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The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)'s Spring 2010 newsletter, Science in Autism Treatment is now online and available for download at their website.
ASAT has a request that those who find these newsletters and other resources offered by ASAT of value, help spread the word to families and colleagues about ASAT, the resources offered, and the newsletter so that as many as possible know where to go to get good information on evidenced treatments and interventions for autism spectrum disorders.
To sign up for future issues of Science in Autism Treatment when they are issued,
Some of the contents in the Spring 2010 Science in Autism Treatment,
- "Facilitate This": Part I of a Two-Part Interview with Dr. James Todd
- Message from ASAT President, David Celiberti, Ph.D., BCBA-D
- Science in Autism Treatment (SIAT) Team
- ASAT Committee Members
- Clinical Corner: Discussing Concerns with Family Members
- Book Review on Blessed with Autism : A Parent’s Guide to Securing Financial Support for the Treatment of Children with Autism.
- AAP Position Statement on Vision Therapy
- ASAT Board of Directors
- Consumer Corner: "Resources for Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice"
- Parent Survey Opportunity
- Science Corner: "Interventions for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum and How Best to Evaluate their Effectiveness"
- Letter from the Co-Editor : Josh Pritchard, MS BCBA
- Research Review: "Multiple Effects of Joint Attention Intervention for Children with Autism"
- Research Review: "Joint Attention Training for Children with Autism using Behavior Modification Procedures"
- "Treatment Summary: Developmental Therapy"
- Announcement: ASAT on Facebook
Past posts
Friday, March 26, 2010
Reminder from the Association for Science in Autism Treatment to sign up for free Spring newsletter
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Evidence-based practice: Maine issues evidence-based report on autism interventions
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies has announced that the Spring 2010 issue of the Center's newsletter, The Current Repertoire, is available online.
About The Current Repertoire,
"The Current Repertoire is the newsletter of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. Published three times a year, The Current Repertoire features news about the Center, the science [of behavior analysis] and its members."
Current Issue - Spring 2010, Volume 26, Issue 2
In this issue:
- From the Executive Director
- President of Italian Republic gives AARBA support medal
- 15th Annual Behavioral Safety NOW Conference, October 12-14
- Dr. Roger McIntire, CCBS trustee & behavioral expert in parenting
- A Unified Principle ~ John Donahoe, Ph.D., CCBS advisor
- Welcome Steve Fortado, new business manager
- Introducing CCBS intern Jason Rubino
- News about Mary Burch & Thomas Zane
- CCBS Annual Meeting of the Trustees, November 12-14, Buckhead, Atlanta
- CCBS ABA Conference in Los Angeles a success!
- CCBS Happenings at ABAI 36th Annual Convention & Behavioral Events Calendar
Of additional note in the issue is, "A new beginning for behavior.org", which unveils the future updated version of the site.
The blurb states,
"Our new website is almost ready for release! We welcome you to take a look behind the scenes of our beta site and give us your feedback. Email Phil Chase [the CCBS Executive Director] at pnchase@gmail.com with your thoughts." Nice work Cambridge Center!
Past post:
Thursday, January 28, 2010
FYI: Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies Winter 2010 newsletter online
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
A news report indicates that North Carolina is poised to bring autism insurance bills for legislative consideration,
"On Tuesday [May 11, 2010], Joint Study Committee voted to move the bill from the study phase to the legislative approval process.
North Carolina now joins a growing list of states where autism insurance reform is underway. Nineteen states have enacted autism insurance reform since 2007 and with this action North Carolina becomes the eleventh additional state to introduce autism insurance reform legislation. The legislation now moves to House and Senate subcommittees for review and recommendation." The General Assembly website shows that the referenced bills which were postponed since August 7, 2009 , and are currently listed under conference committee study are,
House Bill 589 (= S375) (2009 Title): An act to require health benefit plans and the state health plan to cover hearing aids and replacement hearing aids; and to require the state health plan for teachers and state employees to provide coverage for autism treatment disorders. The most recent version of the legislation stated coverage for "behavioral therapy" including, but not limited to applied behavior analysis, classified under habilitative and rehabilitative care, with treatment including care provided or ordered by a licensed medical doctor or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be medically necessary. The service provider or competencies of the delivery of behavioral therapy or applied behavior analysis is not defined.
For further reading
Family Pushes For NC Autism Insurance Coverage
Bill In NC House, Senate Could Relieve Financial Burden
POSTED: 6:18 pm EDT May 12, 2010
UPDATED: 6:53 pm EDT May 12, 2010
Autism Insurance Bill Moves Forward In NC
Chelsi Zash WFMY News 2
Created: 5/11/2010 1:21:47 PM Updated: 5/11/2010 1:39:57 PM
Autism Society of North Carolina Blog
Autism Votes North Carolina
North Carolina General Assembly
Past post
Saturday, May 8, 2010
State Advocacy: North Carolina - Advocacy day planned for May 10, 2010 meeting of the Joint Study Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Safety
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
Update, 5/12/10, 6:20PM PDT - The Missouri Senate newsroom reports that the licensing provisions for Behavior Analysts have been retained in the final passed bill, "In addition, a state Behavior Analyst Advisory Board is established under the State Committee of Psychologists within the Division of Professional Registration. The new board is charged with establishing and overseeing licensure and registration requirements for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts who provide therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders." On Tuesday, May 11, 2010 a joint House-Senate conference committee of the Missouri Legislature drafted a Committee Substitute for the Senate Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill Nos. 1311 & 1341 .
On Wednesday, May 12, 2010 this Conference Committee Substitute was adopted and passed by both the House (144-16) and the Senate (27-6) of the Missouri Legislature.
News stories report that the coverage for autism spectrum disorders is $40,000/year for ABA up to age age 18, but the full and exact language of the Conference Committee Substitute, or whether any changes were made to the licensing conditions for Behavior Analysts is unavailable at this time. It is expected that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will sign the passed legislation.
For further reading
Legislature sends autism insurance bill to governor
By Virginia Young
Post-Dispatch Jefferson City Bureau
05.12.2010 1:12 pm
Autism insurance mandate passes Mo. Legislature
May 12, 2010
Insurancenews.net
General Assembly Endorses Autism Insurance Coverage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 12, 2010
Missouri Senate newsroom
Autism insurance mandate passes Mo. Legislature
By: The Associated Press | 12 May 2010 | 01:02 PM ET
Autism Votes Missouri
Past posts
Monday, May 10, 2010
State legislation: Missouri takes the autism insurance bills down to the wire as General Assembly eyes May 14, 2010 adjournment; both insurance bills now contain language for licensing of Behavior Analysts
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
Despite concerted last minute actions by interested stakeholders, the final version of the Minnesota HHS Omnibus bill determined by Conference Committee and passed in the Minnesota Legislature did not contain the insurance provisions for autism treatment which were contained in the House version. The Committee split on this inclusion, with all of the House members voting in favor of inclusion and those in the Senate opposed. While discussion of this Conference Committee version was allowed on the floors of the Legislature, amendment was not, so that the reported version was in essence the final version.
This legislation now goes to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. It is reported that he may veto it in its current form because of Medicaid changes; this would send it back to the Legislature, but re-inclusion of the insurance coverage even in that eventuality seems a distant possibility.
For further reading
Omnibus Healthcare Bill is Done — Autism Insurance Reform is Out
May 12th, 2010
Autism Law Center Blog
The Fate of the Autism Healthcare Protection Act
May 11th, 2010Autism Law Center Blog
Health and Human Services (HHS) Conference Committee Finishes Omnibus Bill
May 12, 2010
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities blog
Past post
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
State legislation: Legislative conference on Minnesota Health and Human Services (HHS) Omnibus bills to decide autism insurance coverage
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
**5:35 PM PDT, Tuesday 5/11/10 - Minnesota Northland Association for Behavior Analysis (MNABA) has posted on Facebook the latest update, which is that the Senators on the conference committee voted against adoption of the autism insurance language. There may still be time to weigh in, but the word is that deliberation is in the evening of 5/11Please see their action alert at Facebook for the specific information action to be taken. **
The Autism Advocacy Law Center blog is currently following closely the legislative conference on the House (HF2614) and Senate (S2337) versions of the Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill. That blog, and a perusal of the bills' comparative language indicates that the House version of the Omnibus Bill contains the language originally found in the House bill, HF 359, the Autism Healthcare Protection Act, and the Senate version does not.
**2:15 PM PDT, Tuesday 5/11/10 - The Autism Votes Facebook group has issued an action alert on the bills**
Comparison of House v. Senate language as of May 6, 2010
S2337 HF2614
Health and Human Services
Some clauses of interest,
Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Under, Miscellaneous
House Language h2614-3
94.22 Sec. 2. [62A.3094] COVERAGE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS. p.2,
94.31 (c) "Board-certified behavior analyst" means an individual certified by the Behavior 94.32 Analyst Certification Board as a board-certified behavior analyst. p.3,
96.3 (b) A health plan must provide coverage for the diagnosis, evaluation, assessment,
96.4 and medically necessary care of autism spectrum disorders that is evidence-based,
96.5 including but not limited to:
(...)
96.8 (2) applied behavior analysis and intensive early intervention services, including
96.9 service package models such as intensive early intervention behavior therapy services
96.10 and Lovaas therapy; p. 4,
97.13 (5) services must be provided by a mental health professional or, as appropriate, a
97.14 board-certified behavior analyst, a qualified mental health practitioner, or a qualified
97.15 mental health behavioral aide.
97.16 (e) Providers under this section must work with the commissioner in implementing
97.17 evidence-based practices and, specifically for children under age 21, the Minnesota
97.18 Evidence-Based Practice Database of research-informed practice elements and specific
97.19 constituent practices. page 5,
A mental health professional who uses the services of a qualified mental health
97.29 practitioner, board-certified behavior analyst, or qualified mental health behavioral aide for
97.30 the purpose of assisting in the provision of services to patients who have autism spectrum
97.31 disorder is responsible for functions performed by these service providers. The qualified
97.32 mental health professional must maintain clinical supervision of services they provide
97.33 and accept full responsibility for their actions. The services provided must be medically
97.34 necessary and identified in the child's individual treatment plan. Service providers must
97.35 document their activities in written progress notes that reflect implementation of the
97.36 individual treatment plan.
(...)
98.13 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2010, and applies to
98.14 coverage offered, issued, sold, renewed, or continued as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
98.15 section 60A.02, subdivision 2a, on or after that date. Please see full documents for full and specific language. Please also note, that this is legislative language in conference and is subject to change as a result of that process.
For further reading
Will Autism Insurance Reform Survive?
May 11th, 2010
Amy Dawson, Autism Advocacy Law Center blog
Autism Votes Facebook page
Bills in conference
Minnesota Legislation & Status
Autism Votes Minnesota
MN House of Representatives releases its Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill
April 26, 2010
Minnesota Consortium for citizens with Disabilities
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
Although Missouri was one of the first state legislatures to forward autism insurance legislation in this session, with the support of Governor Jay Nixon and the stated support of the Speaker of the Missouri House - as a Friday, May 14, 2010 adjournment for the General Assembly approaches it may come down to the wire whether one of the bills passes. One news story reported that the Senate President Pro Tem was optimistic that an autism insurance bills would pass before the week ends.
The bill with potentially the highest probability of passage is,
the Senate Committee Substitute for HB 1311 & 1341, which was listed on the House Calendar under the heading of
BILLS CARRYING REQUEST MESSAGES
SCS HCS HB 1311 & 1341, (request Senate recede/grant conference) -- Handler: Scharnhorst (093)
Title:AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER COVERAGE In lay terms, the House refuses to concur with the passed Senate version and requests that the Senate recede from that version or, failing to do so, to grant the House a conference. **As of 6:00PM PDT, May 10, 2010 the Senate refused to recede and a Conference has been granted.**
The related,
Senate bill, SS/SB 618 Requires health carriers to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders under certain conditions was passed on March 18, 2010 in the Senate and sent to the House where it received relatively little action until the end of April. At the current time, SS/SB 618 has been reported with a Do Pass with
House Committee Substitute, but is not showing on the House Calendar.
One of the clauses of the House Committee Substitute for SS/SB 618 was to change the reimbursement condition in the perfected Senate version from reimbursement for Board Certified Behavior Analysts to reimbursement for licensed practitioners and to include language specifying establishment of a Board and other relevant details.
At this point, both SS/S 618 and HB 1311& 1341 both have clauses for the,
Establishment of the Behavior Analyst Advisory Board under the State Committee of Psychologists within the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration to establish licensure and registration requirements for behavior analysts, assistance behavior analysts, and line therapists who provide applied behavior analysis therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders. The board shall consist of the following 7 members:
1) 3 licensed behavior analysts;
2) 1 licensed behavior analyst holding a doctoral degree;
3) 1 licensed assistant behavior analyst;
4) 1 professional member of the committee; and
5) 1 public member., and defines function, duties and conditions of licensing. As stated in the summary of the House Committee Substitute sumamary, "the licensing provisions are similar to those contained in the perfected version of HB 1311 and 1341 (2010)."
These clauses mirror the language of the now defunct SB 1030, which was a standalone licensing bill.
For more information
Missouri General Assembly
Missouri Association for Behavior Analysis/MOABA
Autism Votes - Missouri
Tax credits among battles in Legislature’s final week
BY TONY MESSENGER
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/10/2010
Past posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
State legislation: Missouri - Compromise requested on SS/SB 618 autism insurance bill; licensing highlighted as pivotal issue
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
On Friday, May 7, 2010 Autism Votes reported that the Vermont Senate concurred with the passed House version of,
S. 262 “An act relating to insurance coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment”, reverted to original title upon passage from AN ACT RELATING TO A STUDY OF COVERAGE OF APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS With this concurrence, S. 262 has passed the legislative hurdle and the next step is approval by Vermont Governor Jim Douglas .
S. 262 as introduced called for health insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders. The Senate on March 23, 2010 passed a modified version which excised the insurance clauses in favor of creating a study committee. On consideration in the Vermont House, the House Committee on on Health Care and Wellness restored language specifying insurance coverage for a covered age range of 18 months to 6 years of age or entry to first grade, whichever is earlier. This amended version would also extend coverage to state employees. With some additional amendment, this House version was approved by the Vermont House on Thursday, May 6, 2010.
Some language of interest relating to behavior analysis and behavior analysts (readers are advised to read entire text for full and definitive language),
Sec. 2. 8 V.S.A. § 4088i is added to read: § 4088i. COVERAGE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
(a) A health insurance plan shall provide coverage for the diagnosis and
treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including applied behavior analysis
supervised by a nationally board-certified behavior analyst, for children,
beginning at 18 months of age and continuing until the child reaches age six or
enters the first grade, whichever occurs first.
(...)
(d) As used in this section:
(1) “Applied behavior analysis” means the design, implementation, and
evaluation of environmental modifications using behavioral stimuli and
consequences to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior.
The term includes the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional
analysis of the relationship between environment and behavior.
(2) “Autism services provider” means any licensed or certified person
providing treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
(...)
(5) “Habilitative care” or “rehabilitative care” means professional
counseling, guidance, services, and treatment programs, including applied
behavior analysis and other behavioral health treatments, in which the covered
individual makes clear, measurable progress, as determined by an autism
services provider, toward attaining goals the provider has identified.
(6) “Health insurance plan” means Medicaid, the Vermont health access
plan, and any other public health care assistance program, any individual or
group health insurance policy, any hospital or medical service corporation or
health maintenance organization subscriber contract, or any other health
benefit plan offered, issued, or renewed for any person in this state by a health
insurer, as defined in 18 V.S.A. § 9402. The term does not include benefit
plans providing coverage for specific diseases or other limited benefit
coverage.
Sec. 3. APPLICABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE (a) Sec. 2 of this act shall take effect on July 1, 2011, and shall apply to all
health insurance plans on and after July 1, 2011, on such date as a health
insurer offers, issues, or renews the health insurance plan, but in no event later than July 1, 2012.
(b) This section and Secs. 1 and 4 of this act shall take effect upon passage.
Sec. 4. EVALUATION OF COVERAGE FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN; IDENTIFICATION OF SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES (a) The agencies of administration and of human services and the
department of education shall evaluate the feasibility and budget impacts of
requiring health insurance plans, including Medicaid and the Vermont health
access plan, to provide coverage of autism spectrum disorders, including
applied behavior analysis supervised by a nationally board-certified behavior analyst for children under the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The agencies and department shall also assess the
availability of providers of services across Vermont for individuals with autism
spectrum disorders. No later than January 15, 2011, the agencies and
department shall report their findings and recommendations regarding
expanding coverage of treatment for autism spectrum disorders to school-age
children and the availability of providers to the house committees on health
care and on appropriations and the senate committees on health and welfare
and on appropriations.
(...)
(d) If the report required by subsection (c) of this section or the findings of
the committees of jurisdiction indicate that sufficient funds will not be
available to offset the state’s share of expenditures related to the coverage
requirement established in Sec. 2 of this act in fiscal year 2012, it is the intent of the general assembly to consider whether to proceed with implementation of such coverage requirement.
For further reading
Autism Votes Vermont
pp. 2901-2905 Senate Calendar, Friday May 7, 2010
(Text of amended S. 262 considered by the Senate on May 7, 2010).
VT House Considers Bill Mandating Better Insurance Coverage for Autistic Children
Local Matters
By Andy Bromage [05.05.10]
Unfinished and disputed bills may stall Legislature's adjournment
Louis Porter and Peter Hirschfeld Vermont Press Bureau - Published: May 7, 2010
Report to the Legislature to Address Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
January 2008
Recommendation for specification of competencies of behavior analysis service providers referenced on page 23 , and insurance coverage referenced on pages 1,5,31, 32, 34 -34
Past blog post
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
State legislation Quicktake: Vermont autism insurance bill as amended passes state Senate, sent to the House
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
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