Search Results for: blog more about autism

Sesame Street Launches Autism Initiative

Sesame Street, a show you loved when you were a kid, and one that your kids enjoy today, has launched a major autism initiative. The program is called “See Amazing in All Children”. It is designed to foster greater understanding about autism for all children and families. There is a stigma placed upon autism that need not be there. People who do not understand autism, or who do not have anyone in their lives that has it, may harbor many misconceptions about it. The goal of the Sesame Street autism initiative is to help de-stigmatize autism (which affects one in … Continue reading →

Study Provides Clues to How Autism and Schizophrenia Develop

A study done with mice may have provided some clues about how disorders such as autism and schizophrenia develop. It seems that the genes that are connected to these two disorders might only be active for a short period of time while brain is developing. This could be a first step towards understanding more about the genetic links to the disorders. What causes autism? There have been several studies that have tried to determine the cause of autism. Many different potential factors have been identified that may, or may or may not, be a clue in the quest to find … Continue reading →

Utah Bill Would Require Coverage for Autism Treatment

Utah is one of the states that does not require private health insurance companies to cover the cost of treatment for autism. That could change, thanks to a new bill that would require private health plans to cover it. This is in response to pilot programs that failed to provide adequate coverage. Right now, there are 32 states that require all health insurance plans to cover the cost of autism treatment. Typically, this means that the insurance plan will cover applied behavioral analysis, (ABA). It is an ongoing form of treatment that can require 25 to 40 hours a week. … Continue reading →

New York Regulation Makes Autism Coverage Difficult

Insurance companies in New York are required to cover the costs of applied behavior analysis. This went into effect in 2011. Now, a new state regulation has popped up that would greatly reduce the number of providers for ABA therapy that the insurance companies would cover. This will make it harder for families to afford the therapy that their children require. In 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law that required health insurance companies to cover the cost of autism services. The insurers had to pay up to $45,000 a year for therapy and treatment, including applied behavior analysis (ABA). … Continue reading →

Teenager with Autism Wants to Become Miss America

Eighteen year old Alexis Wineman wants to become the next Miss America. She is the currently reigning Miss Montana, pretty, and has an autism spectrum disorder. If she wins the crown, she will be the very first Miss America who has autism. That is her quest. When you think about the Miss America pageant, you are either looking forward to watching it or are intending to avoid it. Beauty pageants, in general, are something that can be viewed as controversial. On the one hand, it is a contest that is primarily about the physical appearance of the contestants (all of … Continue reading →

Florida Appeals Order to Cover Autism Treatment

In March of 2012, a judge ordered the state of Florida to cover the cost of autism treatment for children who were covered by Medicaid. Private insurers had previously been required to cover it. Now, the state of Florida is appealing that decision. The state wants to decide if ABA treatment is necessary on a case by case basis. In order to fully understand this situation, you need a little background information. Applied Behavioral Analysis, (also called ABA), is a psychological form of treatment that is necessary for children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is a therapy … Continue reading →

Insurance in Ohio Now Covers Autism Treatment

The Governor of Ohio, John Kasich, has announced that many health insurance plans in the state will now cover autism services. This is excellent news for families who have been struggling to pay for the treatment their child requires without the help of their health insurance company. There is no cure for autism, but there are some forms of treatment that can help with certain symptoms. Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA therapy, is one that can help. It is a scientifically validated approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by environment. In “plain English”, it can help children … Continue reading →

Studies Show Chelation Doesn’t Help Autism

Research led by Tonya Davis from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, found that chelation therapy does not help with autism. Chelation therapy carries some safety concerns. Parents who are considering having their child go through chelation therapy for autism should keep this in mind. Chelation therapy is something that started to be used as an alternative treatment for autism based upon the theory that autism was caused by mercury poisoning. Generation Rescue believes that autism is caused by vaccinations. SafeMinds believes that autism is caused by mercury, and other toxicants, from vaccines or environmental exposure. The Mayo Clinic says: Chelation … Continue reading →

Parents of Kids with Autism Worry About Stigma

Parents of children who have autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome, are concerned. They worry that their child will now be stigmatized because of all the talk that indicated that the shooter in Connecticut had Asperger’s Syndrome. Autism Speaks has some helpful advice. Let me briefly summarize the background of this topic, for those who are unaware. First, there was the tragedy in Connecticut that happened when Adam Lanza went into an elementary school and started shooting. Following the tragedy, there were many responses. The President made a public speech. Several bloggers (myself included) wrote about some aspect of what happened. People … Continue reading →

A Roundup of Resources About Autism

Parenting, in general, is a situation that involves asking a lot of questions. What’s the right thing to do in this situation? What milestones should my child have made by now? Is that “normal”? Parents of children who have autism can consult some of the following resources. The answer to your question may be hiding in there, somewhere. It is fairly easy to go online and find general parenting advice for children who do not have any types of special needs. It’s not as simple to locate online resources that can advise parents of children who have autism, or that … Continue reading →