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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 …
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 …
Autism Speaks executive Val Paradiz appointed to federal autism committee… U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today that Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., vice president of services and supports at Autism Speaks, has been appointed as one of 20 new as well as two returning public members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), an advisory group on federal autism activities. Along with federal members of the committee from key agencies and departments serving … IACC plays a critical role in deciding where our federal priorities should lie in funding autism services and research to support autistic people of all ages,” said Dr. Paradiz. “I look forward to working with other members of the committee to …
Autism Speaks national board member Dr. Tom Frazier appointed to federal autism committee… has been appointed as one of two new members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee ( IACC ), an advisory group on federal autism activities. He will serve alongside other public stakeholders as well as federal committee members … IACC plays a critical role in deciding where our federal priorities should lie in funding autism services and research to support autistic people across the spectrum and of all ages,” said Dr. Frazier. “I look forward to working to ensure that …
Meet Malachi… is now preparing to graduate high school this spring and take on the next phase of his life. With the help of a rock-solid support team of therapists and teachers, and his mom Nonnie, helping to navigate his autism journey, Malachi is thriving. … potential – even if it meant battling discrimination and racism. “At first, Malachi did not have access to the services and support he needed. The biggest hurdle in the early years was insurance paying for occupational, physical and speech … was getting through to the public school district. To them, my son was just another child of color who would end up in a group home. “We eventually left that school district as soon as possible and ended up in a different area of the city, and …
2022 Advocacy Highlights… that ensure billions of dollars are dedicated at the federal and state levels to improving and expanding the services, supports and opportunities available to autistic people. Today, we celebrate the policy milestones and accomplishments that … appropriate for autistic children and young adults enrolled in Medicaid. Oklahoma will require state-regulated small group and individual health insurance plans to provide meaningful coverage of autism services beginning in 2023 thanks to …
Autism & Disparities: Addressing the Needs of Underserved Communities… Asian-American, and Native American communities within the United States. Recognizing the diversity that exists within groups, the panelists did not speak on behalf of all members of their larger communities. However, their voices provide … of people who are also affected by social and economic disparities associated with belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group. Autism Speaks is committed to addressing these disparities by advocating for passage of the Autism CARES Act of 2019 … as well as by partnering with the Ad Council and Sesame Workshop on a new public awareness campaign . We appreciate the support of advocates like our panelists and congressional legislative champions in providing the vision and opportunity to …
A guide to resources we offer from screening to adulthood… an autism diagnosis and in accessing related services. To help reduce this disparity, we are committed to providing support to our Hispanic community. Resources At autismspeaks.org you will find a tab,  ¿Que es el autismo?  which provides … their child’s autism diagnosis. Manual de Defensa  helps autistic individuals and their families advocate for services and supports they need. Manual de Planificación Financiera  provides parents tips on accessing financial support and planning … Tony’s experience  adulting on the spectrum. Social Media Voces Latinas de Autism Speaks is our Spanish speaking Facebook group to support parents and autistic individuals. Through this network, we share resources and experiences to build our …
Why accepting my flaws was important as an autistic mom… buried it by just getting through it. This summer, I want to encourage all of you to start healing. Seek help through your support group. Friends, family, and any others you trust. Even if you are nonverbal, your "words" still matter.  I have a lot to say …