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

Town Hall Meeting

CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC MEETING ON BUDGET CUTSThe Clark County School District will be hosting a public meeting todiscuss the pending budget cuts for elementary, middle and high schools.This meeting will take place at Western High School, located at 4601 W.Bonanza Road at Decatur Boulevard. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. onTuesday, Nov. 18. This is an important meeting to attend to share yourinput with the school board.The Clark County School District wants to get public feedback on theupcoming budget cuts.The district will hold two town hall meetings.• Nov. 18 -- Western High School, 4601 W. Bonanza Road, 6 p.m.• Nov. 19 -- Chaparral High School, 3850 Annie Oakley Drive, 6p.m.__._,_.___

Positive Behavior Support; Las Vegas

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT – NV
LAS VEGAS PARENT TRAINING

A new session of PBS Parent Training is about to begin!
Understand challenging behaviors and develop effective strategies

Who is this for?
PBS Parent Training is for parents, family members, friends, teachers, staff and other professionals of individuals with disabilities who engage in challenging behaviors. Children do not attend the trainings. Daycare is not provided; please make other arrangements.

What do we mean by challenging behavior?
Challenging behaviors are behaviors that create a significant barrier to participation in
family life, school, work, or community activities. Challenging behaviors may be
dangerous, aggressive, self-injurious, or highly disruptive.

What is the goal/outcome of this training?
In this training, you will: 1.) Identify one challenging behavior 2.) Understand the purpose of that behavior 3.) Develop strategies to decrease the problem behavior 4.) Increase overall quality of life for everyone involved

Dates: Thursdays on 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11 & 12/18.

Each session builds on the previous session- you must plan to attend ALL sessions.

Time: 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Dinner provided

Location: Desert Regional Center 1391 S. Jones Blvd. Administration Building.


Fees: A ONE TIME donation of $20 is requested to cover the cost of dinner. If you cannot pay, please still attend. The donation is tax deductible and if paid with check, you will receive a receipt.

For more information or to register, please contact Ray Reece @ (702) 332-3555 or rreece@unr. Edu Space is limited- call today to reserve your spot!

Sponsored by:
PBS-NV, Sierra Regional Center & UNR, with funding from:
The Fund for a Healthy Nevada and
The Office of Disability Services

Cecilia's Dog Fancy article

This Friday I have a wonderful opportunity to speek to 5 separate 3rd grade classes. They are all at Cecilia's school. Which will gratefully cut my travel time!

While searching and preparing I remembered Cecilia's Dog Fancy article. You may view it by clicking on the following link. Request a copy of Dog Fancy article.

http://bnhtomahawking@gmail.com


It shows a sweet little portion of our life here at home.

Being Heard

The day is finally here. Did it not seem like a long time? The atmosphere at the polling place was palpable. No matter who the candidate, there was a great deal of history to be made. I will note one small bit that I did notice while watching NBC's coverage. They referred to Barrack Obama as "President". It was only 5 pm. Pacific Time. (where I live) Without much hard data reported. I must say all opinions aside, what a privilege it is to stand there and make our own choices. With that said, as my personal plea to our loosening of tongues, I cast my ballot in privacy.