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Community input and conversations… spotlight diverse voices and encourage candid, real conversations. Our goal is to create a space where people can find the support and information most relevant to them. Many of our own team members, leaders and partners are autistic or have an …
Our evolution… evolve to address important issues for the autism community—from transition age and adult services to health disparities, supports for those with severe and challenging behaviors and more. On a state policy level, in the early 2000s, we launched … the fields of healthcare, employment, education, financial planning, safety and law enforcement interactions, caregiver supports and more. Increased autistic representation and community engagement Over the years, Autism Speaks has made … increasing access to quality care and enhancing our understanding of autism across the lifespan. Autism Speaks does not support eugenics and no longer supports research that aims to find a cure for autism. Greater focus on inclusion and …
Autism Speaks controversy and common misconceptions… Today, misconceptions around autism threaten access to vital information, resources and support that autistic people and their families need . While we recognize that autism is incredibly complex and manifests … Consider the facts Help us stop the spread of misinformation. Share this Autism Speaks flyer on social media to show your support. … Autism Speaks controversy and common misconceptions …
Expert Q&A: Supporting siblings of autistic children with aggressive behaviors … for the other child and have long term effects if unaddressed.  It's important for parents and caregivers to know how to support their children through these challenges by acknowledging their feelings, keeping lines of communication open and teaching healthy coping strategies. Support groups can be a valuable tool, giving both siblings and parents a safe space to share their experiences and learn new …
The Hatching Hope Foundation brings advocacy and support to Dallas-Fort Worth families… triplets, was diagnosed with autism in 2012 at age 2.5, she struggled to find much-needed information, services and social supports in her area. This struggle motivated Sabrina to commit her life to helping underserved families in Ft. Worth, Texas … she founded the Hatching Hope Foundation, an organization that provides parent training about autism, individual and family support services, and special education advocacy. In 2019, Keshawn tragically passed away from Osteosarcoma, a rare form of … someone who really understands what it’s like to be a parent living with a child with severe autism. Our Facebook support group, Autism Mocha Moms , has been another great way to connect with parents in the community. The group was created to …
How general education teachers can support students with ASD… to autism is nearly non-existent and rarely mandatory.   As a result, even the best teachers can be unsure how to properly support their autistic students. Some even struggle to understand autism. Ethan Hirschberg experienced this in high school . … course in autism to promote awareness and acceptance and to help create an inclusive classroom environment that not only supports autistic students but the entire class.   But the learning does not stop and start with one teacher in one … autistic student is likely to have anxiety in social situations, particularly with peers. Carefully consider pairings when group work is required. It is best to ask for input from family and past teachers. Do not assume an autistic student and an …
Autism Speaks strongly supports new rule to reduce barriers to health care services for many autistic people… Autism Speaks joined in coalition with other key health advocacy organizations to strongly support the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) proposed rule , issued by the Department of Treasury, the … such as applied behavior analysis, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, cannot be excluded from any individual or group health insurance plan subject to MHPAEA. Evaluating network adequacy and design issues We also support the …   … Autism Speaks strongly supports new rule to reduce barriers to health care services for many autistic people …
Autism Speaks connects families and caregivers of children with autism to essential skills through Caregivers Skills Training program… Caregiver Skills Training (CST) for Families of Children with Developmental Delays or Disabilities, developed with the support of Autism Speaks, addresses the lack of specialized care available in some parts of the world and teaches caregivers … courses and digital content, including quick tip videos, quizzes and prompts, to caregivers who lack access to in-person group trainings,” said Dr. Chiara Servili, who leads WHO’s work on the mental and brain health of children and adolescents. … participants gain insight directly from trained community members and other families to further strengthen their local support network. In delivering resources to help children with autism and their families reach their full potential, Autism …
Virginia passes legislation to expand autism insurance mandate… for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children ages two to six under state-regulated, large group plans. In 2015, we passed legislation that raised the age cap to ten years old. This year, the state legislature has … individuals with autism of all ages under state-regulated, large group plans starting in January 2020. We appreciate the support of our legislative champions and the growth in bipartisan support over our ten years of autism insurance work in Virginia, and we are grateful for the collaboration and determination …
Utah autism insurance mandate expanded! … requiring coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder under state-regulated, individual and large group plans. However, this coverage was limited to children ages 2-10 years old. Coverage for behavioral health treatments, … behavior analysis (ABA), was also limited to 600 hours per year (approximately 11.5 hours per week).   Thanks to the support of the Utah state legislature and Governor, these restrictions in coverage for autism have been removed. Effective … and treatment of autism if claims for autism coverage caused premiums to increase in excess of 1%. We are grateful for the support of the legislative champions and local advocates that helped achieve this milestone! Access to meaningful and …