It is back to school time and for many families with children on the autism spectrum, this is a particularly difficult transition time. The Autism Conferences of America is helping families with the upcoming Arizona “Back to School” Autism/Asperger’s Conference. The conference will be held on September 17-18, 2010 at the Phoenix Convention Center and it will feature tracks on school, family, medical, social/speech, and teen/adult issues.

Rick Clemens, M.A. will be presenting the Friday morning keynote on going Back to School Without Any Neurotypical Peers…Definitely Not The Best Practice. During his keynote he will discuss the Inclusive Education Quality Program Indicator Checklist and Assessment Tool for Children with Autism. Saturday morning’s keynote, Social Thinking: How Does This Treatment Mix With Others Available by Michelle Garcia Winner, CCC-SLP.

The conference features a bevy of discussions in three parallel tracks for each conference day. I won’t list them all in this post but here are a few of interest:

• Learning Social Skills & Making Friends
• The Basics of Applied Behavior Analysis
• The Emotions of Autism
• Secret Study Tips For Learning to Learn
• Collaboration Between Students, Teacher and SLP
• Mitochondrial Problems in Autism
• “Empowering Students With Autism” in Bullying Situations
• Dad’s and Mom’s Lunchtime Panels

A full two-day pass to the conference runs $180 for family members but if you act fast and register and pay for the conference by this Friday, August 27, 2010 you are eligible for the early bird registration fee of $160. For more information about the Arizona “Back to School” Autism/Asperger’s Conference call (480) 831-2047.

The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) will be hosting a Lunch and Learn session on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 from noon until 1pm. The topic of this session is: Anxiety in Autism: Developments in Research & Practice with Raymond g. Romanczyk, Ph.D., BCBA-D from the Institute for Child Development, SUNY at Binghamton.

This presentation addresses recent intervention research and clinical practice for individuals with ASDs who display anxiety and anxiety-related clinical problems. Anxiety is a complex cluster of behaviors, cognitions, and physiological states that vary in proportion to one another from individual to individual. Discussions include the process of anxiety development and maintenance and the benefits and detriments of attempting to influence anxiety within the context of social and adaptive skill development. Cautions concerning well intentioned but poorly conceived therapy will also be highlighted.

BACB Type 2 CE offered, contact Pilar at (480) 603-3282 to register. The registration fee is $10/person and space is limited.

The Clubhouse Centers in Arizona has announced four uniquely themed summer camp options for children on the autism spectrum. Camp sessions run for either four or eight weeks and begin on June 7, 2010 and run through July 29, 2010. Sessions are held Monday through Thursday and both AM and PM sessions are available.

Camp Move & Groove
Occupational and physical therapists have joined forces to create a fun movement-based summer camp opportunity for children aged 3 – 12. Participants will work on motor planning, sensory integration, core strength, and coordination by participating in a fun obstacle course, rock climbing, jumbling, karate, dancing, and much more.

Camp Chit Chat
Speech pathologists and music therapists will be working together to provide campers aged 3 – 12 with a fun language-based camp experience. Students will work on pragmatic language, friendships, problem solving, and conversational speech.

Camp Reading Rocks
Children between the ages of 5 and 12 can participate in this fun language-based program facilitated by speech pathologists and music therapists.

Camp Write On
Occupational therapists will facility fun activities that will help children aged 5 – 10 improve their fine motor control, coordination, core strength, and posture. These activities will ultimately improve your child’s handwriting.

For more information about these summer camp opportunities in Phoenix, Arizona call The Clubhouse at 602-368-8601.

Tomorrow, the Arizona State Senate Health Committee will hear SB1181 – the Arizona Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force – for the first time. The hearing is scheduled for 9:00 am. If you live in Arizona, contact your State Senator to show your support for this task force. Details about the purpose of the task force follow.

REFERENCE TITLE: autism spectrum disorder task force

State of Arizona
Senate
Forty-ninth Legislature
Second Regular Session
2010

SB 1181

Introduced by Senators Aguirre, Leff: Aboud, Allen C, Burton Cahill, Lopez; Representatives Goodale, Jones, Pancrazi

AN ACT

Establishing the autism spectrum disorder task force.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Autism spectrum disorder task force; membership; duties; reports; delayed repeal

A. The autism spectrum disorder task force is established consisting of the following members:

1. Two members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate and who represent different political parties.

2. Two members of the house of representative who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who represent different political parties.

3. The director of the department of economic security or the director’s designee.

4. The director of the department of health services or the director’s designee.

5. The director of the Arizona health care cost containment system administration or the director’s designee.

6. The superintendant of public instruction or the superintendant’s designee.

7. One employee of a school district in this state who oversees special education services. The president of the senate shall appoint this member.

8. One representative of an organization in this state that advocates for persons with autism spectrum disorder. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint this member.

9. One representative of an organization in this state that provides services to persons with autism spectrum disorder. The president of the senate shall appoint this member.

10. One parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint this member.

11. An adult who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The president of the senate shall appoint this member.

12. A developmental pediatrician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17, Arizona Revised Statutes, and who has expertise in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint this member.

13. A behavior analyst who has expertise in autism spectrum disorder. The president of the senate shall appoint this member.

14. A faculty member of a university under the jurisdiction of the board of regents. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint this member.

15. A member of the business community. The president of the senate shall appoint this member.

B. The task force shall:

1. Review the coordination of services provided by state agencies, schools and organizations relating to the treatment of persons with autism spectrum disorder, including resources available to the families and other caregivers of persons with autism spectrum disorder.

2. Identify problems and recommend solutions regarding the availability of services to persons with autism spectrum disorder and their families and caregivers and the efficient delivery and coordination of those services.

3. Identify current funding sources for services provided to persons with autism spectrum disorder and determine if there are additional available federal or other funding sources that are not being used.

4. Identify and recommend opportunities for the sharing of resources of services to persons with autism spectrum disorder, including partnerships between the public and private sectors.

5. Identify evidence-based treatments and best practices for autism spectrum disorder.

6. Identify state models and service systems for persons with autism spectrum disorder.

7. Submit to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives an interim report of its findings and recommendations on or before June 30, 2011 and a final report of its findings and recommendations on or before December 15, 2011. The task force shall provide a copy of its interim and final reports to the secretary of state.

C. Task force members are not eligible to receive compensation, but members appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 are eligible for reimbursement of expenses under title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

D. This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2012.

Here is an excerpt from an article about the qualifying for, and receiving benefits from, the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Autism Benefits Available in Arizona: Respite Care, Habilitation, Medicaid, and Therapy Covered by DDD

Benefits for children and adults with autism vary by state. In Arizona, individuals on the autism spectrum can take advantage of a variety of benefits including respite care, habilitation, and state-covered health insurance. State-provided services also cover several therapy options including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

Autism Conferences of America is preparing for two upcoming autism conferences – one in Mesa, Arizona and one in NYC.

Back-to-School Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome Conference in Mesa, Arizona
This conference will be held at the Mesa Convention Center and feature an opening keynote address by Temple Grandin. Workshops will cover a variety of topics including a discussion of psychiatric medications and an examination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for autism.

Educating & Healing Children with Autism in NYC
The autism conference in NYC will feature a variety of workshops about biomedical treatments for autism spectrum disorders. Additionally, many well known autism biomedical writers will be in attendance including Kim Stagliano, David Kirby, and Dan Olmsted.

In honor of back-to-school time, I’ve begun a series of articles on the Suite 101 website that focuses on specialized autism schools across the nation. The first three articles include Autism Schools in Arizona, Autism Schools in Colorado and Utah, and Autism Schools in Florida.

Although the list of schools I included in the article is by no means comprehensive, I chose to focus on a few select schools in each state.

Autism Schools in Arizona

• ACCEL
• Chrysalis Academy
• Gateway Academy
• Pieceful Solutions

Autism Schools in Colorado

• The Joshua School

Autism Schools in Florida

• Florida Autism Center of Excellence
• Jacksonville School for Children with Autism
• Peace by Piece
• The Victory Center

Autism Schools in Utah

• Carmen B. Pingree Center for Children with Autism
• Spectrum Academy

The 2nd annual Camp Runamuk will be held from October 9-12 in Prescott, Arizona. Camp Runamuk is a family camp and the fees include one room per family, eight meals, snacks, and all on-site activities. The fee schedule is as follows:

• Family of 2 – $454
• Family of 3 – $639
• Family of 4 – $796
• Family of 5 – $925
• Ea add’l family member – $175/ea

Families will get the total camp experience from bunk beds to campfires, for 4 days and 3 nights while they participate in family and individual activities all geared for campers with special needs, their siblings, and parents. At night, each family will turn in to their own room in a suite-style log cabin, each complete with its own bathroom and shower.

For more information, download the following PDF files…

Camp Runamuk 2009 Flyer
Camp Runamuk 2009 Application
Camp Runamuk 2009 Camper Information Form

Steven’s Law Step-by Step Eligibility Questions:

• 1. Ask the Company/Human Resources Dept. (HR) for whom you work (where you receive your health benefits/insurance) if the plan your family has is a “Self Insured Plan.” If they tell you “Yes” – you are not eligible for benefits under Steven’s Law. If they tell you “No” go to step # 2.
• 2. If you do not know or are unsure, ask the HR Department if the company has 50 or more employees. If they tell you “No” than you are not eligible for benefits under Steven’s Law. If they tell you “Yes” go to step #3
• 3. Ask the HR Department where/in which state your Insurance Plan is “underwritten.” If your plan has been underwritten in any state other than Arizona you may not be eligible for Steven’s Law.
• 4. Call your insurance company and ask for “Member Benefits.” Ask if they (Customer Service) are familiar with Arizona’s Steven’s Law/Autism Coverage.If they tell you “No” ask to speak to a Supervisor and ask the Supervisor the same questions.
• 5. If they tell you “Yes” ask them if your family (your child) is eligible for the benefits under your plan.
• 6. If they tell you “No” ask them why/what the reason is, and then tell them you want the reason you do not have coverage sent to you in writing.
• 7. If they tell you “Yes” request a list of “Network or Contracted Providers” or “Preferred Providers” for your area. This will give you all of the agencies and/or individuals who are contracted with your insurance company to provide services outlined by Steven’s Law.
• 8. Because some Companies have elected to offer this coverage when they are not required to, call your insurance company and ask even if you think you are NOT eligible. If they tell you that you ARE eligible, request it in writing before you make any appointments etc.

Feel free to share this information with other organizations and/or individuals. Questions? No problem! Send an email to jessica@azautism.org.

Approximately 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with Autism in the United States according to federal statistics as of 2007. These numbers place Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorders at an alarming high rate and even at an epidemic level and early intervention services are crucial in the development milestones for children diagnosed. The average age of diagnosis for children as a whole is about 20 months old, but in the African- American community the average age of diagnosis is about 5 ½ years old. A LOT OF PRECIOUS EARLY INTERVENTION SUPPORT IS LOST. However, it is never too late to start.

This support group was founded to offer support in an environment that is culturally supportive and to equip families with knowledge and resources to assist their family on there journey in advocacy and helping there diagnosed family member have the best quality of life.

The tendency of families is to isolate because you feel you are all ALONE and no one will UNDERSTAND. Well, I am here to say you are not alone this group was founded to burst that myth.

This support group is geared towards the African American community considering the cultural needs that must be considered in obtaining and receiving support and the lack of resources to assist in this area. However, we encourage anyone and everyone to come and be apart of this group.

Our second meeting will take place:

Saturday, July 25, 2009 from 11am – 12:00pm.

You are welcomed to bring your child with you. These groups are informal opportunities for individuals and families to come together to receive support, knowledge, and resources.

Location:
Cesar Chavez Library – Conference Room
3635 West Baseline Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012

Please call Lynette Tolliver at (602) 772-1412 or e-mail african-americanautismofaz@cox.net and leave a message advising of your attendance and/or if you have any questions with a contact number or e-mail for follow up.

Thank You….Pass The Word On….We Will See You There!!!