Can a Fruit Fly Help Explain Autism?

For President Obama, 2013 wasn't just the year of Obamacare. It was also the year of the brain.In April, Obama announced his Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies — an effort to unlock "the mystery of the three pounds of matter that sits between our ears."

State Delays KareCare for People with Developmental Disabilities

When the state announced Friday that it would delay bringing long-term support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into KanCare – the state’s privatized Medicaid program – Aldona Carney was thrilled.

That move had been scheduled to take place Jan. 1, despite the efforts of advocates of the developmentally disabled to delay or prevent it.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/12/27/3198609/state-to-delay-kancare-for-those.html#storylink=cpy

A Holiday Treat: 'Nutcracker' Comes to Life in Autism-Friendly Way

Bravo to Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for offering this.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh is a leader in making its performing arts accessible for people with disabilities — whether it’s a physical impairment, visual impairment, hearing impairment or a developmental disability.

“The Lion King’s” autism-friendly performance filled the Benedum Center’s 2,800 seats in September. Pittsburgh was only the third city in the country to offer it.

Now, Pittsburgh is the first to offer an autism-friendly “Nutcracker” performance at the Benedum Center Dec. 27.

New School Filling an Educational Void

One of those times we are proud to share a story about our elementary school -- Manhattan Star Academy -- for children with special needs.

Manhattan Star Academy, a privately-funded, non-profit school, hopes to bring to the Upper West side and Manhattan something that many parents of special needs children feel is lacking in the city school system: a place for their child.The Academy is part of the YAI network, a network of schools, training and health and human service agencies in New York and New Jersey that focuses on special needs children, teens and adults. Manhattan Star Academy is in its fledgling stages, with 10 children enrolled at the YAI Central Building in Chelsea. But by next year, the school for children ages 5-12 (the first school in the network above the preschool level), hopes to be open at their new Upper West side location, for 55 students eventually, right around the corner from Lincoln Center.

Officials: Hundreds Deprived Services at Washington State Residential Center

SEATTLE — Last month, federal regulators determined that Washington state has for two years illegally denied needed services to 27 developmentally disabled residents at a Spokane-area facility.

It turns out the problem is much bigger.

Hundreds of residents may have been deprived of so-called specialized services — such as behavioral therapy, personal-care training and skill-building exercises — for as long as 21 years, state officials told The Seattle Times last week.

A Visit with Santa Minus Fanfare

There was little fanfare at this meeting with Santa Claus.

There was no music playing, no lights twinkling and, perhaps most importantly, no crowds gathering. But the sober staging belied the excitement felt by the parents who brought their children, hoping this visit with St. Nick would be a successful one.

Nonprofit Law Seeks to Cut Red Tape

A new law signed by New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo should make operations easier and less onerous for nonprofit organizations, while allowing for improved governance.

The Nonprofit Revitalization Act of 2013 was designed by a coalition of nonprofit leaders, attorneys and a bipartisan group of legislators from across the state. It is the first major overhaul of nonprofit law in more than 40 years.