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New York State Autism Insurance Law – “No one said it would be easy”
On November 1, 2011 New York State became the 29th state to require regulated health insurance plans to cover “medically necessary” services for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for both children and adults. The legislation was intended to help families afford the...
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The Power of Dialogue: Small Business and Career Mentoring
As a small business owner and non-profit administrator, I have had exposure to a variety of work experiences. The most difficult experiences ultimately taught me new strategies I didn’t know I needed to learn. For example, in a job interview several years ago, I disclosed my diagnosis of autism....
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Funding Home Programs and Private Schools – Possible, Yes! Easy? Not Exactly
You have learned that your child requires intensive intervention and educational services. A school district may provide your child with the services your child requires on the IEP. To help support your request for an intensive (and what is oftentimes, costly) educational program, provide your...
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The Massachusetts Autism Commission’s Report: Recommendations to Create a Comprehensive Autism Service System
The bill creating the Massachusetts Autism Commission was signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in April 2010. Membership was required by law to consist of four members of the Massachusetts state legislature, fourteen representatives from state agencies, and fourteen citizen members including...
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The Importance of Integrative Care: Collaboration Among Therapists, Doctors and Family
Climbing on the playground tower at the Fay J. Lindner Center was a bundle of energy and joy named Joshua. Dressed in swim trunks from his camp day, hair cut short and handsome and a T-shirt covered with Angry Birds stickers, Joshua slid down the pole, gave his mom a quick hug and kiss, and plopped...
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The Costs of Raising a Teenage Son with Autism
Researchers at the Children’s Institute, a not-for-profit organization affiliated with the University of Rochester, NY, studied the connection between autism and the hemorrhage of cash a family endures when one of their own has the condition. “It’s a disorder that seems to have an impact on...
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The Challenge of Early Intervention Law for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their Families
In the contentious world surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), one issue bridges the gap among researchers, parents, advocates, health and educational professionals and policymakers -- Early Intervention (Part C of the IDEA) for infants and toddlers with ASD works and provides the best...
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The Alien World of Work for Adults with Autism
After college, one is confronted with the confounding world of job searching. Unlike anything one has experienced before, a job search is filled with resumes, cover letters, and interviews, salary negotiations, networking, and writing that looks nothing like the work just finished to earn a degree....
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Protecting the Financial Future of Your Child with Autism
Parents of children with autism know that just getting through day-to-day life requires careful planning. Many parents do not consider that financial planning for their child with autism also requires careful and special planning, especially when the child may not be able to support or care for...
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Positive Psychology in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Using a positive psychology approach in working with individuals with an autism spectrum disorder can help them lead a fuller and a more enriched quality of life. Optimism, resilience and kindness are some of the key traits at the core of positive psychology. Through positive psychology, we can...
