Education

Parents of Children With Autism
Washington
Parents of children with autism tend to have a more pessimistic outlook about the educational resources available to their children than parents of children without disabilities, according to a new survey.
The parents of children with autism are also more worried about their children’s health, future financial independence, and community support. However, there are differences among families dealing with autism, with the parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome, a less-severe manifestation of the disorder, indicating that they generally had more positive feelings about their children’s futures.
The study was released today by Chicago-based Easter Seals and MassMutual Financial Group, in partnership with the Autism Society of America. MassMutual, based in Springfield, Mass., offers financial and life-planning services to families of people with disabilities.

“The results were not a surprise to us at all,” said Lee Grossman, the president and chief executive officer of the ASA, headquartered in Bethesda, Md. “There are tremendous unmet needs for these people and their families.”
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by repetitive behavior and impaired social interaction. There are a number of disorders on the autism “spectrum,” including Asperger’s syndrome and “pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified,” which is a diagnosis given to a person who exhibits some, but not all, of the characteristics of autism.
Answers to the online survey were gathered between June 16 and July 17 of this year, and included responses from 1,652 parents of children under the age of 30 with autism and 917 parents of typically developing children. For many of the questions, the survey was able to break down the answers into parents of children with autism, parents of children with Asperger’s, and parents of children with PDD-NOS. No margin of error was available, according to Harris Interactive, which conducted the poll.
Preparation for Life
About 70 percent of parents of children with autism said they were concerned about their child’s education, compared with 36 percent of parents of typically developing children. About 56 percent of parents of typically developing children said they believe their children have “received education to adequately prepare him/her for life,” compared with 19 percent of parents who have children with an autism-spectrum disorder.
However, breaking down the results by diagnostic category showed that parents of children diagnosed with autism were the most affected, with 74 percent saying they were concerned about their child’s education. About 56 percent of families affected by Asperger’s felt that way.
Eighteen percent of families with autism said their children’s education adequately prepared them for life. Parents of children with Asperger’s were slightly more pleased, with 20 percent saying their child’s education left him or her adequately prepared for life.
In the survey, about 50 percent of parents of children with disabilities said their children spent all or most of their time in special education classes as opposed to “mainstream” classes. For children with autism, parents reported that 64 percent were always or mostly in special education classes, compared with 45 percent of children with PDD-NOS and 21 percent of children with Asperger’s.
Schools play a critical role in the lives of children with autism, because for many, it’s the first place that may suggest that their child has a developmental disorder that needs further investigation, said Barbara Gaither, a parent who attended the release of the survey results. School is also the primary provider of services for younger students, she added. Her son Scottie Gaither, 9, has autism and is the Easter Seals’ 2008 National Child Representative.
Though Ms. Gaither said she is happy with Scottie’s school in Columbus, Ga., “I’m still a little worried about middle school and high school.” There tend to be fewer services for older children, she said.
Patricia Wright, the national director for autism services for Easter Seals, said the survey will be used raise awareness of the issues faced by parents of children with autism.
“The one consistent message Easter Seals hears from the families we serve, after the initial apprehension and anxiety of learning their child has autism, is an overwhelming concern about the lifelong supports their child with autism may need to be independent,” she said.

Autism affects 1 in every 150 children.....Care before you have to...

Support Group Info

Hi everyone,Due to the closeness of the holidays, there will be no support groupmeeting in January.Our next Asperger's Syndrome/High Functioning Autism Support Group willbe held on Wednesday, February 4th, from 7-9pm in the Wengert ConferenceRoom at Nevada Power Company (6226 W. Sahara Avenue - between Jones &Rainbow) -- parking is in the rear of the building -- walk-up ramp nextto the drive thru tellers.Have a wonderful holiday!Barbie LauverAsperger's Syndrome/High Functioning Autism Support Group

Social Skills Group

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) face unique challenges with social interaction in all kinds of settings. To help them develop the necessary skills and understanding to integrate more successfully social skills building groups have been shown to be effective. After school programs offer children with ASD growth enhancing opportunities. Research has shown that structured after school activities promote development in social and personal development.
Tandem Therapy
Specializing in Intensive Behavior and Communication for Children with Autism and Other Developmental Delays.

Offering After School Social Sills Groups beginning January 2009
· Elementary Groups Grades K-5
· Middle School Groups Grades 6-8
· High School Groups Grades 9-12
Groups will meet for one hour sessions once a week. Session cost is $30. Social Groups will be purchased in advance for Six Sessions blocks.
Tandem Therapy's Director, Chris Holcomb is the only Board Certified Behavior Analyst who is also a Board Certified Speech Language Pathologist in the state of Nevada. He specializes in the treatment of families with children who have been diagnosed with Autism.
Social Skills Trainer, Nancy Fitzgerald is a certified Special Education teacher. Mrs. Fitzgerald has over thirty years experience with special education children including children with autism. Mrs. Fitzgerald is currently finishing her PhD. in Special Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with an emphasis in Autism and Specific Learning Disabilities. Mrs. Fitzgerald is also a Professional Developer in the Strategic Instruction Model from University of Kansas.

For more information call: Susan 396-0101

Fall Workshop Invitation:)

From: autism1@unlv.nevada.eduTo: autism@post-office.nevada.eduSent: 11/25/2008 1:49:41 P.M. Pacific Standard TimeSubj: Fundamentals of Behavior
FALL WORKSHOP INVITATION!Fundamentals of Behavior: Understanding Why Problem Behaviors Occur in Order toPromote Positive ChangesThis workshop is designed to provide parents and professionals with vitalknowledge about fundamentals of behavior.Topics Include:•Setting Events•How environment influences behavior•Antecedents to behavior•Consequences that maintain behavior•Functional approach to behaviorCome learn about why people with disabilities often rely on problem behaviors.Understand basic principles of behavior in order to get the behaviors you want!When:Monday December 8th, 2008 5:30pm to 8:30pmWhere:UNLV, Continuing Education @ Paradise Campus 851 East Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Room: 103BThis workshop is free, but space is limited!Please RSVP via phone or email at:Center for Autism Spectrum DisordersUNLV Department of Special Education895-5836autism1@unlv.nevada.eduwww.asdcenter.org

Governor Creates Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder

For Immediate Release: November 19, 2008
GOVERNOR CREATES COMMISSION ON AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
(Carson City, NV) – Governor Jim Gibbons today signed an executive order creatingthe Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder and charged it with continuing the work ofthe Nevada Autism Task Force, which dissolved by statute earlier this year.
The Nevada Autism Task Force was created by the Nevada Legislature in 2007through Assembly Bill 629 and presented a report to the Governor on July 31, 2008 thatmade 146 recommendations on how to improve autism services and screening in Nevada.“The incredible growth in the number of children born with Autism is striking,” theGovernor said. “The Nevada Autism Task Force, and all those who partnered with it, did atremendous job illuminating the amount of work that needs to be done to address Autismin Nevada. My hope is that the Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder will continue thework of the task force and be a strong voice advocating for the recommendations made inthe report.”
The Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder will consist of three membersappointed by the Governor. It is required to update the Governor on its actions on or beforeJune 30 and Dec. 31 of each year. The three members of the commission have not yet beenappointed.
The incidence of Autism has increased greatly in recent years, and it’s now estimatedthat 1 in 150 newborn babies will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Studieshave shown that 47 percent of children receiving intensive early intervention go on to leadindependent lives, while 90 percent of children who do not receive intervention need alifetime of care.
The full report of the Nevada Autism Task Force can be found online through theNevada Department of Health and Human Services at: http://dhhs.nv.gov.
Executive Order by the Governor Establishing the Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder
(http://gov.state.nv.us/EO/2008/EO-2008-11-19_Autism.pdf)

Thanksgiving Tips for Special Needs Children

As many of our families prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving next week, members of the Autism Speaks community have provided tips to ensure that children with autism have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Read more and share your suggestions on our social network.

Insurance for Autism

Dear Nevada Autism Advocate,
The autism insurance reform movement in Nevada is ramping up to achieve coverage for children with autism this year. We need everyone's help!
Volunteers in four other states - Arizona, Florida, Louisiana and Pennsylvania have been able to achieve insurance coverage for their children this year! A total of seven states now meet standards of appropriate coverage, ending autism insurance discrimination and covering treatments and therapies that are medically necessary for our children, such as speech, occupational therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy.
HOW CAN YOU HELP IN NEVADA?
1. VISIT the AutismVotes.org website and register to receive advocacy alerts. This will ensure that you receive the most updated information as quickly as possible.
2. EMAIL US if you are interested in serving as a District Captain to lead efforts in your own home district, attend rallies, speak with state legislators, attend hearings at the capitol and help us spread the word.
3. FORWARD this email to your family, friends, neighbors, teachers, therapists and co-workers...anyone who lives in Nevada that would be interested in helping you work to end insurance discrimination for children with autism statewide!
For more information on the autism insurance reform effort in Nevada, visit www.autismvotes.org/nevada.
Have a GREAT week!
Shelley HendrixDirector, State Advocacy RelationsAutism Speaks