Obama and a million dollars for autism

Obama Announces Nearly $100 Million For Autism Research
By Michelle Diament
September 30, 2009

The National Institutes of Health is awarding nearly $100 million in grants — the most ever — to research the causes of autism and look for treatments.

The funding is part of $5 billion that’s being awarded by the NIH to study autism, cancer and heart disease, among other conditions. The grants represent half of the NIH funding allotment from the federal economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year.

Collectively, the grants are “the single largest boost to biomedical research in history,” President Barack Obama said at the NIH Wednesday.

The grants also represent the largest single amount of money allotted for autism research.

The funding for autism research will go toward studying the DNA of people with autism and their parents and establishing better diagnostic screening tools. Researchers will also look at prenatal and early life risk factors for autism, test early interventions and adapt treatments known to work with young children so that they can be effective with older kids and adults.

“What we learn will hopefully lead to greater understanding, early interventions, more effective treatments and therapies to help these children live their lives and achieve their fullest potential, which is extraordinary,” Obama said.

good news

I came across this article by Michelle Diament, and it sounds good. Not sure what its going to cost, but hey, it does sound promising.


Autism Insurance, Independent Living Get Boost In Senate
By Michelle Diament
September 28, 2009

The health care bill emerging from a key Senate committee now includes expanded independent living options and autism insurance coverage, both of which are good news for people with disabilities, advocates say.

The Senate finance committee agreed last week to include an amendment mandating insurance coverage for behavior treatments used with those who have autism. Similar legislation has passed in many states, but advocates say a federal mandate is key.

“It is now highly likely that any health care reform bill which ultimately reaches the president’s desk will end autism insurance discrimination by including the requirement that all health insurance policies cover behavioral health treatments,” said Elizabeth Emken, vice president of government relations at Autism Speaks, which advocated for the measure.

The finance committee also opted to include the Community Choice First Option, which would offer states the ability to obtain increased federal matching funds to support individuals with disabilities who live in the community. In return, participating states would eliminate caps on the number of individuals who can live in the community.

This option has its roots in the Community Choice Act, a bill proposed in Congress, which would create a mandate for states rather than allow them an option. Advocates initially wanted a mandate to be included within the health care reform bill, but say having the option included is a step in the right direction while they continue to push for passage of the Community Choice Act.

“I haven’t talked to a single person in Congress who’s been opposed to the concept,” says Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living, who’s been influential in lobbying for the Community Choice Act. “The only concerns about it have been the cost.”

A final health care reform bill must be passed by the full House and Senate and signed by the president for it to become law.

Sexuality Workshop for Teens

just an FYI for people in MA.


Wednesday, September 30, 2009
6:00 - 7:30 pm
North Shore Arc, Danvers

The Spotlight Program is pleased to invite you to our upcoming workshop on teen sexuality presented by Sally Fogel, M.Ed. This session will address many areas of concern for parents of young adults with autism such as: sexuality as part of life, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and safety and consent. This workshop is intended for parents only.

Sally Fogel is an AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) Certified Sexuality Educator, and has been working in this field for 25 years. This is Sally's 20th year of teaching Human Sexuality at Wheelock College in Boston. Previously, Sally taught at Boston University School of Social Work and Boston College. She provides training on sexuality for human service agencies and businesses across the country. Sally has a private practice in sexuality counseling for individuals, couples and groups.

Registration for the Sexuality for Parents of Teens workshop is $15. Contact Rebecca Girard at rgirard@nsarc. org or 978.624.2314 to register.
Upcoming Workshops for Teens & Parents

Wednesday, October 7th, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Transition Workshop for Teens and Parents of Teens/Young Adults presented by Karla Murphy and Nancy Hofferty

Wednesday, October 21st, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Panel of Independent Living Programs and Opportunities

Wednesday, November 4th, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Panel Discussion with Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome

All workshops are held at The North Shore Arc, 6 Southside Road, Danvers, MA
Teens in Transition

Amantadine Hydrochloride

found this aritcle and thought it was interesting so I thought I'd share it with you'all.


Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Amantadine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Children with Autistic Disorder

Authors:
King, B.; Wright, D.; Handen, B.; Sickich, L.
Source:
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Volume 40, Issue 6, p.658-664 (2001)

Scientific Abstract
Layperson Summary:

Amantadine may improve behaviors in some children with autism.

This article reported results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of amantadine (drug that acts on the brain). There were 39 children (5-19 years old) in the study. Children received either amantadine (2.5 mg/kg for one week, and then 5.0 mg/kg for 3 weeks) or placebo (sugar pill). The researchers measured the children's behaviors using one standard test and the parents measured behaviors using a different standard test. The researchers found that treatment with amantadine decreased hyperactivity and inappropriate speech. The parents in both the placebo group and the amantadine group found improvements in behaviors. It was about the same degree of improvements in both groups. In other words, there was a noticeable "placebo effect" because parents reported improvements for 37% of children on placebo. In comparison, parents reported improvements for 47% of the children taking amantadine. The difference between the two groups with parent-measured tests was not large enough to be important. The authors talked about placebo effects reported in other studies of drug therapy for autism.

Sensory Friendly Films

September 26, 2009
10 a.m. local time

AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to
bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special
opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting
environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program.

In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique
audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the
sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free,
casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before
the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance,
walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC's "Silence is GoldenR" policy will
not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

Tickets are $4-6 depending on location and can be purchased on the day of
the event.

AMC Framingham 15
22 Flutie Pass, Framingham, MA

In IEPs Inside Out, a top administrator at one of the nation’s largest special education programs gives you a candid look at the process from the school district point of view.

http://www.disabili tyscoop.com/ 2009/06/09/ ieps-inside- out/3584/

behavior plans

A good Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) can make a big difference in how a student with special needs acts and reacts in a school setting. However, getting the appropriate school personnel to do the necessary behavior analysis and put a plan together can be a frustratingly lengthy process. You may want to try proposing a behavior plan of your own -- particularly if you have a good relationship with your child study team, and your child's teachers are as frustrated by the delays as you are. At the very least, seeing behavior plans that others have put together can help you be an active participant in the planning process. Here are some examples of successful behavior plans -- and blank forms that some school districts use to make them:
http://specialchild ren.about. com/od/specialed ucation/qt/ behaviorplan. htm