover up to $32,000 a year in autism diagnosis and treatment, including behavioral therapies that have proven effective in improving a child’s quality of life.

The bills, identical compromise versions that involved extensive negotiations with health insurers, would cover children until their 15th birthdays.

As Autism Cases Rise, So Do Costs

Nice work by WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh - taking a look at the state's rise in autism and the costs that keep on rising. Be sure to check out the video as well as the print story.
PITTSBURGH -- Some 25,000 people in Pennsylvania have an autism diagnosis. As WTAE-TV continues its look at autism, on Wednesday Channel 4 Action News anchor Michelle Wright focused on how much money the state is dedicating to helping those individuals.
Wright reported that the cost for each person with autism is $3.2 million over a lifetime.
Parents Of Autistic Children Demand Answers About Waiting List
Research has proven that the earlier the treatment starts, the better the result. But the treatment can be expensive and overwhelming.