TRAVELING RECIPES

Join me in supporting American, Cancer, American Heart, and Autism Speaks by going to TRAVELING RECIPES and making a $10.00 donation to buy the cookbook. ALL proceeds are going to the above mentioned charities.

How Will Federal Health Care Reform Affect the Autism Community?

March 24, 2010   Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen.  U.S. HOUSE PASSES HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL CONTAINING PROVISION FOR AUTISM INSURANCE REFORM Legislative Battle To End Insurers' Discrimination Will Continue At Both The State And Federal Levels Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, today pledged to continue the battle to end insurers' discrimination against individuals with autism at both the state and federal levels. While praising elements of the Health Care Education and Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 – passed over the weekend by the U.S. House – that could result in improved access to care for individuals with autism and their families, the bill still falls short of eliminating marketplace discrimination for coverage of medically necessary autism treatments. The reconciliation bill will now move to the Senate for consideration. Through the efforts of Autism Speaks, the autism grassroots community and supporters in Congress, especially Congressman Mike Doyle (PA) in the House and Senators Robert Menendez (NJ) and Chris Dodd (CT) in the Senate, behavioral health treatment is included as part of the essential health benefits package required in certain health plans. Behavioral health treatments were added to ensure that people with autism are provided with insurance coverage of medically necessary, evidence-based behavioral treatments, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. While the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act will extend autism insurance reform to some families, not all health plans will be required by the bill to cover behavioral health treatment. The reconciliation bill will require the following health plans to offer at least the essential benefits package: (1) plans offered by state-based exchanges, through which individuals and small businesses can purchase coverage; and (2) plans offered in the individual and small group markets outside the exchange. Therefore, while some families affected by autism will be able to receive health insurance coverage for behavioral health treatments, the majority of families will remain without this crucial coverage. "We are grateful to our supporters in Congress who fought so hard to make sure that families dealing with autism are a part of larger health care reform," said Peter Bell, Autism Speaks executive vice president for programs and services. "Though passage of this bill does not end autism insurance discrimination for all families, Autism Speaks will continue to work for autism insurance reform in state legislatures and in Congress until all those touched by autism no longer face discrimination from the insurance industry." Wondering how federal health care reform affects the autism community?  Find out and take part in the discussion on the Autism Speaks Blog!  As always, you can learn more about autism insurance reform and Take Action at www.autismvotes.org!       Take Action Today > DONATE NOW to Autism Votes > Was this email forwarded to you from a friend?  Sign up to receive urgent email alerts from Autism Votes > Visit our website at www.AutismVotes.org Autism Votes is an initiative of Autism Speaks

Your key to Autism Awareness Month

View this message in a browser. April is Autism Awareness Month Dear AnnMarie, All across America during the month of April, the Autism Society is holding special events to raise awareness… promote the benefits of early autism diagnosis… and raise support for our research and services. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, won't you please make a donation to the Autism Society? For every donation we receive, we'll send you an Autism Society keychain – symbolizing your key role in our mission! Thank you in advance for your gift. Together, we're helping to improve the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Lee Grossman President and CEO Autism Society member since 1991 Parent of a son with autism © 2010        Privacy Policy   |   About Us   |   Contact Us   |   Unsubscribe

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Mitochondria Studies Prompt Novel Research Direction and Funding

e-Speaks || March 19, 2010 Light It Up Blue on April 1 Join Autism Speaks and "Light It Up Blue" this April! Iconic landmarks around the globe, as well as airports, bridges, museums, concert halls, restaurants, and retail stores, will light up in bright blue on the evening of April 1 – the first night of Autism Awareness Month and the eve of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). Help raise awareness – host an event or "Light It Up Blue" online. Version 2.0 of 100 Day Kit is Now Available The very well-received 100 Day Kit has been updated to reflect comments and suggestions from many parents who used the first version, launched in 2008. In addition to the updated 100 Day Kit, a separate Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Tool Kit is also now available for families. And on the Autism Speaks Blog, read a post by Autism Speaks' national director of family services, about how the kit was developed and continues to serve families struggling with a new diagnosis. Autism Speaks and Dollar General Partner to Raise Funds and Awareness Autism Speaks and Dollar General, the nation's largest discount retailer by number of stores, are partnering to increase awareness of autism and raise funds for autism research and advocacy during Autism Awareness Month in April. To kick off the month-long campaign, Dollar General has donated $50,000 to Autism Speaks. Every Member of the Kentucky House Had Courage to Help Children With Autism Autism Speaks today joined Kentucky families and in applauding all members of the House for their passage of House Bill 159, which requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies, such as applied behavior analysis. The House passed HB 159 in a unanimous 97-0 vote.  Mitochondria Studies Prompt Novel Research Direction and Funding At the end of 2008, Autism Speaks' High Risk, High Impact initiative invested in groundbreaking research in mitochondria and autism at the Universities of California at Irvine (UCI) and San Diego (UCSD). In just a year's time, this investment has borne fruit in terms of novel research directions and new investments from the federal government. Catching Up with Holly Robinson Peete This past Sunday, the new season of "Celebrity Apprentice" debuted, featuring Autism Speaks national board member Holly Robinson Peete as a contestant. It was a busy week for Holly, as she also penned a blog post for The Huffington Post. Tune in Sunday night to watch episode two and e-mail your recap to editors@autismspeaks.org – maybe yours will be featured on the Autism Speaks blog next Monday! In Their Own Words – Siblings Speak … It's Time to Listen This week's "In Their Own Words" is the testimony of 10-year-old Ellie Simon, the sister of Danny Simon who has autism. Last week, Ellie spoke before the HGO Committee, testifying in support of HB 1091, Maryland's autism insurance reform bill. Coming Soon March 20  Autism Awareness Day at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Penn.)  Treasure Coast Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Jensen Beach, Fla.) March 22  Westchester/Fairfield Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-off Event (Rye Brook, N.Y.)  March 23  Northern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-off Event (Hackensack, N.J.)  March 24  Laurel Highlands Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-off Event (Greensburg, Penn.) Donate Now • Contact Us • Autism Speaks Blog Four Simple Ways to Support Autism Speaks  Forward this Email | Follow us on Twitter | Join us on Facebook | Join our Online Community This e-mail is only available in HTML format. If you cannot read HTML messages, just click the following link to view this e-mail in your browser: http://www.autismspeaks.org/html_email/e_speaks_2010_0319.php. © 2010 Autism Speaks, Inc.  Please add contactus@autismspeaks.org to your address book or safe sender list to ensure e-Speaks is delivered to your inbox.

2010 Northern New England Walk Autism Awareness

Get Involved . Support Autism Speaks Northern New England Greeley Park Nashua NH http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/nne In This Issue: April is Autism Awareness Month World Autism Awareness Day Sponsorship Family Services Mass and NH Advocacy   Walk Now for Autism Speaks Have you considered being a part of the 2010 Walk Committee?  Did you enjoy your experience at last year's Walk for Autism Speaks?  Do you have ideas on how to increase fundraising, food donations or community outreach?  Meetings are held monthly and we are looking to add new Committee Members in 2010 and grow this Walk to its fullest potential. This months committee meeting will take place on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm. The Location will be at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. Catholic Medical Center 100 McGregor St. Manchester, NH 03102 To RSVP to this meeting please contact us at northernnewengland@autismspeaks.org or you can call the New England Chapter Office at 888-627-6227.   April is Autism Awareness Month April is just around the corner and as Spring gets ready to come into full swing we wanted to remind you that April is Autism Awareness Month.  There are a lot of events happening this month to celebrate Autism Awareness month, so please take a minute to read about what's going on around you at www.autismspeaks.org. There are a couple really great ways you can help bring awareness to the town you live in.  The first is submit a letter to the editor.  All local papers encourage their readers to submit letters on a variety of topics.  Sharing your family's story with your community can be very empowering and enlightening for those who aren't as familiar with autism.  If you are interested in writing a letter to your local paper please email northernnewengland@autismspeaks.org and we will happily help you. Schools are a great place to educate teachers and students alike about autism.  Why not ask your school principal if they would be willing to incorporate facts about autism into the morning announcements for 1 week in April.  We will be happy to provide you with the autism facts.  Also, ask your school if you can set up an autism bulletin board in your school's lobby.  Many times schools change these bulletin boards depending on the month.  They typically cover a variety of topics and are always looking for new ideas.  Please email northernnewengland@autismspeaks.org if you are interested in doing any of these activities.   World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) On December 18, 2007 the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 62/139 declaring April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. This is an enormous step towards world-wide awareness and action.  Don't forget to wear your puzzle pin throughout April but especially on WAAD.  There will be events taking place all over the globe to celebrate, make sure to visit www.worldautismawarenessday.org to learn about all the exciting things that are taking place.  This year due to Good Friday falling on April 2nd we will be observing World Autism Awareness Day on April 1st. World Autism Awareness Day is also a great way to start off you Walk Fundraising. You can host a Bake Sale or start your Spring cleaning with a Grarage Sale. For more great ways to begin fundraising vist http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/nne.   Sponsorship We are actively seeking cash sponsors of $500 - $15,000 for this year's Walk event. Sponsorship benefits include logo placement on event materials (contingent on print deadlines), logo placement on the Walk website and recognition at all Walk events to name only a few.  Partnering with Autism Speaks offers a prime opportunity for any organization to build brand loyalty, access a desirable target market and be a strong corporate citizen. For more information please contact us at northernnewengland@autismspeaks.org or call the New England Chaper Office at 888-627-6227.   Family Services Sign Up Today for the new monthly newsletter called Community Connections from Family Services. What a great way to get update to date information on services!   Autism Speaks is listening!!! Massachusetts and New Hampshire advocates have been working non-stop since the 2010 Legislative Session opened. Click on the states to get up to date info on where the autism insurance bills are standing, and how YOU can help get these bills passed.  Thank you all for your continued support and dedication to this organization, it's mission, and all those touched by autism. Sheri Tremblay Northeast Walk Manager Upcoming Events Northern New England Walk Now for Autism Speaks More Events   Tips and Tools Walk Website Tour Registration Build and Edit Your Page Fundraising E-mails More Tips With your support, we will transform a community of heartbreak into a community of hope

Get Involved in your Local Community. For more information on Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

Mailing Address:
Autism Speaks
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Contact Name: Sheri Tremblay
Telephone Number: 888-627-6227