Staying on the Edge of Autism
In
2002 a group of key individuals, including state agency representatives and
parents of children with autism developed the Individuals with Autism and Their Families, Oklahoma Plan. This Plan outlines a process for developing
services for individuals with autism from the time of diagnosis through
adulthood. In October of 2003 the
Oklahoma Autism Network was founded as the administrative body overseeing
implementation of the Oklahoma Plan. At that time there were few people at the
table working to meet the needs of Oklahomans affected by autism.
Over
the past few years much has changed. The
prevalence of autism has increased significantly and with the increased
prevalence we have seen increasing attention to autism at both a state and
national level. Millions of dollars
have been put towards research and into better understanding the causes of
autism and the interventions that are most effective in treating autism. With these changes more people are coming to
the table to expand the quality and array of services available in our state to
support children with autism and their families.
Autism
knows no social, racial, or economic boundaries and as a result affects
families from all walks of life.
Therefore the solutions to meet the needs of those affected by this
complex disability are greater than any one group or organization. It will
require putting multiple pieces together, including increased access to
services through private insurance coverage and building upon the existing
infrastructure and publicly funded programs to meet the needs of the growing
number of individuals affected in our state.
The Oklahoma Autism Network is committed to improving services available
from the time of diagnosis through adulthood.
This will require everyone including Democrats and Republicans, public
and private organizations, and parents and professionals coming together to
develop the most effective and efficient means of meeting the needs. The children of our future and their families
deserve nothing less.
|
Autism Related Legislation Update
by Dee Blose
Several
bills for Nick's Law will be introduced in both the Oklahoma Senate and
Oklahoma House of Representatives. Three
Senate bills, as well as two House bills, all contain similar language that
would require private insurance carriers to cover services, including
behavioral therapies to children with autism.
Senator Jay Paul Gumm, Senator Patrick Anderson, Senator Mary Easley and
Representatives Mike Brown and Wallace Collins, continue to be strong advocates
of the autism insurance equity legislation.
Introducing
the bills are one thing, getting them into and through a committee so that they
can be heard on the floor is quite another.
New rules in the Senate that require fiscal impact studies to be completed
before bills will be heard, as well as concerns in the House that insurance
mandates increase the number of uninsured, will continue to be stumbling blocks
for the legislation. Read more...
|
Spectrum Perspectives
By Shawna Mums
What
do you say when "I'm sorry" just isn't enough?
It
is common knowledge that nearly everyone has a Wal-Mart story. Sometimes we
tell tales of the people, events or even odd things witnessed at the local
Wal-Mart; however, on some occasions that joyous event actually involves you. I
too have my share of Wal-Mart stories, some of which I am able to look back on
and laugh and others I tend to deny ever happened. One such unfortunate
occurrence is where our story begins today. Once upon a time in a Wal-Mart,
that I wish was far far away from my house I went shopping with my daughters
Ashlee and Jaymee. As we traveled up and down the aisles selecting groceries
for home, Jaymee was entertaining herself by flapping her hands in all
directions. As we were nearing the milk, we came upon a sweet older lady using
an oxygen tank which was placed in her motorized wheelchair. She smiled at us
through the tubes in her nose and said "hello". Out of the corner of my eye I
saw Jaymee's movement stop as she stood still, turned her head to the side, and
began to stare intently at the woman. All of a sudden Jaymee dashed toward the
wheelchair and swiftly yanked the hose from the woman's face. I don't know if
Ashlee and I have ever moved so fast but still we were too late, the damage was
done. By the time we got to Jaymee she had her hands on the oxygen tank and was
attempting to remove it from the chair. As I continually said, "I am so very
sorry" to the lady who now had a look of horror on her face, we left our cart
full of groceries and made a speedy exit toward the door. I could have said
"I'm sorry" a thousand times more but it wouldn't have been enough.
Shawna is the parent of a
child with autism, Jaymee, and psychology graduate student at Oklahoma State
University. More Spectrum Perspectives can be read on our website.
|
News From Oklahoma Parent Groups
News from ASOCO: Autism
Society of Central Oklahoma
Preparations are beginning
for the first annual "Bounce for Autism!" The Bounce will take
place on April 25, 2009. This is a national initiative/partnership
between the Autism Society of America and Pump It Ups across the country!
The Bounce is very similar to a walk..........you form teams and raise
money, but instead of walking, you go to Pump It Up and bounce!!! What a
great way to raise money for a great cause! Read more....
Tulsa Autism Foundation Expands, Changes Name to Autism Center
of Tulsa, Inc. The Tulsa Autism
Foundation, Inc., founded in 2005 by two parents of children on the autism
spectrum, is changing its name effective January 1, 2009 to the Autism Center
of Tulsa, Inc. The new name reflects the growth and expansion of the
organization, which started with funding from several Tulsa area donors. The Autism Center of Tulsa (ACT), will
continue the many programs offered by the Tulsa Autism Foundation and will
introduce new offerings in 2009. These programs provide resources, referrals
and support for individuals and families affected by autism and related
neurological disorders. Read more....
|
Featuring Madison
This
month, our featured story is about a teenager named Madison.
Madison lives in Edmond and does not have autism. In fact, Madison is a typically developing,
intelligent, athletic teenager who just happens to have a big heart. Eight years ago, Madison was in a public school pre-K
program. One of her classmates, Hannah,
had autism and was non-verbal. Hannah
didn't have any friends. In a class of
twenty children, Madison
was one of only three children who would play with Hannah. Over time, Madison and Hannah became
friends. Madison is one of the reasons that Hannah,
now in middle school, has the ability to interact with her typical peers and
has friends. Madison accepted Hannah for who she was and
allowed her to experience friendship.
Read more....
|
|
|
|
Message
OAN TIP OF THE MONTH
A
study by the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute has found that the increase in autism
in California
is due to more than changes in how the diagnosis is made or counted. The study indicates that as many research
dollars should be spent on better understanding the environmental factors that
contribute to autism as is spent on understanding the genetics of autism. Read more....
|
|
New Parent Group
Did you know that there is a new parent support group in Stillwater?
This support group is for
families of children that have Autism spectrum disorders in Stillwater and
surrounding areas.
MEETING DAY AND TIME:
Third Tuesday of each month
6:30pm-8:00pm
MEETING FREQUENCY:
Monthly
MEETING LOCATION:
Stillwater Medical
Center
Honska Conference
Center
1323 W 6th Street
Stillwater, OK
74074
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Childcare is provided.
Please use the east entrance.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Shawna (405) 824-3408 or someoneilovehasautism@yahoo.com
|
|
