Early next week Governor Doyle will sign into law the budget bill that
includes the provision of autism insurance coverage!

The following is posted on the website of Wisconsin Autism Insurance Now:

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY REACH BUDGET AGREEMENT; AUTISM INSURANCE MANDATE ON
GOVERNOR¹S DESK!!!!

June 26, 2009

The Senate and Assembly have reached an agreement on the state budget, and
the bill includes the Assembly version of the autism insurance mandate which
requires at least $50,000/year for intensive services and $25,000/year for
nonintensive services.

The budget bill is now on Gov. Doyle¹s desk awaiting his signature and Doyle
is expected to sign the bill early next week!!!

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this bill become a
reality, including attending and testifying at legislative hearings and
contacting lawmakers to express your support.

We owe a great deal of gratitude to our legislative champions, Sen. Judy
Robson and Rep. Kim Hixson! Please take time to thank both of them again.
We wouldn¹t be here today without their steadfast support.

Please also thank our biggest champion, Gov. Jim Doyle, who has fought for
the autism insurance mandate for the past two sessions.

Please watch for another posting when the budget bill is signed.

Nissan Bar-Lev, ASW President
Amy Masek, Legislative Committee

Supreme Court Backs Reimbursement for Private Tuition
By Mark Walsh and Erik W. Robelen
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/06/22/36scotusspecialed.h28.html?tkn=WYWF\
sKmbSaxctfTEay8oeZ3tiYO7xc6omnYY

Federal law authorizes reimbursements for private school tuition, even when a
child has never received special education services from a public school, the
U.S. Supreme Court ruled today.
The justices ruled 6-3 in Forest Grove School District v. T.A. (Case No. 08-305)
that 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act meant to
rein in the costs of private school placements did not remove the power of
hearing officers and federal judges to order such reimbursements under the
proper circumstances.
Go to above link to read the whole article.

Sorry, somehow my comments at the beginning of the article did not make it into
the post.


While this is Michigan it does relate to BCBS. BCBS issued a 123
page document earlier this Spring again declaring ABA Experimental.
Funny, the "experts" that wrote the document did not have the spine
to attach their names to it. This case illustrates why. The actual
data clearly says just the opposite, even when it comes from BCBS's
own files!

If anyone has BCBS Coverage and it is OUT OF MICHIGAN this may be
very important for you. Hope it helps someone.


--- In opengaautism@yahoogroups.com, "Robert W. Montgomery, Ph.D., BCBA"
<rwmontgomery@...> wrote:
>
> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Forced to Pay for Autism Care In Landmark
Case
>
> Release issued by Mantese and Rossman, P.C., on June 19, 2009
>
> Detroit, Michigan. The family of an autistic child filed a motion in
> federal court today to confirm settlement of a class action against
> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The family alleged in the suit
> that the insurer wrongfully refused to cover behavioral therapy for
> children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), on the baseless ground
> that the care was "experimental."
>
> Under the terms of the settlement reached at a court-ordered conference
> on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, Blue Cross has agreed to reimburse all
> families who paid for behavioral therapy for their children after May 1,
> 2003, and who were covered under a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
> insurance policy. Blue Cross had earlier filed a motion seeking
> dismissal of virtually the entire case on legal grounds, but the
> Honorable Stephen J. Murphy III permitted the case to go forward and
> scheduled the matter for further proceedings, including a settlement
> conference before Magistrate Michael Hluchaniuk.
>
> The settlement was reached in the case of Christopher Johns v. Blue
> Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, 08-cv-12272, filed in Detroit. In the
> suit, the plaintiff alleged that Blue Cross' pattern and practice of
> characterizing the scientifically established Applied Behavioral Therapy
> as "experimental," and thus as excluded under its insurance policies,
> was arbitrary, capricious, illegal and contradicted by many years of
> scientific validation.
>
> Under the settlement, Blue Cross will pay for behavioral therapy
> rendered to over 100 children in the last six years. Plaintiff's
> counsel, Gerard Mantese and John J. Conway, were pleased with the
> settlement. Mr. Mantese and Mr. Conway issued a joint statement
> emphasizing: "No insurer should ever take this approach to needed care
> for children. Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy is supported by
> science and is not 'experimental.' Delays by insurers in authorizing
> this treatment, when it is covered by insurance policies, should not be
> tolerated. Research shows that children with autism spectrum disorder
> need this therapy early on in life and delaying treatment can
> irreversibly prevent them from achieving their full potential."
>
> Mr. Mantese emphasized that the settlement includes even families who
> never submitted a claim to Blue Cross, but who obtained this care for
> their children and were covered by a Blue Cross policy. Mr. Conway
> believes that this is the first such settlement addressing Applied
> Behavioral Analysis (ABA) in the country.
>
> ABA therapy is administered under the supervision of licensed
> psychologists and other professionals. ABA applies one hundred year old
> concepts of changing behavior through positive and negative
> reinforcements. The federal suit in which this settlement was achieved
> centered upon the ABA treatment provided by prestigious Beaumont
> Hospital and its HOPE Center, including Dr. Ruth Anan and Dr. Lori
> Warner.
>
> The case settled shortly after Plaintiff's counsel obtained a court
> order requiring Blue Cross to produce file documents which validated the
> effectiveness of ABA therapy for treating children with autism spectrum
> disorder. Among the documents in the Blue Cross files obtained by
> Plaintiff's counsel was a draft of a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical
> Policy for 2005, which acknowledged the following:
>
> Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is
> currently the most thoroughly researched treatment modality for early
> intervention approaches to autism spectrum disorders and is the standard
> of care recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, National
> Academy of Sciences Committee and the Association for Science in Autism
> Treatment, among others.
>
> Blue Cross' own documents further acknowledged that:
>
> The earlier the disorder is diagnosed,
> the sooner the child can be helped through treatment interventions.
>
> Mr. Mantese stated, "After we compelled Blue Cross through motion
> practice to produce all materials supporting its position that this care
> was allegedly experimental, we received numerous file documents which
> actually established that ABA therapy works and is highly effective in
> increasing the functioning of these children."
>
> Mr. Conway emphasized, "We are pleased that we were able to obtain a
> result which will require Blue Cross to pay for this important care and
> will alleviate some of the financial strain imposed on over a hundred
> families by having to pay for this care when it was covered under their
> insurance policies."
>
> Contact information for the families' attorneys follows:
>
> Gerard Mantese, Esq.
>
> Mantese and Rossman, P.C.
>
> 1361 E. Big Beaver Road
>
> Troy, Michigan 48083
>
> 248-457-9200 Office
>
> 248-515-6419 Cell
>
> John J. Conway, Esq.
>
> John J. Conway, P.C.
>
> 645 Griswold St, Ste 3600
>
> Detroit, MI 48226
>
> 313-961-6525 Office
>
> 313-574-2148 Cell
>

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Forced to Pay for Autism Care In Landmark
Case

Release issued by Mantese and Rossman, P.C., on June 19, 2009

Detroit, Michigan. The family of an autistic child filed a motion in
federal court today to confirm settlement of a class action against
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The family alleged in the suit
that the insurer wrongfully refused to cover behavioral therapy for
children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), on the baseless ground
that the care was "experimental."

Under the terms of the settlement reached at a court-ordered conference
on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, Blue Cross has agreed to reimburse all
families who paid for behavioral therapy for their children after May 1,
2003, and who were covered under a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
insurance policy. Blue Cross had earlier filed a motion seeking
dismissal of virtually the entire case on legal grounds, but the
Honorable Stephen J. Murphy III permitted the case to go forward and
scheduled the matter for further proceedings, including a settlement
conference before Magistrate Michael Hluchaniuk.

The settlement was reached in the case of Christopher Johns v. Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, 08-cv-12272, filed in Detroit. In the
suit, the plaintiff alleged that Blue Cross' pattern and practice of
characterizing the scientifically established Applied Behavioral Therapy
as "experimental," and thus as excluded under its insurance policies,
was arbitrary, capricious, illegal and contradicted by many years of
scientific validation.

Under the settlement, Blue Cross will pay for behavioral therapy
rendered to over 100 children in the last six years. Plaintiff's
counsel, Gerard Mantese and John J. Conway, were pleased with the
settlement. Mr. Mantese and Mr. Conway issued a joint statement
emphasizing: "No insurer should ever take this approach to needed care
for children. Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy is supported by
science and is not 'experimental.' Delays by insurers in authorizing
this treatment, when it is covered by insurance policies, should not be
tolerated. Research shows that children with autism spectrum disorder
need this therapy early on in life and delaying treatment can
irreversibly prevent them from achieving their full potential."

Mr. Mantese emphasized that the settlement includes even families who
never submitted a claim to Blue Cross, but who obtained this care for
their children and were covered by a Blue Cross policy. Mr. Conway
believes that this is the first such settlement addressing Applied
Behavioral Analysis (ABA) in the country.

ABA therapy is administered under the supervision of licensed
psychologists and other professionals. ABA applies one hundred year old
concepts of changing behavior through positive and negative
reinforcements. The federal suit in which this settlement was achieved
centered upon the ABA treatment provided by prestigious Beaumont
Hospital and its HOPE Center, including Dr. Ruth Anan and Dr. Lori
Warner.

The case settled shortly after Plaintiff's counsel obtained a court
order requiring Blue Cross to produce file documents which validated the
effectiveness of ABA therapy for treating children with autism spectrum
disorder. Among the documents in the Blue Cross files obtained by
Plaintiff's counsel was a draft of a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical
Policy for 2005, which acknowledged the following:

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is
currently the most thoroughly researched treatment modality for early
intervention approaches to autism spectrum disorders and is the standard
of care recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, National
Academy of Sciences Committee and the Association for Science in Autism
Treatment, among others.

Blue Cross' own documents further acknowledged that:

The earlier the disorder is diagnosed,
the sooner the child can be helped through treatment interventions.

Mr. Mantese stated, "After we compelled Blue Cross through motion
practice to produce all materials supporting its position that this care
was allegedly experimental, we received numerous file documents which
actually established that ABA therapy works and is highly effective in
increasing the functioning of these children."

Mr. Conway emphasized, "We are pleased that we were able to obtain a
result which will require Blue Cross to pay for this important care and
will alleviate some of the financial strain imposed on over a hundred
families by having to pay for this care when it was covered under their
insurance policies."

Contact information for the families' attorneys follows:

Gerard Mantese, Esq.

Mantese and Rossman, P.C.

1361 E. Big Beaver Road

Troy, Michigan 48083

248-457-9200 Office

248-515-6419 Cell

John J. Conway, Esq.

John J. Conway, P.C.

645 Griswold St, Ste 3600

Detroit, MI 48226

313-961-6525 Office

313-574-2148 Cell

PLEASE NOTE that the study found that about 1/3 got better on Celexa AND that
about 1/3 got better on PLACEBO (sugar pills) so the idea that some are floating
in the Autism Community that its worth trying are just not supported at all by
these findings.

Celexa is in the SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) category of drugs
with Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil and others.

Please note - we screen EVERY child evaluated at our clinic for sleep
disturbances because research indicates that 50%+- of children on the Spectrum
have an undiagnosed sleep disorder.

-RWM
___________________________________________
Study Finds Antidepressant Fails to Treat Autism in Children, Gives Them
Nightmares

Monday , June 01, 2009

AP

An antidepressant that is among the most popular kinds of medicine used for
treating autism didn't work for most kids and caused nightmares and other side
effects, new research found.

Results showed risks with Celexa outweighed any benefits in the largest
published study of medication versus dummy pills for autism. That's according to
the lead author, Dr. Bryan King, director of child and adolescent psychiatry at
Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington medical school.

The drug is not approved for treating autism. However, many doctors have
prescribed it, thinking it might help prevent repetitive behaviors such as
spinning, twirling and head-banging that are hallmark autism symptoms. Similar
antidepressants have been shown to help treat repetitive actions in people with
obsessive-compulsive disorder.

But in the autism study, Celexa worked no better than dummy pills. In fact,
compared with kids on placebo, those on Celexa were more than twice as likely to
develop repetitive behaviors, as well as other side effects including sleep
problems and hyperactivity.

Celexa is in a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors, or SSRIs, which are among the most widely used medicines given for
autism.

The new research could "change this practice," said prominent Yale University
autism researcher Dr. Fred Volkmar. He commented in an editorial released with
the study Monday in the June issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

The results echo a separate study reported in February that showed a low-dose
form of Prozac, another SSRI, also did not reduce repetitive behaviors in
autism.

The overall global market for drug treatment in autism is at least $2 billion
and SSRI antidepressants account for nearly 60 percent of that, the study
authors said.

Celexa's maker, Forest Laboratories Inc., issued a statement saying the company
"was not involved in this study and therefore cannot provide comment."

The National Institutes of Health paid for the research.

Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer of the advocacy group Autism Speaks,
said the new results underscore the difficulty in treating a condition with an
uncertain cause and symptoms that range from mild to severe.

"We are still so challenged to come up with medications that can address core
symptoms," she said, "largely because we still don't understand the biology of
autism."

The study involved 149 autistic children aged 5 to 17 who were randomly given
either up to 20 milligrams daily of Celexa for 12 weeks or dummy pills.

Doctors rated children's symptoms during treatment on a scale of 1 to 7, with
high scores reflecting worsening symptoms. The rating method allowed doctors to
evaluate improvements in repetitive actions and also other behaviors.

Only about one-third of children on Celexa showed substantial improvement; most
showed little or no improvement or got worse.

Celexa is among antidepressants labeled with a warning about the potential for
increasing risks for suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, but these
symptoms didn't occur in the study.

About one-third of children on dummy pills also improved. King said reasons for
that are uncertain. It could be they expected to get better with any kind of
pill â€" the well-known "placebo effect." Or it could just have been a
coincidence since autism symptoms tend to fluctuate over time.

That tendency might also explain why many kids on placebo also developed new or
worse symptoms, he said.

â€"â€"â€"

On the Net:

Archives: http://www.archgenpsychiatry.com

National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HS_HighHopesspecialneedTweensGwinnettWalton/

Hi, My name is MaryAnn, we live in Gwinnett C ounty in Loganville and I need
advice please. I am debating on weather I should homeschool my son who is 10
this year and going into 5th grade or to do the Autism program that the Gwinnett
School System has. He was just diagnosed with Aspergers in April, last month, I
pulled him out of school to homeschool him in March of this year cause he was so
very frustrated and the school, reg. Ed class couldnt help even with his very
extensive IEP. We were doing Time4Learning and it was great but he is so far
gone with school its crazy. We also were excepted into the GVA program.  HELP,
ANY AND ALL ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT!!!  Thanks,  MaryAnn

Thomas the Tank Engine helps autistic kids identify emotions

     * Story Highlights
     * Online game uses Thomas the Tank Engine to help autistic children
     * Children try to recognize which engine has happy, sad, angry face
     * Autistic children often have trouble distinguishing different facial
expressions
     * UK study: More autistic kids fascinated with "Thomas" than other fictional
characters

By Saeed Ahmed
CNN

(CNN) -- Thomas the Tank Engine, whose television adventures on the fictional
island of Sodor have delighted children around the world for years, is now on a
real-life mission to help kids with autism.

The steam locomotive and his friends are the stars of a new game in Australia,
designed to help autistic children recognize emotions.

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), a nonprofit that provides services to people
diagnosed with the developmental disorder, unveiled the game on its Web site
Tuesday.

The game asks players to recognize which engine has a sad face, or which is
happy or angry.

Children with autism often have a difficult time distinguishing different facial
expressions.

Each time a child plays the game, he/she is presented with a different sequence
of emotions. In doing so, the game takes advantage of the single-mindedness of
autistic children to assist in their development.

"It's a great way to help develop social and communication skills," said Anthony
Warren of Aspect.

A study conducted in the United Kingdom found that autistic children were far
more fascinated by the television series, "Thomas and Friends," than they were
with other fictional characters.

The study, by the National Autistic Society, summarized that the show held such
appeal because of the clear facial expressions of the characters, the pacing of
the program and the easy-to-follow story lines.

"We got those results down here, and we thought, how could we leverage that
strength and give a little back to the community?" said Tom Punch with Haven
Licensing, the company that handles licensing for the characters in Australia.

Warren said one of the reasons Thomas is particularly stimulating and motivating
for children with autism is that it's very predictable.

"Children can understand the clear visual messages -- the big smile on the front
of the engine," he said. "The messages it communicates are very concrete, not
abstract. And the emotions are primary emotions. It's uncomplicated."

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects physical, social and language
skills. It usually appears before age 3, though the earliest signs are subtle.

More doctors and researchers are referring to "autism" as "autisms," because
each child's case is different, as are the causes, helpful therapies and
potential treatments.

The Australian nonprofit unveiled the game this month to coincide with Autism
Awareness Month in that country.

After all, as the show's theme song attests: "Red and green and brown and blue;
They're the really useful crew."

Sensory Friendly Films:

DON'T MISS TOMORROW'S MOVIE!
Night at the Museum: "Battle of the Smithsonian"
SATURDAY, MAY 23rd - 10:00am

AMC Entertainment® and the Autism Society of America have teamed up to bring
families affected by autism a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films
in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. With Sensory Friendly
Films, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound
turned down, and the AMC "Silence is Golden" policy will not be enforced.

Three theaters in the Atlanta market have been selected to host "Sensory
Friendly Films".

AMC Discover Mills 18
5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Lawrenceville, GA  30043
678-847-9265

AMC Phipps Plaza 14
3500 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA  30326
404-231-1492

AMC Southlake 24
7065 Mount Zion Circle
Morrow, GA  30260
770-473-0719

For tickets to this unique experience,please visit the theater's box office the
day of the event.


Autism 101
Saturday ~ June 13th, 2009

"Autism 101" is a quarterly seminar and resource fair sponsored by the Autism
Society of America - Greater Georgia Chapter for families of newly diagnosed
children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The seminar provides information
that educates, enables and empowers these families as they begin the journey of
caring for, planning for, and treating their child. Additionally, there is a
resource fair for families to meet and interact with local providers of autism
related goods and services.

Location: Stonemill Church, 855 Northbrook Parkway, Suwanee, GA  30024

Please visit the ASA-GGC website at www.asaga.com for additional information or
to register.


Summer Camps & Programs

Please visit the ASA-GGC website at www.asaga.com for additional information or
summer camps and programs for your child.

If you're looking for summer activity for your Asperger/HF autistic spectrum
teenager, we're having an improv camp in Marietta! I am Grandmom to a 14-yr-old
boy (PDD-NOS), and I am starting an improv acting group for middle and high
schoolers who are high-functioning on the autistic spectrum.

We are offering two 5-day sessions:

June 1-5, from 10:00-3:00. Fee is $185.
June 8-12, from 10:00-3:00. Fee is $185.

You can sign up for either or both sessions.

Location is East Cobb/Marietta.

I've put together a great team to make this experience an exciting and fun one
for our Shenanigans actors. Our classes will be led by a local improv theater
owner/director who is experienced in teaching children, and we've prepared a
great program that will let our teens practice key social skills through improv
games, make friends, and - most of all - have fun!

Please contact me for more details and to register.

Sandy Bruce
770-354-5770
shenanigans.info@....

A colleague of mine at FAU is conducting a survey of parents that manage their
own home-based, early, intensive, behavioral intervention programs.  I hope that
you will consider participating.

Thanks,

-RWM

_________________________
Thousands of parents are managing home EIBI programs for their children with
ASD.  But relatively little is known about what happens in these programs and
how parents run them.  Part of the reason is the difficulty in studying this
group.  We have no one central organization and supports are provided by a large
and somewhat diverse array of professionals.  We are tackling this challenge.

The survey is a 61-question survey of parents who are conducting home-based,
early, intensive, behavioral intervention programs.  We will send paper versions
directly to some of the parent support agencies and ask them to forward the
survey to parents.  But our main effort is to bring the survey to the attention
of behavioral professionals who support parents in home programs.  We hope these
behavioral professionals will pass on the information to parents and encourage
them to review and complete the survey.  This is a survey of parents conducting
home programs not a survey to be completed by behavior analysts.
Taking the survey is, of course, completely voluntary.  This study has been
approved by the Institutional Review Board here at FAU (IRB # H09-117).  The
on-line survey appears at this web address:


                                            
http://iea.fau.edu/surveys/snap/eibi42009.htm
This effort is a continuation of studies begun in 2000 to examine home EIBI
programs.  We have reported findings at ABAI at four of the conferences and
shared the findings in other ways.  Parents or others who would like to obtain a
summary of the results (available after June 30, 2009) can request them by
sending an email at jscott@....  In addition to the internet version, we
have paper copies ready to be sent out to support agencies, parent groups and to
targeted providers of behavioral services.  The paper copies may be easier for
some parents to complete.  They can be requested at jscott@.... or at the
address below.  And for those supporting a number of parents, please indicate
the number of survey sets you would like.

Thanks with your help in sharing information about our efforts.


Jack

Dr. Jack Scott, BCBA
FAU 2009 EIBI Survey
Department of Exceptional Student Education
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
or by fax to (561) 297-2507

I have heard good things about Dr. Ho in Marietta.  I do not know his first
name but he is w/ Sandy Plains Pediatrics.

Good luck!

http://www.walknowforautism.org/georgia/georgebrown

-----Original Message-----
From: opengaautism@yahoogroups.com [mailto:opengaautism@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Baker, Kelley
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 3:00 PM
To: opengaautism@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [opengaautism] Re: Behavioral Psychiatrist needed

"Behavioral Psychiatrist" is the term that mom keeps using but I believe she
is meaning just a psychiatrist.  Medication is what they are trying to work
on but need someone to be the lead psychiatrist since the last one feels
"out of his element" in regards to her diagnosis.  I am really looking to
see if anyone has a name of a psychiatrist with experience with a child with
severe autism that does take insurance.  They are considering sending her to
a residential setting for a month to work on her meds but I really would
like to not have to go to that extreme.

Thanks for you help.

________________________________

From: opengaautism@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Robert W. Montgomery, Ph.D.,
BCBA
Sent: Tue 4/21/2009 1:43 PM
To: opengaautism@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [opengaautism] Re: Behavioral Psychiatrist needed





I am uncertain what is meant by "Behavioral Psychiatrist"? Psychiatrists are
MDs who prescribe medication as their principle treatment modality. I know
of none that I would call "Behavioral" in the sense that those of us who are
Behavior Analysts use the term.

--- In opengaautism@yahoogroups.com <mailto:opengaautism%40yahoogroups.com>
, "baker_kell" <bakerk1@...> wrote:
>
> I am working with a parent that has an 18 year old child with severe
Autism and who may also have bipolar who lives in Alpharetta, GA. Her
current psychiatrist does not have expertise when dealing with children with
Autism and is "out of his element" (his words). He has referred her to a
behavioral psychiatrist that does a wonderful job but does not take
insurance. Since he does not take insurance she is unable to continue seeing
him because of the cost. Does anyone have name of a psychiatrist or
behavioral psychiatrist that does take insurance around the Atlanta area
that has experience with working with children with severe Autism?
>
> I really appreciate any input.
>
> Thanks!
>

"Behavioral Psychiatrist" is the term that mom keeps using but I believe she is
meaning just a psychiatrist.  Medication is what they are trying to work on but
need someone to be the lead psychiatrist since the last one feels "out of his
element" in regards to her diagnosis.  I am really looking to see if anyone has
a name of a psychiatrist with experience with a child with severe autism that
does take insurance.  They are considering sending her to a residential setting
for a month to work on her meds but I really would like to not have to go to
that extreme.

Thanks for you help.

________________________________

From: opengaautism@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Robert W. Montgomery, Ph.D.,
BCBA
Sent: Tue 4/21/2009 1:43 PM
To: opengaautism@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [opengaautism] Re: Behavioral Psychiatrist needed





I am uncertain what is meant by "Behavioral Psychiatrist"? Psychiatrists are MDs
who prescribe medication as their principle treatment modality. I know of none
that I would call "Behavioral" in the sense that those of us who are Behavior
Analysts use the term.

--- In opengaautism@yahoogroups.com <mailto:opengaautism%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"baker_kell" <bakerk1@...> wrote:
>
> I am working with a parent that has an 18 year old child with severe Autism
and who may also have bipolar who lives in Alpharetta, GA. Her current
psychiatrist does not have expertise when dealing with children with Autism and
is "out of his element" (his words). He has referred her to a behavioral
psychiatrist that does a wonderful job but does not take insurance. Since he
does not take insurance she is unable to continue seeing him because of the
cost. Does anyone have name of a psychiatrist or behavioral psychiatrist that
does take insurance around the Atlanta area that has experience with working
with children with severe Autism?
>
> I really appreciate any input.
>
> Thanks!
>

I am uncertain what is meant by "Behavioral Psychiatrist"?  Psychiatrists are
MDs who prescribe medication as their principle treatment modality.  I know of
none that I would call "Behavioral" in the sense that those of us who are
Behavior Analysts use the term.

--- In opengaautism@yahoogroups.com, "baker_kell" <bakerk1@...> wrote:
>
> I am working with a parent that has an 18 year old child with severe Autism
and who may also have bipolar who lives in Alpharetta, GA.  Her current
psychiatrist does not have expertise when dealing with children with Autism and
is "out of his element" (his words).  He has referred her to a behavioral
psychiatrist that does a wonderful job but does not take insurance. Since he
does not take insurance she is unable to continue seeing him because of the
cost.  Does anyone have name of a psychiatrist or behavioral psychiatrist that
does take insurance around the Atlanta area that has experience with working
with children with severe Autism?
>
> I really appreciate any input.
>
> Thanks!
>

Attached please find an email that I just received this afternoone annoucing the
Autism Workshop that the Cobb County  School District is holding on April 25,
2009. An RSVP to Susan Poppineau at the below address would be helpful to the
people who are planning this event.
Susan.Poppineau@...
_________________________________________
Join us at the Cobb County School District Autism Workshop

Where: East Cobb Middle School - Theatre
		 380 Holt Road
		 Marietta, GA  30068

When:  Saturday, April 25, 2009
		 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Childcare will be available***

Topics Include:
		 Assistive Technology
		 Family/Sibling Support
		 Planning for the Future – Waivers
		 The NEW Graduation Rule

Each participant will have the opportunity to attend 2 of the 4
presentations listed above

Participants will also be asked for suggestions for future parent workshops

I am working with a parent that has an 18 year old child with severe Autism and
who may also have bipolar who lives in Alpharetta, GA.  Her current psychiatrist
does not have expertise when dealing with children with Autism and is "out of
his element" (his words).  He has referred her to a behavioral psychiatrist that
does a wonderful job but does not take insurance. Since he does not take
insurance she is unable to continue seeing him because of the cost.  Does anyone
have name of a psychiatrist or behavioral psychiatrist that does take insurance
around the Atlanta area that has experience with working with children with
severe Autism?

I really appreciate any input.

Thanks!

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the Autism Society of America - Greater
Georgia Chapter would like to recognize individuals throughout the state of
Georgia that are making a positive impact in the Autism Community.  Do you know
therapists, educators, doctors, friends, parents and others that have made a
difference in the life of someone with autism?  If so, please nominate them as a
HERO for Autism.  Each HERO will receive a certificate and a car magnet, and
will be recognized on the ASA-GGC website.

Nominations will be accepted until April 30, 2009.  Visit the ASA-GGC website at
www.asaga.com to nominate your heroes.

Please forward as appropriate.

AMC Entertainment® (AMC) and the Autism Society of America have teamed up to
bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity
to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly
basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program.  In order to provide a more
accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience,  the movie
auditoriums will have their lights brought up and sound turned down, families
will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no
previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie.  Additionally,
audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other
words, AMC's "Silence is Golden" policy will not be enforced unless the safety
of the audience is questioned.

Three theaters in the Atlanta market have been selected to host "Sensory
Friendly Films".

AMC Discover Mills 18
5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy
L'ville, GA  30043
678-847-9265

AMC Phipps Plaza 14
3500 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA  30326
404-231-1492

AMC Southlake 24
7065 Mount Zion Circle
Morrow, GA  30260
770-473-0719

For tickets to this unique experience,
please visit the theater's box office the day of the event.
Upcoming Features:
Hannah Montana: The Movie
This SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH - 10:00AM
and
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
SATURDAY, MAY 23RD - 10:00AM

www.asaga.com

Please forward as appropriate.

ACC: ECG Before Starting Stimulants for ADHD Called a Cost-Effective Screen
By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: March 31, 2009
Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine,
University of California, San Francisco

ORLANDO, March 31 -- A screening ECG before starting stimulant medications for
kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be a
cost-effective way of picking up unrecognized cardiac problems, researchers
said.

Screening of 1,470 children in the metropolitan Atlanta area identified cardiac
disease in 0.3%, all of whom were ultimately cleared to receive medication,
William T. Mahle, M.D., of Emory University in Atlanta, and colleagues found.

Their study -- presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting here --
found a low positive predictive value of 4.2%.

To screen enough children to identify one with complex congenital heart disease
or potentially life-threatening arrhythmia, the cost was $42,904, which Dr.
Mahle called cost-effective.

But these findings don't answer any of the questions that have made
pre-prescription cardiac screening so controversial, commented Timothy Gardner,
M.D., president of the American Heart Association.

In April 2008, the AHA called for, among other things, a baseline
electrocardiogram before children are given stimulant medications in order to
identify cardiovascular abnormalities such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,
long-QT syndrome, and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. (See: AHA Recommends ECG
Before Starting Stimulant Therapy for ADHD)

The rationale was to find kids at risk of serious heart arrhythmia since
stimulant drugs used to treat attention disorders affect the heart much like
exercise and could trigger events in vulnerable children.

However, the American Academy of Pediatrics challenged this guideline, saying
that the blanket requirement for screening in every child was overkill.

Some physicians even thought it was pointless because it wouldn't pick up any
heart disease, Dr. Mahle said.

In that sense the results of the current study were reassuring, he said.

His group reviewed all ADHD screening electrocardiograms sent for interpretation
at a single center from an outpatient cardiology practice, a hospital
laboratory, and community hospitals.

Among the 1,407 cases from April 21 through Sept. 21, 2008, which was the period
of highest screening uptake, 92% had a normal or class I abnormality on their
initial electrocardiogram.

The five children confirmed to have significant cardiovascular disease included
two with bicuspid aortic valve, one with secundum atrial septal defect, and two
with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

The total direct and indirect cost to screen a single child was $58; the cost to
identify one case of any form of heart disease was $17,162.

However, Dr. Mahle noted that cost-effectiveness depends upon the risk of
adverse cardiac events from stimulant medications, "which at present is not
clear."

Although screening was not useful from the standpoint of identifying any
children with cardiac problems that led to a child being prohibited from taking
a stimulant medication, it was still worthwhile in identifying cardiac problems
that needed follow-up or treatment, he said.

But the low predictive value suggested that additional strategies may be needed,
Dr. Gardner said.

Drs. Mahle and Gardner reported no conflicts of interest.

Primary source: American College of Cardiology
Source reference:
Mahle WT, et al "Electrocardiographic screening for cardiac disease among
children with attention deficit disorder" ACC 2009; Abstract 1026-230.

Related Article(s):

     * AHA Recommends ECG Before Starting Stimulant Therapy for ADHD

Dr. Timothy Callaghan (DAN-Defeat Autism Now physician)

will be speaking on April 15, 2009.

The doors open for parents and professionals at 5:00pm (there will be several
vendors.

The seminar is free but please register, as space is limited.

Call or email your name and number of guest at tdiabogpl4u@... or
859-866-9949

Location: Unity Christian School
2960 New Calhoun School
Rome, GA 30161

Introducing Shenanigans! Improv Acting Summer Day Camps for high-functioning
ASD/Asperger teens! No previous acting experience needed!

Shenanigans! is a new fast-paced improv group for teens on the autistic spectrum
who want to laugh and make new friends while practicing key social skills
through acting and improv games.

Shenanigans! provides a social and learning opportunity that encourages each
actor's unique abilities in an atmosphere of acceptance and humor.

These dynamic classes will focus on:
- Teamwork
- Reading non-verbal cues
- Understanding how others think and respond
- Learning how to talk with your friends and be cool

We also welcome and encourage a limited number of socially able teens to join
the fun.

When: Two camp sessions: June 1-5 and June 8-12, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Where: Piedmont Village shopping center (corner of Piedmont Rd and Canton Hwy
5), Suite 600, Marietta.

Cost per actor each session: $185. Class size is limited, so register early! (If
you wish the convenience of credit card, PayPal invoicing is available.)

For more info and to register, contact:

Sandy Bruce (grandmom to, and inspired by, 14-yr-old James, PDD-NOS)
(770) 354-5770
shenanigans.info@...

Hello all!

I am very excited to announce that there will be a FREE autism conference at the
Medical Center of Central Georgia on April 11th from 9AM-12PM in honor of autism
awareness month! Families, Educators, and Service Providers are invited to
attend this special presentation in honor of autism awareness month. This
presentation will summarize the latest and most accurate autism research, while
introducing an autism remediation program that is changing the lives of families
affected by ASD all over the world! It is time to up the ante in terms of autism
treatment in Georgia! Tell everyone you know and let's ban together to start
spreading the word and bringing Georgia up to date on autism treatment so that
we can give our kids the VERY best treatment available! I can't do it without
your help and support. Let's revolutionize autism treatment in Georgia like they
are doing in California and New York...I am tired of being behind the times, how
about you???

For more information, feel free to e-mail Jennifer Perry at rdi_autism@...
or you can call at 478-957-3411.

Jennifer Perry
Certified RDI Program Consultant
Happy Feet Child Development Center

We've received an update from Humana Military that runs TriCare's ECHO program
that recent action by Congress has increased the annual cap on the ECHO program
that covers ABA from $30,000/year to $36,000/year.  This is apparently
retroactive to October but please check with your case manager on this as we are
still trying to get specific information on how this impacts our families.

-RWM

Please make plans to join the Autism Society of America – Greater
Georgia Chapter at 10:30am this Thursday, April 2, 2009 at the Georgia
State Capitol (North Wing Stairs) as Governor Sonny Perdue signs a
Proclamation declaring April as Autism Awareness Month in Georgia. A
group picture will be taken with Governor Perdue following the signing
of the Proclamation. There is strength in numbers. Let's make a bold
statement that demonstrates the power of a unified autism community.
Children are welcome and encouraged. Please forward as appropriate.
www.asaga.com