Autism-Advocacy.org
Advocating for Individuals with Autism
and their Families while Educating Communities
Please Join Us
for the
Annual
Autism Advocacy
Organization Event April 9th,
2009
5-8:00 pm,
Montandon, PA
Contact Me at:
scolon@ptd.net
2009 Event Flyer
Directions to the Event
Previous Events
This Year's
Guest Speakers:
Susan Colon,
Autism Advocacy Organization
Founder, Parent & Educator will present
‘Practical Strategies an Overview’ on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Susan is the founder and CEO of Autism Advocacy Organization.
Rep. Dennis
O’Brien, Former Speaker of the
House & Autism Advocate, has worked successfully at improving services
and opportunities for individuals with Autism. He will speak on his
work and on his introduction of HB1150 passed into law as Act 62 and how
this will help individuals & families. (Read more about Dennis O'Brien
in section below on Act 62.)
Chuck Ardo,
Press Secretary, for Governor Rendell. Chuck will speak of his work
in the political field and about his personal experience as a Father of a child diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum
at a later age who is now an adult.
Christa Brophy,
OT of Kidswork Therapy Center,
will present ‘Handwriting Without Tears.’
Christa has in worked in Occupational Therapy for 15 years in a variety
of settings, and in a variety
of capacities.
Thank you to everyone who loves and supports others who may have
differences, knowing that being different is not a negative thing, but
rather something that makes them unique and very special. I am
blessed to have been bringing this event to you all for more than five
years now and I look forward to many more years. -Susan Colón
How this
journey began....
....love never ends
How it all began...
Autism Advocacay
Organization
began as an idea and
the
motivation
which continues
to
drive it today has
never
lost sight
of the mission
and looks to the future
with tremendous
Hope and Success.
Why was House Bill 1150 introduced by Speaker Dennis O’Brien?
This legislation was introduced to mitigate the heavy burden caused by health insurance companies’ discrimination against individuals with autism. While its language has been revised several times, and while other matters were added to the bill before it became law as Act 62, the essence of the autism insurance reform legislation remains intact.
What does Act 62 do?
In regards to autism insurance reform, Act 62 does three main things:
1. it requires private health insurance companies to begin covering the costs of diagnostic assessments for autism and of services for individuals with autism who are under the age of 21;
2. it requires the PA Department of Public Welfare to cover those costs for individuals who have no insurance coverage, or for individuals whose costs exceed $36,000 that year; and
3. it requires the PA Department of State to license professional behavior specialists and to establish minimum licensure qualifications for them.
What coverage is mandated by the law?
Act 62 requires coverage for diagnostic assessments, pharmacy care, psychiatric care, psychological care, rehabilitative care, and therapeutic care. These categories of mandated services are defined in the law.
Read More About Dennis O'Brien and his work in Autism
Thank you to Governor Ed Rendell for his
continued support to improve services for
individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Governor Ed Rendell, Susan Colόn and her
sons.
The children fondly refer to the Governor as
'The President of Pennsylvania'
|
Resources for Families |
PA Bureau of Autism Services
Office of Dispute Resolution
Disability Rights Network
of Pennsylvania
Dept. of Public Welfare
717-787-2600
Dept. of Public Welfare
Know the:
The Red
Flags
Of Autism Related Disorders
The Autism Series
on
WKOK Roundtable:
The series continues....
focus on topics related to Autism.
Visual Senses & Autism -
Archive CDs available:
contact Mark at
WKOK for a copy
What is Autism?
Red
Flags & Where to get help.
Sensory Integration
What it is and how to treat it.
Holiday Considerations Suggestions for Parents and
Families
Speech & Language
How Autism effects
speech & language.
Autism Awareness- CSIU for their continued support of the Annual Autism Event and their work in improving the education of others working in the field everyday, with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Autism Education -Dr. Vikas Passi, Family Practice Center for his support in educating parents and others by providing Autism trainings.
Autism
Acceptance- Master's Abers & Fletcher, Sil Lum
Chuan Fa Kung Fu, Milton and Sunbury YMCA for their acceptance of
working with children of all abilities using compassion and
understanding.
We thank those awarded this year and all of those who continue to
support Autism Awareness, Education and Promote Awareness - Thank You.
Purchase a puzzle piece to support Autism Advocacy
Puzzle Pieces will be on exhibit the evening of the event.
Puzzle pieces are available for $1 each
Contact Me at:
scolon@ptd.net
Coming Soon
A book offering
practical strategies and a
different perspective on
understanding children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders for
who they are and seeing
difference as a positive instead
of a negative.
"I believe
in You"
from Autism Digest Magazine
The time to help
all children with
Autism related disorders
is now.
The time for
educating
yourself is now.
The time to help families is now. Please join us and show your support to
individuals and families
touched by autism.
|
|
Inspirations
Stories from Parents on the journey
that will inspire you.
What is ABA?
What is an IEP?
What is Sensory Integration?
For Physicians
On a national average, pediatricians and physicians are failing to refer children for free and confidential assessments, this must change...
(more information for Physicians)
For Educators
As educators and school districts seek to understand and meet the needs of students they need the assistance of professionals trained in the field of autism and valuable information and resources. These children are individuals and their IEPs must reflect their needs....
(More information for Educators)