The Interactive Autism Network (IAN), a project of the Kennedy Krieger Institute sponsored by Autism Speaks, has released the February 2008 research report.  Parents of children with autism were asked to join the project and voluntarily supply information about their entire family.  As time passes numbers are crunched and research reports are released.  The February 2008 report focused on autism treatments.  Parents were asked how many different treatments their children were receiving at a given time.  The results from the survey were astounding.  Some children were only receiving one type of intervention while another parent reported that her child was receiving 56 different treatments…at the same time.  The numbers seemed to peak at five simultaneous treatments.

The top five treatments were speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA), social skills groups, and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).  The survey then broke down the treatments into types of treatment with prescription medications being the most popular.  The report goes on to discuss the lengths that parents have gone through in order to receive adequate services with 5% reporting a move to a new state and 18% either had one parent quit a job or reduce hours in order to meet the child’s therapy schedules.   

Read the entire report at Ian Research Report #5 - February 2008.

Parents and professionals working with children and adults on the autism spectrum are looking for a mandate requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders.  With recent news of success in Arizona, Arizona Autism Insurance Bill Passes First Hurdle, the grassroots effort in Florida may find much-needed media recognition for their efforts.

Laura O’Sullivan has recently opened an autism treatment center, Children’s Autism Treatment Specialists, where she provides clients with ABA therapy.  Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an industry-standard therapy to help treat symptoms associated with the autism spectrum.  However, the services are pricey and currently ony individuals with adequate private income or those on Medicaid are able to receive these highly-studied interventions.  According to an article in the News-Press’ online edition:

Most insurance companies, according to O’Sullivan and autism advocacy groups, won’t cover therapies related to autism, a developmental delay that, by one estimate, strikes one in 150 children.

Source:  The News-Press

Autism Conference Presents Latest Treatments, Strategies for Changing Behavior at Home, School

Atlanta, GA ( PRWEB ) February 6, 2008 — Autism may affect as many as 1 in 150 children. This complex disorder is marked by impairments in communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most scientifically backed methods available for the treatment of autism. Leading ABA researchers will be gathering this week to present the latest developments in the application of this life-changing science.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), along with its Autism and Parent Professional Partnership Special Interest Groups, will be hosting its Second Annual Autism Conference from Friday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 10 in Atlanta.

This year’s conference, “Issues and Recent Advancements in the Behavioral Treatment of Autism: Practical Strategies for Changing Behavior at Home and School,” will focus on home- and community-based interventions as well as curriculum and instruction in the classroom.

The three-day conference will bring together 10 distinguished experts on ABA presenting resources and information that teachers, therapists and parents can use to improve the lives of children with autism. Some of the presentation topics include:

“Teaching the Social Dance” — strategies to teach young people with autism the verbal and non-verbal components to conversation

“One Size Does Not Fit All” — ways to tailor treatments to individual needs to promise the best treatment outcome

“From DT to DI: Using Direct Instruction to Teach Students with ASD” — how Direct Instruction (DI) can address the unique needs of learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) while supporting the acquisition of academic skills

This year’s Autism Conference will be held at Atlanta’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. New additions include exhibitor booths, a bookstore and author book signing by the 10 presenters.

For more information visit the Association for Behavior Analysis International website or call (269) 492-4310. On-site registration is available at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Hyatt Regency, Exhibit Level in Grand Hall West. Credentialed members of the news media may attend free of charge with prior authorization.

About ABA International
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is a nonprofit professional membership organization with the mission of developing, enhancing and supporting the growth and vitality of behavior analysis through research, education and practice. Founded in 1974, the association has approximately 5,000 members worldwide. Its affiliated chapters have a total membership of 12,000 worldwide.

Complete Presentation List:

Teaching the Social Dance: Helping Children with Autism Engage in Social Interaction and Conversation
Patricia Krantz, Ph.D.
Executive Director Emeritus, Princeton Child Development Institute

“Evidence-Based Practice”: Improvement or Illusion?
Gina Green, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, San Diego State University

One Size Does Not Fit All: Individualizing Treatment Programs for Children with Autism
Laura Schreibman, Ph.D.
Professor, University of California, San Diego

Effective School-Based Program for Children with Autism
Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, University of Washington

Because Our Kids Are Worth It: A Parent’s Perspective on Behavioral Interventions at Home and School
Mary Elizabeth Walsh, Ph.D.
Professor, Caldwell College

Using ABA to Improve the Lives of Adults with Autism in Work, Community and Residential Settings
Gregory MacDuff, Ph.D.
Director of Adult and Community-Living Programs, Princeton Child Development Institute

What’s My Motivation?: Encouraging Children with Autism to Develop Active Learner Participation
James W. Partington, Ph.D., BCBA
Director, Behavior Analysts, Inc.

Picking the Right ABA Program for Your Loved One: Matching Learner Needs with Instructional Strategies
Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor/Director of Research and Training, Rutgers University

One-on-One Programming: Using Direct Instruction to Teach Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Cathy L. Watkins, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, California State University, Stanislaus

A Clear Picture: Using Images to Get What You Want
Andrew S. Bondy, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.

Source:  PRWeb