Have you checked out the ABA International® Facebook page?

Another helpful resource for Association for Behavior Analysis International® (ABAI) members to keep in touch with each other and ABAI events is the ABAI Facebook page,

There are 1001 Facebook group members, and this is your invitation to check it out and join if you haven't already done so.

© 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.

Useful ref: Resources for keeping up with autism-related legislation and insurance implementation

There are several online resources that may be helpful to those interested in tracking autism-related legislation and implementation, and associated state conditions,

For all Federal legislation and public law, searches can be conducted by keyword or resolution number using Thomas.gov, the search engine of the Library of Congress.

In the last few days, Autism Votes, with the help of students from George Washington University Law School and the PA Department of Public Welfare for the PA FAQ, has inaugurated an FAQ webpage with information on implementation of statute in the 15 states with autism insurance reform law.

The states currently itemized in this FAQ are

• Arizona,
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Louisiana
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Wisconsin

Other Autism Votes resources already pointed out in this blog are the Autism Votes Facebook and Twitter pages

For helpful reference on state background on autism counts and services is the
State profile page at Easter Seals, which provides information on

• Demographics, 
• State Task Forces & reports, 
• State Insurance Coverage, 
• Other State Activity, 
• Education Programs and Activities

The information is current to 2009 (with availability of 2008 data), but these State Autism Profiles provide a helpful quick snapshot of what the situation is in a state.

A dynamic searchable database is the NCSL Autism Legislation Database. The database is searchable by all states, District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories, and by year under the categories of,

• Awareness
• Education
• Financing
• Health and Human Services
• Infrastructure
• Insurance
• Miscellaneous
• Professional Training
• Screening
• Task Force

A personal recommendation is that search results of interest should be cross-checked and verified against legislative websites, since the information is dependent on when the database is updated and may lag real events by a few days. Nonetheless, the NCSL database is of valuable service in giving a rapid snapshot of autism-related legislation and extends beyond questions of insurance.
(A note of appreciation and thanks to Kimberly Derk, MA, BCBA for highlighting this useful resource.)

© 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.

FYI : "IEP Checklist App" for the iPhone/iPod Touch

Note: While this is a heads-up on what may be an interesting or useful new application reported in the news, posting does not constitute recommendation, endorsement, warranty or statement of suitability. Interested readers are directed to check the information out first-hand and determine suitability of the application for their particular use.

On February 12, 2010 Disability Scoop reported on a new free-of-charge iPhone app for special education developed for the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) by Nurvee. The stated purpose of the app is to be an "on-the-spot intelligent assistance" tool for families, students, and teachers in the development of student Individual Education Programs (IEPs).

A how-to example 2:10

The IEP Checklist is available at the PEATC website or at the iTunes Store.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

IEP Checklist App
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center

‘IEP Checklist’ iPhone App Aims To Level Playing Field
By Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop
February 12, 2010

© 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.