ACA and Autism

With the current situation in our federal government thought this would be a good list for people to get an understanding of the coverage proposed in the ACA

Recent news on autism and ACA

Pew article

HHS information

Autism parents group holding conference in Madison

Here is an interesting conference this Friday and Saturday.


Autism parents group holding conference in Madison : Wsj

GENETIC DISORDER Link to autism questioned

Children with a genetic disorder known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome are often also diagnosed with autism at rates of up to 50 percent. But those children may not be autistic, according to a new study from the UC Davis MIND Institute.
The disorder is caused by the deletion of a small part of the 22nd chromosome, resulting in widely varying symptoms, such as heart abnormalities or a cleft palate. Children with the disorder also frequently suffer from developmental delay and social impairments, and 20 to 50 percent are diagnosed as falling somewhere on the autism spectrum. The risk of the disorder is about 1 in 2,000.
UC Davis researchers found that while those social impairments may mimic the features of autism, in a study of 29 children with 22q11.2, none of those children met "strict diagnostic criteria" for autism.
One noticeable difference: they often seemed to have higher levels of social motivation than children on the autism spectrum. Social deficits, researchers noted, might be more a function of developmental delay than autism.
The finding points to a need to develop different treatments for children with 22q11.2, separate from those used in children with autism. Further research is needed to determine what those more appropriate treatments might be.
The study was published online Sept. 17 in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
- Kristen V. Brown

Understanding the DSM5 Autism Spectrum Disorder changes.

Many are aware of the changes to the diagnostic criteria with the publishing of the DSM 5.  See below for some of the information on these changes.  What do you think?

From DSM.org:
One of the most important changes in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The revised diagnosis represents a new, more accurate, and medically and scientifically useful way of diagnosing individuals with autism-related disorders. Click for more information

From Autism Speaks:
Autism Speaks is pleased to provide the full-text of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the related diagnosis of social communication disorder (SCD), as they appear in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). As of May 2013, psychologists and psychiatrists will be using these criteria when evaluating individuals for these developmental disorders Click for more information

GUIDELINES & CRITERIA EXAMPLES

Call for Photos from the Autism Society

Spread the word. We are gathering photos for the Autism Society website and other national publications. Our goal is to share photos and images that reflect community experience, diversity and a day in the life of an individual with autism and their family. We are asking for your help in sending those irresistible images and memorable moments for all to see. Those wishing to submit photos should email Tonia Ferguson at media@autism-society.org. Email attachment must include high resolution JPG and photo release form. 

Role of Families on Decision-Making Groups

Role of Families on Decision-Making Groups from Serving on Groups That Make Decisions: A Guide for Families

DATE:  THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 TIME:  12-1 PM and 7-8 PM Do you want to be more involved in a decision-making group but not sure what is your role as a parent representative? Are you a decision-making group leader and want to support parents to actively participate on your group? So many times we are on committees or in meetings but don't know what the process is or how to fully participate. This workshop will give information about the roles of families in decision-making groups and tips on how to better serve the families you represent.   WI FACETS and the Parent Leadership Hub of the Statewide Personnel Development Grant have a new resource guidebook titled Serving on Groups That Make Decisions:  A Guide for Families.  This guidebook was created to support parents, educators, service providers, and other professionals serving on decision-making groups. Register for a session now by clicking a date below: Thu, Sep 19, 2013 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar. You can also register by contacting Sandra McFarland at WI FACETS - (877) 374-0511 or smcfarland@wifacets.org. Sandra will mail to you all workshop materials and provide you with the toll-free number to call in for the workshop.  Save time and register online at www.wifacets.org.