The State of California will begin requiring special education teachers to receive additional training that focuses on autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). According to Catherine Kearney, president of the California Teacher Corps, approximately 25,000 teachers will need to take this training before they can have a student with an autism spectrum disorder in their classroom. The deadline for compliance is July 2011.

You can download a Podcast of the story from The Press-Enterprise for more information:

Special-ed teachers’ training includes autism

Marking a new chapter in the realization of life quality for those with autism and other developmental disabilities, the Training, Education & Research Institute (TERI, Inc.) today officially broke ground on construction for the Charles R. Cono Center for Research & Life Planning. Set on 20 acres in North San Diego County, the $50 million campus will directly address the crisis of a growing and aging population with autism and other developmental disabilities by providing a comprehensive array of services and support programs covering their entire lifespan in a dynamic location.

“We believe this university-like campus will be an internationally recognized resource for research, education, training and life quality – something that simply doesn’t exist today,” said Cheryl Kilmer CEO & Founder of TERI. “This is a new model for delivering the services we’ve developed over the past 30 years, and incorporating the ever-evolving programs we develop to meet the needs of our clients and their families as they age.”

The campus includes an exciting variety of state-of-the-art facilities; fitness, arts and education, life quality planning, applied research, childhood development, equestrian therapy, horticulture, culinary arts, extensive vocational training opportunities and aquatics. Through onsite and online training and vocational programs, it will serve children and adults internationally along with their families.

The first phase of construction, launched with a traditional ‘Barn Raising’ celebration featuring clients, staff, community leaders and partners, includes development of The Harriet E. Pfleger Therapeutic Equestrian Center. The Center will include six stalls, a pony parlor washroom, veterinary center, riding arena and walking trails, and picnic patio.

All aspects of the center emphasize sustainability – from its design and construction to horticultural programs and vocational training in green careers for clients. Design incorporates sensory gardens displaying original artwork, sculpture, and unique water features, and hiking trails through lush orchards. Nearly 80 percent of the grounds will be reserved for natural open spaces, providing a relaxed, therapeutic setting.

Services and programs include:

• Education: Specialized schools and vocational training.
• Caregiver and Family Education and Services: Through the International Association for Life Quality, the campus will provide life quality coach certification programs and life quality planning for families.
• Health & Fitness: A two-story, 23,000 square foot Fitness Center with stadium seating, a full gym and conditioning weight room, a dance studio, indoor sport court and indoor two-lane track. Also a 6,000 sq. ft aquatic center offering therapeutic activities in three pools, a yoga studio, sensory therapy room, spa facilities, chiropractic treatment center and juice bar.
• Culinary Education: Culinary school including a commercial kitchen, organic herb and vegetable garden and cafe which will supply healthy and nutritious meals for students, staff, and visitors.
• Arts & Adult Education: Combining music, art, fitness and recreation and vocational opportunities to reinforce basic life skills and enhance independent living skills for individuals aged 22 through retirement.
• Vocational Training: All elements of the campus will provide job training opportunities in a wide array of occupations including food service, horticulture, and administration.

The campus is named in honor of the late Charles R. Cono, a San Diego entrepreneur and philanthropist who contributed $5 million toward the center’s construction. An additional $42 million is currently being fundraised for the next five phases.

Since its inception in 1980, TERI has been implementing its programs in a variety of locations based throughout North County San Diego, serving individuals throughout San Diego County.

Source: TERI, Inc.

I received a message about this job listing and wanted to pass it on to the readers of The Autism Education Site.

Job Summary:

Directs the daily operations of a non-public school, assuring implementation of a California Standards-based curriculum, in compliance with all regulating, licensing and funding agency regulations and requirements. Performs the following duties personally and/or through reporting staff.

For more information, visit the Easter Seals Bay Area website.

The mother of an autistic child joined Consumer Watchdog and its attorneys today to announce a lawsuit against the California Department of Managed Health Care (“DMHC”), the Schwarzenegger Administration agency responsible for regulating many of California’s health insurers. The suit alleges that the DMHC has wrongfully allowed insurance companies to refuse to pay for autism treatments, resulting in the denial of critically needed, medically necessary treatment for autistic children.

The suit, filed by Consumer Watchdog and Strumwasser & Woocher LLP, alleges that the DMHC, and its Director Cindy Ehnes, recently changed the state agency’s policy to permit insurers to deny coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis (“ABA”), an essential treatment for autism, in plain violation of the California Mental Health Parity Act. That law requires health insurers to cover and pay for all medically necessary treatments for autism, including ABA. If successful, the suit would require the DMHC to bar insurers from refusing to cover medically necessary ABA treatments. The suit also seeks to compel the DMHC to turn over records that would expose the full extent of the DMHC’s violations of the California Mental Health Parity Act and the Knox-Keene Act.

“Californians, including those stricken by autism, and their parents and caregivers, expect regulators to enforce the law, not to side with insurance companies seeking to boost their profits by denying patients the care they need,” said Harvey Rosenfield, founder of the non-profit advocacy group Consumer Watchdog and author of the landmark insurance reform initiative Proposition 103. “Governor Schwarzenegger, a longtime and vocal supporter of the Special Olympics and developmentally disabled children, will now have to explain in court why his administration is allowing health insurers to evade state mental health laws and shift health care costs to already beleaguered taxpayers.”

Governor Schwarzenegger, who appointed the current Director of the DMHC, has received $711,200 in campaign contributions from Blue Cross, Kaiser and Blue Shield — three health insurers regulated by the DMHC that commonly deny coverage for autism treatments.

The DMHC’s actions upholding heath insurance denials for medically necessary autism treatment puts children at risk by forcing parents to seek treatment through over-stretched taxpayer-funded programs, or to forgo treatment altogether.

“HMOs and health insurers are denying autistic children the most effective medical treatment that is available, with severe consequences for them, their families, and the state’s taxpayers,” said Fredric D. Woocher, lead counsel in the suit. “Insurance companies are blatantly violating California law. Yet the Department of Managed Health Care is not only standing by and doing nothing to prevent these violations; it is actually supporting the insurers as they abandon autistic children and their families.”

Insurer’s New Tactic in the Battle to Avoid Paying for Autism

ABA is a form of behavioral therapy that has been scientifically proven to improve brain function in autistic children. For years, insurance companies refused to pay for ABA on the grounds that it was “experimental” and that there was insufficient medical evidence to show that it was an effective treatment for autism. But the evidence supporting the efficacy of ABA is now overwhelming. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the United States Surgeon General all agree that behavioral interventions, such as ABA, are a critical component of any comprehensive autism treatment program.

According to the lawsuit, until March of this year, health care consumers were able to appeal an insurer’s denial of ABA through the DMHC’s Independent Medical Review (“IMR”) system, in which a treatment denial is reviewed by a team of doctors that is unaffiliated with the insurance company that denied the treatment and independent of the DMHC.

The suit alleges that as the IMR doctors increasingly overturned insurer treatment denials, compelling the insurers to pay for ABA, insurers privately urged the DMHC to change its procedures and process the treatment denials through the DMHC’s own internal grievance review system. Unlike the IMR system, in which independent doctors evaluate whether a treatment should be provided on the basis of whether it is medically necessary and effective, the grievance system is conducted by DMHC staff, who are not doctors and who simply defer to the insurers’ determination of whether the claim is even covered by their health care policies.

“Health insurers want to re-write the law to benefit their bottom line and the regulators are holding the pen,” said Pam Pressley, Consumer Watchdog’s Litigation Director. “California’s mental health laws are clear: doctors get to decide whether care is needed, not insurance company bureaucrats or government lawyers.”

Consumer Watchdog has learned that the health insurance industry mounted a lobbying campaign to convince the Schwarzenegger Administration that ABA is an “educational” program not covered by health insurance policies. On March 9, 2009, the DMHC issued a memo indicating that the agency would review ABA and other autism treatment denials through the DMHC’s internal grievance system as urged by insurers.

Consumer Watchdog has evidence that the DMHC has in fact upheld the insurers’ denials of ABA on coverage grounds in violation of the Mental Health Parity Act. That law requires insurers to pay for any “medically necessary” and effective autism treatment — a decision that must be made by independent doctors, not by insurance company bureaucrats or government lawyers.

Kristie Sepulveda Burchit, mother of Aidan who suffers from autism, joined the group to announce the lawsuit. Kristie’s insurer, Blue Cross, first refused to provide ABA in 2008 on the ground that it was not medically effective as a treatment for autism. Kristie requested an IMR and the independent physicians who reviewed her appeal overturned the Blue Cross denial. Then, in 2009, shortly after the DMHC issued its March 9 memo, Blue Cross again refused to pay for Burchit’s continued ABA autism treatment, this time on the basis that it supposedly was “not covered” by Kristie’s health insurance policy because ABA is an “educational service.” Burchit has now appealed the denial to the DMHC through the grievance system and is awaiting a decision from the regulator. Consumer Watchdog said that if it wins the lawsuit, the DMHC would have to order Blue Cross to provide ABA treatment for Aidan.

The suit also alleges that the DMHC and its Director Cindy Ehnes:

— Illegally instituted a policy of denying ABA treatment on the ground
that providers were inadequately licensed, despite the fact that the
law clearly requires health insurers to cover all medically necessary
treatments for autism, including ABA, whenever such services are
either provided or supervised by a licensed or certified professional.
— Illegally withheld public documents properly requested under the
California Public Records Act, which would expose how the DMHC
conducts its “grievance system” and would reveal the full extent of
the DMHC’s violations of the mental health parity law.

Nearly 1 out of every 150 children born in the United States is diagnosed with autism. As of December 2007, the California Department of Developmental Services provided care to nearly 37,000 Californians with autism.

On a different note, don’t forget to register to win a free WELLalarm Medical ID Sticker product (retail value $30).

NBA Star Doug Christie Set to Lace Up His Sneakers and Shoot Baskets to Raise Funding for Vista Del Mar’s Autism Enrichment Programs

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 18 /PRNewswire/ — Today, one in every 150 individuals is diagnosed with Autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Until a cure for Autism is found, children with Autism must struggle to find friends and feel a sense of belonging due to their differences. On this Father’s Day, June 21, 2009, NBA Star Doug Christie will lace up his sneakers for a little 3 point basketball play, on behalf of children and their families who live with Autism.

Christie will be shooting baskets, posing for pictures and more to raise awareness and funding for VIP (Vista’s Inspire Program), a new program of Vista Del Mar, which serves children with autism, spectrum disorder and other special needs. Wife Jackie, Author of the new best selling book “Proud To Be A Colored Girl,” daughter Chani and son Douglas Jr. are joining Christie to spend Father’s Day sharing gifts and support with the families and friends of those in the program.

“Our family is so happy to be able to spend a meaningful Father’s Day with the children, reminding them how special they are in our hearts,” Doug Christie remarked. “We hope to make the day a little brighter, encourage a few young minds and make those baskets to raise some much needed funding.”

The Christie family is dedicated to reaching out to communities across the Nation through their many philanthropic efforts.

“My dad has always taught me I can do anything!” son Douglas Christie, Jr. announces. “I want to share that with other kids!”

Christie is definitely a significant inspiration to his family, as his son Douglas has already enjoyed recognition as the author of “Dougie Learns to Ride” truly understanding the importance of family support and sharing that legacy. The Christies on whole, put great value in sharing with others, as seen in the establishment of the Infinite Love Foundation, created to inspire, educate, and empower others. This Father’s Day, they hope to fulfill the mission of their Infinite Love and want others will come out and join them.

The Celebrity Basketball Tournament, presented by Stanley Black, will take place on June 21, 2009 at the Galen Center, located at the University of Southern California. The event kicks off at 9:00 am and the Christies are scheduled to arrive soon after noon. Other participants and sponsors of this exciting day of play include Variety, William Morris Agency, ICM, The Harlem Globetrotters, Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation, City National Bank, the Zenith and more. All funds raised will support Vista Del Mar programs for children and families living with autism and other special needs under the leadership of Elaine Hall (Coach E), as seen in the HBO documentary, “Autism: the Musical”. Family activities include the Harlem Globetrotters, basketball clinics, art projects and much more.

A 13-year old teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome went missing from his Florida home yesterday. Kenton Weaver’s father, Dean Weaver, first reported his son missing early Tuesday morning. Fast forward about 24 hours and the elder Weaver received a phone call informing the dad that his son has been located. The call came from a police officer in San Jose, California. The teen made the cross-country trip by plane because he wanted to visit his mother.

“The previous two days, Weaver says, his son made unsuccessful attempts to leave, going to the Boca Raton Tri-Rail station. The first time a taxi cab driver brought him home, the second time a security guard returned him to his father.

This time, though, 13-year old Kenton apparently drove his father’s car to Ft. Lauderdale airport. Mr. Weaver says he doesn’t believe his son had any identification with him. How he was able to get on a flight across the country is still unknown.” Source: CBS12.com

I know, first-hand, the persistence that a child with Asperger’s Syndrome can have. I am glad that Kenton was found and that he is safe.

Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. However, the majority of media attention is geared at children. This is likely due to the success of early intervention services. However, there is a whole population of autistic adults out there right now and services are spotty. One clinic in Sacramento, California is focusing on providing comprehensive services to adults on the autism spectrum.

“The pediatric neurologist is starting a unique clinic for people with autism, aged 18 to 21.

“A clinic specifically that says we’re going to take care of neuro-developmentally disabled patients with autism and similar conditions, who grow up out of the pedicatric age group and want to come to a place where we understand their medical problems,” said Dr. Chez. “

Read the entire article: California clinic to treat adult autism

Located in Laguna Hills, California, the New Vista School is “a grade 6-12 independent school centrally located in Orange County, California, dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing educational environment while serving the needs of students with Asperger Syndrome, high-functioning Autism, and others who may benefit from small class size, individualized programs, and social skills development.”

Information about the school can be found in the Autism Schools – California section of The Autism Education Site.

A new autism school has opened in San Diego, California. The ACES Academy will work with children on the autism spectrum from Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. The school is located in the Hillcrest area of San Diego ans had been added to the California Autism Schools section of The Autism Education Site.