Autism Oregon

An interesting 8 minute audio story on autism and advocacy, supports, and college.

http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/finding-services-adults-autism/

In the audio program above the ASPIRE program is mentioned. Through Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, ASPIRE offers classes, internships, mentoring, and other services:

Free Emotion Cards

Download 8 FREE emotion cards to use in your Autism Education program today by only giving us your name, email, and how you will use the cards. These include 2 happy, 2 sad, sad and selfish, happy and sharing, sleepy, and happy.

The newest addition to the popular Language Builder Series!! This 80-Card set helps students identify and discuss feelings and emotions. The set features a range of actors from 1 to 70 years old, and from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Researchers Megan MacDonald and Catherine Lord have found that kids between ages 1 and 3 can be a whole year behind in fine motor skills (grasping, picking things up, holding a crayon). You can add this to the "duh" file including “Children with autism tend to have gut problems!” and “Children with autism tend to have problems writing!”

Another call to action for autism insurance coverage in Oregon from Paul Terdal:

Contents:
• Update on SB365 – Insurers want a subsidy; threaten to sue Oregon if it enforces existing law
• ACTION #1: Call Governor Kitzhaber
• ACTION #2: Send an E-mail to Governor Kitzhaber
• ACTION #3: Send an E-mail the Ways and Means committee

From Paul:

SB365 Hearing – Wednesday, 6/12/2013

OPB's news article covers parents that are still struggling to get insurance coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) despite two state laws that require the coverage.

http://www.opb.org/news/series/vitalsigns/parents-fight-to-get-new-autis...

The Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders (OCASD) has released an update on grants that will be given to organization that can provide basic autism training, employment counselors, assessments, transition training, and alternative pathways.

OREGON COMMISSION ON AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
Commission Update Vol. 1 2013

What is the Commission Update?