Eastern Panhandle of WV Autism Group

Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, today applauded Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Hank Johnson (D-GA) for their introduction of a House companion bill to the Senate's Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA), which was introduced last month by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Like the Senate version, the House version of the ATAA (H.R. 2413) is comprehensive federal legislation that addresses several critical challenges facing the autism community, including increased funding for scientific research, treatment and services. The ATAA incorporates provisions from the Expanding the Promise of Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA), originally proposed by Representatives Doyle, Smith, Engel, and former-Representative Chip Pickering. 

As in the Senate's ATAA bill, a key section of the House bill requires all insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASDs), including coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy – a medically-necessary, evidence-based autism treatment. While the number of states that have enacted comprehensive autism insurance reform legislation has grown to ten, most state insurers are still allowed to specifically exclude coverage for these critical services, which can cost upward of $50,000 a year – well beyond the means of most families. 

The House version of the bill also addresses the unique needs of adults with ASDs, creating a demonstration project with one-year planning grants and multi-year implementation grants for the provision of service for adults with autism. In addition, it creates the Network for Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Services aimed at accelerating the dissemination and utilization of critical, new information, moving it from “bench to bedside” as quickly as possible.
 

     
Now Help US Get ATAA Passed!:

1.  CONTACT YOUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE!  Urge him/her to become a cosponsor of the ATAA bill, H.R. 2413. 

> Call your Representative's office and let him/her know that you support the ATAA bill, H.R. 2413, and you want your Representative to become a cosponsor today. 
> Send an email to your Representative!  Autism Votes has written part of the email message for you.  All you need to do is fill in the empty box with your story about your family's experience with autism and how the ATAA bill will help.

2.  STAY INFORMED ON THE ATAA BILL!  Sign up to receive Autism Votes email alerts and stay informed on the progress of the ATAA bill.
3.  FORWARD THIS TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY!  Get your friends and family involved in getting the ATAA bill passed.

For a complete summary description of both the House and Senate ATAA bills, visit our website at www.AutismVotes.org/ATAA.
Sincerely,

Elizabeth Emken
Vice President, Government Relations
Autism Speaks

Stacey Thomas - coordinator

contact me

Parenting Workhop

Do As I Say Not As I Do - Maintaining Composure During your Discipline

Given by: Melissa Casses, WV Birth to Three Develomental and Autism Specialist

June 8

6-8 p.m.

WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center (on the campus of City Hospital)

Parents, Educators, Providers and anyone interested in learning about constructive discipline please attend this FREE workshop to support our children in their development.

Please RSVP to autismsolutions@gmail.com

Upcoming meeting topics:

All of our regular meetings are held the last Thursday of the month. To stay up to date on current plans and events register with your email address at this site. For more information please email me. 

• MAY - No Meeting
• TBD

Remember: We have changed our childcare policy. We can no longer guarantee the availability of childcare providers. Children are always welcome with appropriate adult supervision. We are still searching for childcare options and hope to offer this service again in the future.

Eastern Panhandle Social Skills Group This group meets one evening per month at the First Baptist Church. The parents can meet as the kids interact. Contact Enver Mullen for more info. enverm@comcast.net