** Update 1/27/10 4:17PM PST - An article by Jennifer Smith-Currier discusses a meeting of advocates with Kansas legislators on behalf of supporting SB12/HB 2367/Kate's Law. The story also notes that the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Kansas Chapter AAP) has sent a letter to the legislature supporting Kate's Law.
Autism Insurance Coverage for Kansas FamiliesPosted by Jennifer Smith-Currier Autism Speaks
gardneredge.com
Posted on Jan. 27th, 2010**
--------------------------------
Two Kansas autism insurance bills have been carried over from the 2009 legislative session and are the subject of a "Capitol push-in week" during January 25-29, 2010 to build legislative awareness and move the bills forward in the 2010 session.
and
In both bills, "Applied Behavior Analysis" is defined. Applied behavior analysis is included under classification of ‘‘Habilitative or rehabilitative care’’ - means and includes any professional, counseling and guidance service and treatment program, including applied behavior analysis."
Neither behavior analysts nor BACB certificants, nor the competencies of behavior analysis provision are referenced in SB 12 or HB 2367. An ‘‘Autism services provider’’ is specified and "means any person, entity or group that provides treatment of any autism spectrum disorder".
Why the bills are referred as "Kate's Law",
"My daughter Kate was diagnosed with autism at 2 years 4 months. She had been a typically developing, bright, verbal, and engaging child until shortly after her first birthday when her development started to regress. At the time she was diagnosed she had lost the ability to speak, she was non-responsive to social interaction, and content to line up her toys and flap her hands for hours on end.Video by the Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation
Our health insurance denied coverage for her treatment. My wife and I drained our savings account but were able to provide Kate with 25 hours/week of a home-based intensive behavior therapy program for 3 years. Kate is currently in 4th grade in a general education classroom without an aide. She has "straight A's" on her report card and achieved a score of "exemplary" in both the Math and Reading Kansas State Assessment Tests this year. She still struggles with the social deficits that come with the diagnosis of autism, but she has a small group of good friends and plans to be a writer and an actress when she grows up.
It was suggested that the Accessing Autism Services Bill be nicknamed "Kate's Law" as a reminder to legislators what a child with autism is capable of achieving if provided access to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Sarah and I are honored that this bill carries her name. "
Kate's Law part 1
Kate's Law part 2
---------------------------------
For more information:
Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation
Autism Votes - Kansas
Kansas Legislature
Report of the Kansas Autism Task Force to the 2009 Kansas Legislature
"Findings and Recommendations to the Autism Task Force,
'...Examples of evidence-based practices included: Applied Behavioral Analysis and Discrete Trial Teaching (e.g., University of California at Los Angeles,and replication sites); and 2 other intervention programs cited in a meta-analysis conducted by Simpson and colleagues (2005) Pivotal Response Training (PRT; University of California at Santa Barbara), and Learning Experiences: An Alternative for Preschoolers and Parents (LEAP)..."
Best Practice Recommendations based on a Synthesis of Sources
1.Use of a model based on the science of human behavior such as that found in an Applied Behavior Analysis model of intervention. Applied Behavior Analysis has been referenced throughout the literature as having the most scientific evidence to support the use of techniques found in intensive behavioral programs...' "
ABA Chapters for/in Kansas
Kansas ABA
Southeastern ABA
---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website,
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website,
