Bringing Autism Insurance Mandates into Compliance with the Affordable Care Act

• By: Cari Brown, BS Autism Advocate and Consultant
• July 1st, 2014
• ABA therapy access, advocacy, Affordable Care Act, autism insurance mandates, healthcare policy changes, insurance coverage limits, state regulations, treatment access barriers
• 2562    0

When care isn’t taken, grave problems can arise when a state’s autism insurance mandate is brought into compliance with the ACA. Starting in 2014, “dollar value” limits for essential health benefits are not allowed per the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more frequently called...

ASN Spring 2014 Issue

• April 1st, 2014
• adults with autism, advocacy, employment challenges, job accommodations, neurodiversity, social skills, workplace inclusion
• 4208    0

"Autism in the Workplace"   Articles in This...

ASN Fall 2013 Issue

• October 1st, 2013
• advocacy, autism services, disability support, family caregivers, financial planning, healthcare costs, public benefits, social services
• 3461    0

"Managing the Financial Needs of Autism"   Articles in This...

The Massachusetts Autism Commission’s Report: Recommendations to Create a Comprehensive Autism Service System

• By: Faith Behum, MPP Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
• October 1st, 2013
• adult services, advocacy, autism policy, data systems, disability eligibility, legislative recommendations, Massachusetts, public education, service coordination, state services
• 2164    0

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...

The Critical Importance of Advocacy and Government Relations

• By: M. Christopher Tabakin, MS Melmark
• January 1st, 2013
• advocacy, autism support, civic engagement, disability services, elected officials, government, government relations, intellectual disability, lobbying, public policy
• 2322    0

The term “advocacy” often elicits many different thoughts. The actual word “advocacy” is defined as “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.” We advocate all the time, and for many different things. Most are very worthwhile causes, and others are perhaps more trivial (have...

Steps to Empower Families to Access Early Intervention

• By: Bernadette Murphy Bentley, MPA Tufts Medical Center
• October 1st, 2012
• advocacy, autism services, care navigation, early intervention, families, family support, parent empowerment, resource guidance
• 2374    0

In my six years as Autism Resource Specialist in the Center for Children with Special Needs at Floating Hospital for Children in Tufts Medical Center in Boston, I have met with hundreds of families in the moments after their young child receives an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Although...

Dear Self

• By: Carrie Cariello
• October 1st, 2012
• acceptance, advocacy, autism journey, early intervention, emotional support, family, neurodiversity, parents and caregivers, personal stories
• 2243    0

A few weeks ago I read an issue of People Magazine that featured one of the Real Housewives of New Jersey and her newly-diagnosed autistic son. The headline bleated something like, “Jersey Housewife Fights to Save Her Son!” When I read this, I felt a surge of outrage. Save? Save? After a...

ASN Summer 2012 Issue

• July 1st, 2012
• advocacy, community engagement, community services, independence, quality of life, resources, support services
• 4207    0

"Vital Supports and Services in the Community"   Articles in This...

How to Effectively Advocate for Your Child’s Transition with Your School District

• By: Maria C. McGinley, MST, JD Mayerson & Associates
• April 1st, 2012
• advocacy, children, IEP meeting, planning, post-secondary education, post-secondary transition, services, transition
• 2674    0

Parents of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum are often concerned about their child’s transition from the structured environment of a school-based program to the post-secondary world and all of the hurdles that transition entails. A student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is the...

The Road to Adulthood

• By: Carolann Garafola, MA Mt. Bethel Village
• April 1st, 2012
• adults, advocacy, employment, financial planning, guardianship, housing, independent living, planning, transition planning, transition to adulthood
• 2508    0

Transition from school to the adult world is exhilarating for some, terrifying for others. Some families have described it “like falling off a cliff and never knowing when we will hit the bottom or climb back to the precipice.” This time is well-described by the hundreds of families who worry...