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Tennessee Autism Insurance Reform Update… (UHC) and Cigna have voluntarily added coverage for ABA in many of their fully insured plans . This means that 93% of large group plans, 84% of small group plans and 63% of individual plans in the fully insured market in Tennessee now cover ABA for autism! If you are not … to your employer to add the benefit. Please refer to Autism Speaks’ Self-Funded Employer Toolkit for tips and materials to support your efforts. If you can get a meeting with your Human Resources Department to discuss, a member of the Autism …
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 …
Family in Remote Area Seeks Autism Treatment Guidance… and playing with your child. It will help your child if you all try to be consistent in the way you teach skills. Create a support and advocacy group.  Find other parents of children with autism in your area. We’ve watched communities in remote locations around the world develop parent networks to assist and support each other. Your local parent network can also advocate for better services in your region! There is no easy answer …
Legislator Jim Patterson remembered as a legislative champion… Parents and activists gave up time at work and drove for hours to make sure legislators saw them (and their children). A group of Democratic and Republican senators warned that they would hold the session hostage if the bill didn't come to a … for Representative Patterson’s leadership, dedication, and perseverance; and we will honor his memory as we continue to support individuals with autism in Alabama.   The following arrangements have been made for Jim Patterson: Visitation – …
Autism Speaks commends Tennessee as it becomes 50th state requiring that insurance plans cover autism… On August 1, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance issued a bulletin requiring all individual, small and large group plans to cover medically necessary care for autism, including applied behavior analysis (ABA). "People with autism and … and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes …
COVID-19 survey reveals widespread challenges for autism community and wider disparities for minority communities … community are struggling even more, particularly with basic needs.”  Minority respondents, who made up about half of the group surveyed, reported more struggles with a variety of needs related to the pandemic, basic needs, daily routines and education.  The largest disparities were in the areas of food insecurity and receiving distance learning supports, with nonwhite respondents experiencing twice the food insecurity of white respondents and twice as likely to not receive any distance learning supports. Food insecurity was measured as food for the household having run out and families not having enough money to buy …