KindTree Productions - AUTISM HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM LEGISLATION

ACTION ALERT!

AUTISM HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM LEGISLATION IS MOVING FORWARD IN 2012!

Securing legislation that covers autism treatments to help people on the autism spectrum live more productive & functional lives, is a major goal of ASO.

The proposed bill (currently known as LC86) has a sponsor, Sen. Mark Hass, and there will be an initial review by the Senate Health Committee on January 18th. We need to have emails in support sent to our state legislators before this hearing! Please e-mail your legislators TODAY in support of LC86, and urge your friends & family to contact theirs also.

How can you help? NOW is the time to start sending e-mails to our state legislators in support of LC 86. Your State Senator and State Representative need to hear from their constituents across the state before the hearing on Jan 18th. Please e-mail your legislators TODAY in support of LC86, and urge your friends & family to contact theirs also. Contact from constituents carries a lot of weight.

Who are my State Senator and Representative? Go here to find contact information for your Legislators. Enter your address, then scroll down to "State" listings. (If your state senator is Mark Hass, our chief sponsor, please send him a "thank you" by e-mail.)

What should I put in my e-mail? The most important things are:

Your contact information: Name, Address, Phone, E-mail
Subject: "In Support of Autism Health Insurance Reform"
State: "I am a constituent" and "I support Autism Health Insurance Reform"
Ask: for their support and to co-sponsor the draft bill (LC86)

You can include anything else you'd like about the reasons for your support, including your personal story.
Always be polite and positive.

Click here for more Helpful Hints on communicating effectively with your legislator.

Any questions? Please contact ASO at info@oregonautism.com.

KEY FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION:

NO age limit on coverage for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders;
NO annual dollar caps or visit limits so long as the treatment is medically necessary;
Treatments covered include:
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other developmental approaches;
- Speech Language, Occupational and Physical therapies;
- Pharmacy, Psychiatric and Psychological care;
- Augmentative communication devices (AACs) and other assistive technology; and
- Any other medically necessary medical services

Please e-mail your legislators TODAY in support of LC86, and urge your Friends & Family to contact theirs also. THANK YOU!

JOIN ASO IN EUGENE on FRIDAY, JAN 20 FOR

AN INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION WITH ADULTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

Please join us for an evening with a diverse panel of three adults on the Autism Spectrum: Jonathan Chase, Amber Perry and Mary-Minn Sirag. They will talk about who they are, discuss topics of personal interest and answer audience questions. The goal is to promote positive awareness and to connect with community members.

DATE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012

TIME: Doors Open at 6pm; Panel & Discussion until 8:30 pm.

PLACE: The Hilyard Center, 2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene

COST: A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated

Adults on the Autism Spectrum, people who think they may be on the Autism Spectrum, parents and service providers are all encouraged to attend.

***On Tuesday, January 17, at 9:00 am: Amber Perry & Jonathan Chase will be interviewed about this Panel Discussion on THE JEFFERSON EXCHANGE on Jefferson Public Radio in Ashland, OR. Click here to find out how to listen live from your computer, or to access the recording after broadcast.***

ALSO IN EUGENE - FREE INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH ASD!

Tiffany Kodak, a faculty member at the University of Orego, is offering FREE services to children diagnosed with ASD in the Eugene area. You may receive these free services whether you are already receiving services through another agency or not. For more information, contact Tiffany Kodak at tkodak@uoregon.edu.

Autism Night at OMSI for BODY WORLDS & The Brain

Thursday, January 26, 6-9 p.m.

Autism Night is a unique opportunity for the local Autism community to interpret BODY WORLDS & The Brain together. Meet researchers, doctors, and experts in the Autism field including representatives from Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU), the Northwest Autism Foundation (NWAF), and The Autism Society of Oregon (ASO).

Evening ticket prices apply: $19 adults; $14 youth 3-13; $17 seniors (63+) & students (14+ w/ ID)

The Autism Society of Oregon (ASO) and Portland Asperger's Network (PAN) are collaborating to provide a limited number of FREE tickets for teens and adults on the autism spectrum. For more information, please contact ASO by email at: info@oregonautism.com or by phone at: 503-636-1676.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Family Social Time

Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012

Time: 1 to 3pm

Place: ARRO Westside Center, 2360 SW 170th, Beaverton, OR 97006.

Co-sponsored by ASO, ARRO and PAN. This is an ongoing monthly activity for families who want to connect with others and give their children, ages 10 and up, an opportunity for social interaction. Experienced facilitator will be present. Bring a favorite game you'd like to share with others, or just come and mingle with friends. (Families with younger children are welcome, but the activities available may not suit their interest.) Please RSVP to Wendy at wendystec@gmail.com. Cost: $5 suggested donation and please bring a munchie to share.

r.is.e Center/OrPTI present: IEP/Section 504 Partner Training Program

Date: Jan 24-25, 2012

Time: 9am-4pm (both days)

Place: NW Regional ESD, Washington West & East Rooms 502 & 503, 5825 NE Ray Circle, Hillsboro OR 97124-6436

This intensive 2-day training is for people who want to become learn more about the Special Education process and support parents at their IEP meetings as volunteers (stipends paid) on behalf of the Oregon Parent Training & Information Center (OrPTI). Once trained, IEP/504 Partners are matched with parents in their area requesting support at their IEP meeting. For more information, call Leah Skipworth at: 1-888-505-2673, Ext. 207 or email Leah at: lskipworth@oregonrisecenter.org. Cost: $25 for parents; $50 for professionals.

The 2^nd annual Children’s Mental Health Conference:"Bullying. What We Can Do!"

Date: Saturday, February 4, 2012

Place: Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel, 1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, OR 97232

Conference subjects will include the psychological nature and motivations of bullies and victims, laws on bullying and bullying in schools, and practical information for reducing and preventing bullying behavior, including cyber-bullying.

Click here to register.

For more information, please contact: Wayland Ellison, wayland.ellison@oraap.org. Cost: varies.

Parent to Parent Mentor Training - FREE!

Date: Saturday, February 18, 2011

Time: 9:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m. (Lunch provided)

Place: East Rose Unitarian Church, 1133 NE 181st Street, Portland

Parent to Parent of Oregon offers high quality, statewide parent to parent connections for families who have children with long-term health, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions. Our vision is that all Oregon families will have access to trained Parent Mentors who can provide an ear to listen, a heart to care, and experience to share. Parent to Parent mentors are parents or primary caregivers of children or adults with chronic health, behavioral, emotional, physical or intellectual challenges. Pre-registration is required. For more information, please call 503 706-0744 or email p2poregon@gmail.com to register. Cost: Free, with donations gratefully accepted.