Friday, July 31, 2009

Friday Facts from NAMI National: July 31, 2009




Friday Facts

July 31, 2009

From NAMI National

New Announcements

  • NAMIWalks - Surging Across America, Raising Community Awareness
  • Register for SAMHSA's Teleconference "Moving Towards Social Inclusion"
  • August Adult "Ask the Doctor" Call with Guest Dr. Ken Minkoff
  • NAMI Identity Guide Updates
  • NAMI is Moving!
  • New Publication on Policy and Service Recommendations for GLBTQI Mental Health
  • "You Oughta be in pictures, You're wonderful to see"

Repeated Announcements

NAMI Education and Program Information

Repeated Announcements

  • Notice to Family-to-Family State Trainers and State Program Directors

Deadlines and Dates to Remember


From NAMI National

NAMIWalks - Surging Across America, Raising Community Awareness

The first NAMIWALK of the Fall season arrives on August 1st in Honolulu, Hawaii at Skygate/Fasi Municipal Bldg. & City Hall/King St. This is their third Walk and they are working hard toward their $75,000 goal.

After a successful Spring season when many Walks had their best years ever and broke records for number of walkers and funds raised, the Fall season looks to be even better with another 35 more Walks scheduled.

If you are reading this and are near one of the 80 NAMIWalks being organized for 2009, get connected and join the fun!

In the 6 years since its inception, NAMIWalks for the Mind of America has become the largest national mental health awareness event and one of the fastest growing programs of it kind. More than 250,000 walkers have participated, raising over $30 million to fund state and local NAMI advocacy, education and support programs. To find the NAMIWalk nearest you, visit NAMI's Web site.

Register for SAMHSA's Teleconference "Moving Towards Social Inclusion"

SAMHSA's Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health invites you to register now for a free teleconference training titled, "Moving Towards Social Inclusion."

Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Eastern Time)

To register for this training teleconference, please click here for the registration page.

Please pass this invitation along to interested friends and colleagues.

Please note: Registration for this teleconference will close at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, August 18, 2009.

August Adult "Ask the Doctor" Call with Guest Dr. Ken Minkoff

Save the Date: Friday August 28th, 2009

Please join us for our monthly adult issues conference call with NAMI's Medical Director Dr. Ken Duckworth, and guest Dr. Ken Minkoff. Dr. Minkoff is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a senior systems consultant for ZiaPartners in San Rafael, CA. He is recognized as one of the nation's leading experts on integrated treatment of individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance disorders. The topic of the call will be "Systems Change for Dual Diagnosis."

The call is toll free and scheduled from 11-12:30 Eastern Time on Friday, August 28th. To access the call, please dial 1-888-858-6021; access number 309918. This call can be made from any phone.

If you have any questions, please contact Bianca Ruffin.

NAMI Identity Guide Updates

NAMI has a new editorial style guide, available both in English and in Spanish as well as a new, expanded color palette. NAMI's editorial style is based on the Associated Press style book.

Check out all of the useful tools the Identity Guide has to offer, including downloadable templates for business cards, letterhead and more.

Also new in the Identity Guide is the NAMI Hearts and Minds logo.

And don't forget to grab your MIAW logo if you're planning activities around Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Both logos are available here along with many other NAMI logos.

NAMI is Moving!

As of August 20, 2009 NAMI's new address will be 3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington VA, 22203-1701. Please make note of this change and share it with all of your NAMI friends.

New Publication on Policy and Service Recommendations for GLBTQI Mental Health

GLBTQI Mental Health: Recommendations for Policies and Services is a companion resource guide to the previously released booklet, A Mental Health Recovery and Community Integration Guide for GLBTQI Individuals: What You Need to Know, providing important considerations for service providers and policy makers, including an assessment of the barriers faced by GLBTQI individuals seeking mental health care, recommendations for practical strategies to address these barriers and a resource list.

Both publications were developed in partnership by the UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration and the NAMI Multicultural Action Center with feedback and guidance from focus groups conducted by the authors with the Pink & Blues support group (Philadelphia) and the NAMI GLBT Leaders Group.

Both guides can be accessed from the NAMI Web site.

"You Oughta be in pictures, You're wonderful to see"

As the Little Jack Little song suggests, you CAN be in pictures ... and support NAMI Maine, too.

Bid today in the online auction for a walk-on role on FX Network's legal thriller Damages.

Take this once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a walk-on role on this exciting dramatic series, courtesy of the one and only award winning, GLENN CLOSE.

Bid now * Bid often * Pass along!

Board of Directors' Elections

NAMI bids a fond farewell to outgoing NAMI National board members Anand Pandya, M.D. (Los Angeles, Calif.), Fred Frese, Ph.D. (Hudson, Ohio), Suzanne Clifford (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Nancy Carter (Los Angeles, Calif.). Taking their places are Henry Acosta (Bordentown, New Jersey), Lynda Cutrell (Marblehead, Mass.), Ralph Nelson (Visalia, Calif.) and Jim Payne (Falls Church, Va.) were elected to the board; incumbent Dave Lushbaugh (Atlanta, Ga.) was re-elected for a second term. Board members serve three-year terms and may seek to serve two consecutive terms.

The board elected its officers for 2009 - 2010: Stephen Feinstein, Ph.D. (Louisburg, Kan.) was elected as president; Sheila Amdur (West Hartford, Conn.) as first vice president; Carol Caruso (Collegeville, Penn.) moving from secretary to second vice president; Guyla Daley (Hilton Head, S.C.)will continue as treasurer; and Keris Jän Myrick (Pasadena, Calif.) as secretary.

Continuing their service on the board are Clarence Jordan (Memphis, Tenn.), H. Richard Lamb, M.D. (San Marino, Calif.), Joseph Mucenski (Tucson, Ariz.), Marty Raaymakers (Port Huron, Mich.), Clarice Raichel (Lake Charles, La.), and Kevin Sullivan (West Hartford, Conn.).

NAMILand at Your Fingertips

All of the great resources that were displayed in NAMILand at this year's national convention are available at NAMI's Web site.

You will also find many of the speaker handouts and powerpoint presentation available for download at this site.

NAMI Launches new 2009 "Puzzle Pieces" Public Service Announcement Campaign

NAMI Launches new 2009 "Puzzle Pieces" Public Service Announcement Campaign. NAMI's PSA initiative encourages people to connect with each other through NAMI to help themselves and others affected by mental illness. The PSA initiative includes TV, Radio, Web banner, outdoor and print options. In addition to NAMI national's distribution effort, NAMI affiliates can engage through supporting the effort by contacting stations in their media market areas who have received the PSA and/or purchasing PSAs for a supplemental distribution.

Listen and watch the new 2009 NAMI "Puzzle Pieces" PSA! Engage in this effort to help make NAMI a household name. For complete information, visit the NAMI Web site.

New NAMI Report on American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health

NAMI is happy to announce the release of the proceedings report of the NAMI American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Mental Health Listening Session. Based on this listening session-a meeting of national experts on AI/AN mental health-the report identifies the participants' recommendations for mental health systems and NAMI to more successfully engage and support AI/AN communities.

Click here for more information and to access the proceedings report of the NAMI AI/AN Listening Session.

New Guide to Translating Materials for States and Affiliates

The Multicultural Action Center has added a new guide on translating materials. This translation guide provides key definitions and steps for consideration when translating a NAMI resource, such as identifying your target audience and choosing a translator.

Access NAMI's new "Guidelines for Translation of Materials" here.

This guide is part of our cadre of existing helpful tools that address common needs of NAMI state organizations and local affiliates embarking in outreach initiatives including "Basic Steps for Successful Multicultural Outreach," the NAMI Multicultural Outreach Planning Guide, and "Collecting Race and Ethnicity Data." Access and download all of these resources by visiting the Multicultural Action Center resources page.

Resources and Publicity Tools for Promoting Mental Illness Awareness Week are Now Available!

MIAW 2009: Now available on the NAMI Web site: information resources and publicity tools for promoting Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), October 4 - 10, 2009, in your area, including a logo, sticker and poster (both English and Spanish-language versions), as well as model materials for work with the media and public events.

The materials are offered in easy, downloadable format. You can print them from your computer or supply them to your local print shop.

For complete instructions on how to use these resources, please refer to the comprehensive Idea Book on NAMI's MIAW Web site.

NAMI Education and Program Information

Notice to Family-to-Family State Trainers and State Program Directors

2009 Family-to-Family Trainer Manual Updates

The 2009 Family-to-Family Trainer Manual Updates have been mailed to certified state Family-to-Family trainers. The new trauma lecture is included in the updates. If you have not received your updates, you should contact Lynne Saunders with your current mailing address. Also, you should check with your state Family-to-Family program director to ensure that you are listed on the active state Family-to-Family trainer list.

A new one hour lecture on Trauma Learning has been added to your FRIDAY training schedule.

There are 2 things you must pay attention to as you schedule your next training:

    1. Notify trainers and trainees of the new starting time on Friday morning ( Arrival: 9:30 am; start training at 10 am).
    2. Be sure the trainees get the updated welcome letter (new PREP page 6).

Major changes on Friday schedule are as follows:

9:30 - 10:30 am Arrival and welcome
10:30 - 11:45 am Nuts and Bolts
11:45 - 1:15 pm Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 Lecture on Trauma Learning
2:30 - 3:00 Break
3:00 - 4:50 Class 1 (10 minute stretch)

We will mail new pages for your Training Manual next week. Be on the lookout for them!

Joyce and Lynne will be holding a series of Trainer conference calls this summer to go over these changes and review the new trauma lecture with you.

Deadlines and Dates to Remember

August 25 - SAMHSA's Teleconference "Moving Towards Social Inclusion from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Eastern Time)
August 28 - August Adult "Ask the Doctor" Call with Guest Dr. Ken Minkoff from 11:00 A.M -12:30 P.M. (Eastern Time)


NAMI Friday Facts are electronic newsletters provided free of charge as a service to NAMI members, leaders and staff. NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Contributions to support our work can be made online.



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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Autism Society National Conference a Great Success!; U.S. Signs onto UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

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NEWS

Autism Society National Conference a Great Success!

Thank you to everyone who made the 2009 National Conference so successful! The Autism Society would especially like to thank its sponsors: AMC Entertainment Inc., MetDesk, Eden Autism Services, MedicAlert, Flaghouse, Santa America, Integrative Hyperbaric Chambers, Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Monarch Center for Autism, Dan Marino Foundation and Easter Seals. Read more…

Panel of Experts Kicks off Autism Society National Conference

What is the future of autism? The Autism Society attempted to answer this question as the organization opened its 40th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders in St. Charles, Ill., on Thursday, July 22nd. Read more…

MedicAlert and the Autism Society Announce Partnership at National Conference

During the opening keynote session of the Autism Society’s 40th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders, MedicAlert Foundation CEO Dr. Martin Kabat joined Autism Society President & CEO Lee Grossman in announcing a new program to safeguard individuals with autism. Read more…

Don’t Miss Sensory-Friendly Showing of G-Force

The next AMC/Autism Society Sensory Friendly Film will be G-Force this Saturday, August 1, at 10 a.m. local time. Read more…

Unique Surfing Event Offered in Santa Barbara

The Autism Society of Santa Barbara has partnered with the Santa Barbara Seals to host a unique event for families: A Learn to Surf Day! It will be held at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Sunday, August 15th, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Read more…

Marines Make a Dream Come True for Teenager with ASD

For as long as anyone can remember, Alex Saldivar has been fascinated by the Marine Corps. The slight-framed 14-year-old who grew up in Bridgeport, Calif., watching Marines come and go is on the autism spectrum and suffers from bipolar disorder and ADHD—a combination of disabilities that means his dream was destined to remain just beyond his grasp. Read more…

ADVOCACY

U.S. Signs onto UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Today, the United States joins 141 other nations who have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The signing of the UN Convention sends an important message that this country is committed to equal rights for people with disabilities, in the United States and around the world. Read more…

Update on Health-Care Reform

The timeline on health-care reform has shifted, as the Senate and House are both expected to take their usual August recess without having put the health-care bills to vote on the floor. Despite President Obama’s continued calls for urgent action, both Chambers of Congress are on pace to miss the President’s original August deadline. Read more…

IACC Issues Request for Information to Update Strategic Plan

On behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the National Institute of Mental Health is seeking comments to inform the annual update of the IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research, as required by the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-416). Read more…

IACC Town Hall Follow-Up

The IACC held a successful Town Hall meeting at the Autism Society National Conference in St. Charles, Ill., and would like to thank the members of the public who attended. If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can watch the video from the event at http://videocast.nih.gov/PastEvents.asp.

RESEARCH

Nature-Nurture Gene Link Sheds New Light on Autism

Neuroscientists at MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory found that a previously unsuspected set of genes links nature and nurture during a crucial period of brain development. The results, reported in the July 8 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), could lead to treatments for autism and other disorders thought to be tied to brain changes that occur when the developing brain is very susceptible to inputs from the outside world. Read more…

EDUCATION

New National Professional Competencies for Teachers of Autism

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Autism Society announced the publication of professional competencies for teaching students with autism spectrum disorders at the Autism Society’s 40th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders in St. Charles, Illinois, last week. The competencies will be incorporated into CEC’s resource on highly qualified teachers, What Every Special Educator Needs to Know. Read more...

CONFERENCES

Morgan Autism Center & Santa Clara University Autism Conference

The Morgan Autism Center’s Annual Conference will be held at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, Calif., starting Friday, Sept. 25th. Read more…

Fall Defeat Autism Now! Conference to Be Held in Dallas

The upcoming fall Defeat Autism Now!® Conference will be held October 8-12 in Dallas, Texas. The Defeat Autism Now! conference provides those interested in biomedical approaches to autism the opportunity to connect with leading researchers in the field. Read more…

RESOURCES

New DVD Reminds us That the Way we Speak About Others Matters

One in 150 children in the United States has autism and experiences what it is like to be outnumbered by neurotypical peers. As an adult with an autism diagnosis, Judy Endow has experienced first-hand what it feels like to be the “1” in 150. Based on a poem “The Language of Us and Them” (Shevin, 1987), Endow’s The Power of Words DVD combines words, pictures and music to present powerful examples of how the “149” talk about the “1” with autism. Read more…

2010 Hidden Curriculum One-A-Day Calendar for Older Adolescents and Adults

The 2010 Hidden Curriculum One-A-Day Calendar for Older Adolescents and Adults is filled with year-round entries specifically written for adolescents and adults with autism-related disorders. This unique calendar is designed to be a fun learning tool that is suitable for the home or office. Read more…
 
New Book Addresses the Need for Quality Autism Instruction

AutismClassroom.com has launched a new book for educators, administrators and parents that includes practical, hands-on information about the elements needed in a classroom to provide instruction to students with autism. Read more…

New Activity Book for Kids on the Spectrum

Tara Delaney, an occupational therapist and co-owner of Steps Therapy, Inc., an occupational and speech therapy clinic in Sacramento, Calif., has written the book 101 Games and Activities for Children with Autism, Asperger’s, and Sensory Processing Disorders (McGraw-Hill), which will be published on August 7, 2009. Read more…

Author Seeks Stories from Families for New Book

Peter A. LaPorta and his wife and are blessed to have a five-year-old son with autism. Peter is currently seeking stories from families that have children with autism for his new book, Adventures in Autism. Read more...

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Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
301.657.0881 or 1.800.3AUTISM


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Thursday, July 23, 2009

CDC MEMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE

If You Look with Faith ... You Can Always See ...Image by dragon762w via Flickr

Everything in the health industry is changing daily and the public must stay aware and up to date on what resources are available to stay current. The CDC affords a great amount of detail about what to do under extreme circumstances. This is a resource to bookmark, print out the important facts that may impact ones immediate future, and stay up to date with the newest technology and procedures to their better health. With our ever changing environment and the details of disease and control, we need to take responsibility for our own safety and health issues by staying current. Bookmark this site and keep the information handy in cases of emergency assistance.

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The above photo reads "If You Look With Faith...You Can Always See the Angels"

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Health Care Reform Update: Rep. Doyle Offers Autism Amerndment - But More Amendments to Come

>


 

07/21/09   Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen. 

Dear Autism Advocate,

HEALTH CARE REFORM UPDATE: Things are moving VERY quickly in the House now with health care reform and we need you to be ready to act at a moment's notice and give it everything you've got!

Last night, The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed an autism amendment offered by Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), Chairman of the Congressional Autism Caucus and member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, to H.R. 3200, the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - the House health care reform bill that is currently undergoing markup in the Energy and Commerce Committee.  His amendment would set up national training initiatives on autism.

We anticipate that Congressman Doyle will introduce a very important amendment to the bill tomorrow that will seek to end autism insurance discrimination once and for all.  When that happens, we will need you to be ready to call following our direction as fast and furiously as possible. We will need to make a loud statement that want this amendment to be attached to the bill.

Our children deserve appropriate healthcare that provides them with access to the medical treatments and therapies that can help them live more productive and fulfilling lives. Keep every one of them in mind as we make our way through this next stage in the process. They are counting on you!

Stay Tuned!

Elizabeth Emken
Vice President, Govenment Relations
Autism Speaks

 


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Thursday, July 16, 2009

Rep. Doyle Makes Historic Pledge to the Autism Community

  Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen. 

Dear Autism Advocate,

You are doing a FANTASTIC job with your calls and we wanted to take a moment to let you know that House Leadership IS listening to what you have to say. You are most definitely making an impact.

Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), Chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus, just pledged in a committee markup on comprehensive health care reform that any bill that does not put an end to autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable. Click here to watch Congressman Doyle's opening statement at the committee session.

   

Here is How YOU Can Help:

1. THANK REP. DOYLE! Please send Congressman Mike Doyle one email from your family thanking him for fighting for our children. Thank him for standing up and letting Congress know that health reform that does not stop autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable. You can send a thank you email to Congressman Doyle HERE!

2. FORWARD THIS EMAIL! Ask 20 of your friends to do the same by forwarding this email to them and asking them to take action.


Please stay tuned. Things are moving fast. We have more grassroots fun prepared for you for tomorrow so be on the lookout in your email boxes for the next directions for Speaker Pelosi's office. In the meantime, please remember that we are seeking donations to keep our tv ad on the air in order to keep the pressure on Congress to end autism insurance discrimination. Simply click the button below:


Together we will achieve autism insurance reform for every child with autism in America!


Sincerely,

Shelley Hendrix
Director of State Advocacy Relations
Autism Speaks


Take Action Today

> DONATE NOW to Autism Votes

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Autism Society National Conference Opens Next Week

The puzzle piece ribbon is used by some autism...Image via Wikipedia

If you are unable to view the message below, please go to http://www.autism-society.org/site/MessageViewer/.

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 Lojack

      

 

 


 

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NEWS

Autism Society National Conference Opens Next Week

The Autism Society will gather the many experts, families, professionals, and individuals with autism who make up the autism community to St. Charles, Ill., next week for the 40th National Conference and Exposition on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Online registration closes Sunday, July 19, so sign up today at www.autism-society.org/conference. Read more ...

Conference Highlights

MedicAlert Foundation and Autism Society Launch New Program to Safeguard Individuals and Families Living with Autism

MedicAlert Foundation International, the leader in emergency response medical information services, has teamed up with the Autism Society to provide protection and peace of mind through a new program, Medic Alert + Safe and Sound®, offered under the respective registered trademarks of the cooperating sponsors. The official launch of the program will take place at the Autism Society’s 40th National Conference at the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa in St. Charles, IL, from July 22-25. Read more …

AMC Sponsors Family Movie Night at Autism Society National Conference

Don’t miss Family Movie Night at the Autism Society National Conference! Sponsored by AMC Entertainment, it offers a great chance to relax as a family after a busy day at the conference. The movie will be a showing of Kung Fu Panda on Thursday, July 23, from 7-9 p.m. in the St. Charles Ballroom.

Conference Symposium on “Science that Makes a Difference”

This year’s Autism Society National Conference will feature the first-ever Science Symposium, on July 23 beginning at 8:15 a.m. The day opens with a panel discussion on how the key institutions that serve our citizens with autism and their families will view progress and challenges for families and professionals in the future, followed by a series of cutting-edge talks with extensive opportunities for speaker-panel-audience discussion. Read more …

IACC Holds Town Hall Meeting at Autism Society Conference

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) will hold a Town Hall Meeting on July 24, 2009, at 10:45 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Autism Society National Conference in St. Charles, Ill. The town hall meeting is an opportunity to share your comments, feedback and questions regarding services for people with ASD and their families. Read more …

Don’t Miss Sensory-Friendly Showing of Harry Potter

The next AMC/Autism Society Sensory Friendly Film will be Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, July 25 at 10 a.m. local time. We will also be showing G-Force on August 1. Read more …

UFC Legend Randy Couture Fights for Autism

Five-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) winner, Randy Couture, will fight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to raise awareness and support for autism. On Saturday, August 29, Couture will fight at the first Portland UFC event; following the fight he will host a V.I.P. fundraising event called “Natural Understanding” to benefit the Autism Society of Oregon. The fundraiser will be held at the Marriott Downtown Portland Hotel. Read more …

Rocking the Boat for Autism

Five men are rowing up the east coast to make a difference in the lives of people affected by autism. John Lose, Larry Maher, Dan McCann, James O'Donoghue and Ryan Meyer are “Rock the Boat for Autism” - a grassroots nonprofit organization -- who are rowing from Boca Raton, Fla., to Sea Isle, N.J., this summer to raise $250,000  for the Autism Society. Read more …

ADVOCACY

Senate HELP Committee Moves Comprehensive Healthcare Reform

On July 15, 2009, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) passed the Affordable Health Choices Act, a comprehensive healthcare reform package, by a vote of 13-10. The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, which also has jurisdiction over healthcare reform, is expected to release and make changes to its version of the bill in the coming weeks. Read more …

HELP Committee Gets New Ranking Republican; Holds Hearing on Bullying

Representative John Kline (R-MN) became the Ranking Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee. The Committee's Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittees held a hearing entitled, "Strengthening School Safety through Prevention of Bullying." Read more …

Medicaid Answers Questions on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released one of a series of Medicaid Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) designed to provide guidance on the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The FAQs address questions that have been submitted to the ARRA mailbox, CMSOARRAQuestions@cms.hhs.gov. The new FAQs can be accessed at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Recovery/09_Medicaid.asp.

Pennsylvania’s SB 850 Budget Bill Risks Autism Services

The political news in Pennsylvania suggests that the House Appropriations Committee may vote Senate Bill (SB) 850 out onto the floor of the House as a "vehicle" for the budget. SB 850 is a bill that passed in the Senate that includes extraordinary cuts to the autism budget. Read more …

Autism Coverage Language Removed from Ohio State Budget

The autism insurance language in the Ohio budget bill, which was included in the senate version, was dropped in the conference committee. Although we were not able to secure the autism insurance language in this budget bill, our voices were heard, and those advocacy efforts will help us in the future. Further updates on insurance coverage for autism may be available when HB 8, which is the original bill that addressed autism insurance coverage, is considered.

RESEARCH

New Study Pinpoints Difference in the Way Children with Autism Learn New Behaviors

Researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have collaborated to uncover important new insights into the neurological basis of autism. Their new study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, examined patterns of movement as children with autism and typically developing children learned to control a novel tool. The findings suggest that children with autism appear to learn new actions differently than do typically developing children. As compared to their typically developing peers, children with autism relied much more on their own internal sense of body position (proprioception) rather than visual information coming from the external world to learn new patterns of movement. Furthermore, researchers found that the greater the reliance on proprioception, the greater the child’s impairment in social skills, motor skills and imitation. Read more …

Mothers of Children with Autism have Higher Parental Stress and Psychological Distress

Researchers at the University of Washington's Autism Center asked mothers about their experiences raising their children, and found that moms of children with autism had higher levels of parenting-related stress and psychological distress than mothers of children with other developmental delays. Children's problem behavior was associated with increases in both parenting-related stress and distress in both groups, but this relationship was stronger in mothers of children with autism. Read more …

EDUCATION

Artist Plans Plein Air Painting Day to Benefit Transition Program

Artist and mother-of-three Nancy Bea Miller is organizing a plein air (outdoor) painting day to benefit Camphill Special School's Transition Program for teens and youth with developmental disabilities. Read more …

CONFERENCES

INDATA Project Hosts Special Pre-Conference on Augmentative and Alternative Communication

The INDATA Project will host a special pre-conference focusing on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) on Thursday, August 6, 2009, at 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Avenue, Room 209, in Indianapolis. This AAC pre-conference is being held in conjunction with the 2009 Statewide Assistive Technology Conference taking place the following day, Friday, August 7. Read more …

'Mini-DAN!' Set for Southern California Next Month

The Autism Research Institute will present a condensed version of the Defeat Autism Now! treatment guidelines, Sunday, Aug. 16, at the conclusion of the 4th Annual "Back to School" Autism/Aspergers Conference, held at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101. Read more …

RESOURCES

Scholarships Available for Special Education Certification

The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire will offer scholarships to a limited number of highly qualified students in its Special Education Teacher Certification in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) beginning fall 2009. Read more …

New Tool to Help Children with Autism Sleep

Researchers estimate that between 40 and 80 percent of children with autism have difficulty sleeping. Difficulty falling asleep, inconsistent sleep routines, restlessness or poor sleep quality, and waking early are just a few of the problems, according to WebMD. The Good Nite Lite offers parents a way to help their kids learn healthy and acceptable sleeping habits that fit in better with the family's normal schedule. Read more …

New Movie Tells Story of Asperger’s Romance

Romance can be risky, perplexing and filled with the perils of miscommunication - and that's if you aren't Adam, for whom life itself is this way. Read more …

Asperger Syndrome and Dating: A Guide for Teenagers

In The Guide to Dating for Teenagers with Asperger Syndrome, Jeannie Uhlenkamp addresses common topics that arise when talking about teens and dating, with a focus on the needs of teens with AS. Using the fictional characters Haley and Jerome, Uhlenkamp presents the information in an advice-column format written in language that resonates with young people. Read more …

A Rare Glimpse of Life with Autism

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see life through the eyes of someone with autism? Walk a mile in his or her shoes? Diagnosed as an adult, Judy Endow gives you the unique opportunity to do just this through her latest book, Paper Words: Discovering and Living with My Autism. Read more …

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Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
301.657.0881 or 1.800.3AUTISM


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