FYI: An iPhone app that might be helpful in IEP meetings

This is an FYI on an iPhone/iPod Touch app reported in the news, but this is not a first-hand report, and posting does not constitute recommendation, endorsement, warranty or statement of suitability. Interested readers are directed to check the information out first-hand and determine suitability of the application for their particular use.

On February 12, 2010 Disability Scoop reported on a new free-of-charge iPhone app for special education developed for the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) by Nurvee. The stated purpose of the app is to be an "on-the-spot intelligent assistance" tool for families, students, and teachers in the development of student Individual Education Programs (IEPs).

A how-to example 2:10

The IEP Checklist is available at the PEATC website or at the iTunes Store.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

IEP Checklist App
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center

‘IEP Checklist’ iPhone App Aims To Level Playing Field
By Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop
February 12, 2010

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Views and news expressed in this blog are those of the individual author 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, http://www.abainternational.org

FYI: Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan (BAAM) - "BAAM Movies: ABA in Natural Settings"

Just wanted to give a heads-up on a resource that might be of considerable usefulness to members of the public and practitioners looking for video examples of procedures of applied behavior analysis.

The Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan (BAAM) has among its many resources for its members, public and practitioners,

• "BAAM Movies: ABA in Natural Settings"
  BAAM notes that these are also available for viewing on mobile webbrowsers including iPhone and iPod Touch.

To access this video resource, and to see the rationale, proposed audience, viewer compatibility and conditions of use, please visit the BAAM homepage and scroll down to "BAAM Movies: ABA in Natural Settings"

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members 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, http://www.abainternational.org

 

 

FYI: Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies Winter 2010 newsletter now online

The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies has announced that the Winter 2010 issue of the Center's newsletter, The Current Repertoire, is now available online.

About The Current Repertoire,
The Current Repertoire is the newsletter of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. Published three times a year, The Current Repertoire features news about the Center, the science [of behavior analysis] and its members.


Current Issue - Winter 2010, Volume 26, Issue 1
In this issue:

• From the Executive Director
• Morningside Academy's Award-Winning Program Celebrates 30 Years
• An Introduction to CCBS Director, Charles D. Hamad, Ph.D.
• The Teaching Machine™: Vicci Tucci’s Latest Launch
• Behavior & Philosophy, Jay Moore, Editor
• 2009 Annual Meeting of the Trustees: Election Results
• ABA Conference Coming to LA - CCBS & The Chicago School, LA
• CCBS Happenings at ABAI Convention
• Financial Contributors FY2009 - A list of our supporters

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members 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, http://www.abainternational.org

FYI: The Autism Votes Facebook page and Twitter feed

While the main Autism Votes website is a great comprehensive site for what's going on at both state and Federal level with autism-related legislation and developments, autism insurance bills in particular - for fast-breaking announcements, such as committee hearings or other action alerts, two useful options are
the Autism Votes twitter feed , for those who enjoy "tweeting",  and for slightly more detailed announcements of fast-breaking developments with autism-insurance related bill introductions and legislative meetings or hearings the Autism Votes Facebook page.

This blog will also track a variety of news items, events and legislation of interest to practicing behavior analysts, including autism legislation as it pertains to professional practice of behavior analysis, (and this site also carries the feeds from the Autism Votes Facebook page and Twitter in the right sidebar) but if you as practitioner or consumer are particularly interested in keeping up to date and getting hearing alerts on an autism-related bill in your state that is being tracked by Autism Votes - a friendly recommendation would be to stay in touch with the above resources.

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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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,

FYI: Self-funded Health Insurance Plans and ERISA

With the state legislature sessions opening soon and the likelihood of insurance reform legislation submissions, it seems timely to point out information on reimbursement (and limitations) under self-funded health insurance Plans, and to make note either as an advocate or potential beneficiary of legislation as to the language of a bill (or law) in regards to the matter of self-funded policies.

As noted by Autismvotes, in its webpage, Information for Families With Self-Funded Health Insurance Plans

"Even in the states that have passed autism insurance reform , many children are still unable to receive treatment because they are insured through self-funded plans that are not regulated by the state.  If you work for a large company or government, there is a chance your health plan is a self-funded insurance plan.  For self-funded insurance plans, federal ERISA [Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)] law preempts most state insurance regulations, including benefit reforms like autism insurance reform..."

Some of the useful resources at Autismvotes are,

• Self-funded plans: Establishing an autism benefit
• How Private Health Insurance Works: A Primer
• Companies with self-insured health plans that have opted to provide coverage for autism therapies

The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) also recently published an article on self-insured entities, with pointers on which self-insured companies provide ABA coverage in their policies,

Self-Insured Employers Cover ABA Intervention for Autism and Other Special Needs
Laurie Stuebing, APBA Autism Task Force
APBA Reporter Issue # 3 - February, 2009.

One other useful reference is from the State of Colorado, Division of Insurance - this has some Colorado-specific clauses, but in general is a clear, lay-friendly explanation of ERISA, self-funded plans, and information on departments in the Federal Government dealing with this area.

ERISA -- Employer-sponsored Self-funded Health Benefit Plans
Colorado Division of Insurance January 2009

• What is ERISA?
• What is the difference between a health insurance plan and an employer-funded health benefit plan
• (ERISA)?
• What steps can I take if I am covered under an ERISA plan and my claim is denied?
• Who has regulatory authority for ERISA plans?
• What are required procedures for Employee Welfare Benefit Plans (Self-funded Plans)?
• What is the “summary plan description” and how does it work?
• Do states have the authority to regulate Employer-sponsored Self-funded Health Benefit Plans?
• How many people in Colorado are insured under an employer-sponsored or self-funded health benefit plan (ERISA plan)?
• Who can provide more information on Employer-Funded Health Benefit Plans?

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG

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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members 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, http://www.abainternational.org

December 2009 notes on recent activities of the ABAI Practice Board

[Note -  This is a reminder that while a Special Interest Group of ABA International, statements of the Practitioner's Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG (PIBA-SIG) do not represent, nor claim to represent,  formal policy of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International (ABAI). The below notice is just a summing up/an FYI of that information currently available publicly on the ABA International website, and readers are encouraged to go to the primary sources for full and definitive information]
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The ABA International newsletter, Inside Behavior Analysis 1(2), December 2009 reported some interesting and useful updates on developments within ABA International by the ABAI Practice Board.
Inside Behavior Analysis states that this is a followup to an earlier email communication sent to members in September.

Below is a summary of what was reported in the newsletter on Practice Board activities and focus at the current time. Please refer to Inside Behavior Analysis 1(2), December 2009 for the full article, and consult the Practice Board pages at ABA International.

Insurance coverage

• Two new committees are in development to assist practitioners with insurance billing questions.
• An insurance summit is planned for the national convention in San Antonio bringing together representatives of ABAI, the BACB, insurance companies, Autism Speaks, and other advocacy groups.
  

Licensure

• Descriptions are given of state licensure acts that have already passed and initiatives in progress or proposed, as well as progress on a model licensing act

Governmental affairs

• Members of the Practice Board have been meeting with some of the affiliated chapters to assist with governmental advocacy, and will be expanding in the future to international efforts.
• Information is given on members of the Practice Board to contact should an affiliated chapter or organization be considering bills that would affect practitioners of behavior analysis
  

Affiliated Chapter support

• A full-day session for affiliated chapter training is being planned to immediately precede the ABAI Autism Conference in Chicago on Friday, January 22, 2010. 
• Another meeting for all affiliated chapters of ABAI is planned for the 2010 Annual Convention in San Antonio
  

A New Practitioner Hotline

• A practitioner hotline has been created to give access to consultation services and advice to behavior analysis practitioners on pressing professional issues.
  

Agency Management

• A committee is forming for those behavior analysts who have positions of responsibility in the private or public sector as CEO/COO of large agencies, Special Education Director or in service to school boards or state committees. The purpose of this committee is provide a forum for ABAI members in such roles and to provide a mentor service for new to such positions. 
• There is currently an invitation offered for those who would be interested in participation on such a committee
  

Task Forces

• Position Statements
• A task force with joint participation of the Science and Practice Boards has been formed on the question of seclusion and restraint. The charge of the task force is to develop and recommend a position statement on the appropriate use of restraint and seclusion to be submitted to ABAI Full Members for consideration.
  

• Code of Ethics
• A task force is currently being assembled to study the implications of revising a code of ethics for behavior analysts that will represent and support scientists and researchers, educators, and practitioners.

Higher Education Accreditation and improvements

• Various initiatives are in progress, headed by the ABAI Education Board, to develop or improve criteria related to higher education standards in the training of behavior analysts.
  

For other updates, also see the below pages of which may contain additional details or elaborations of the above summaries, and additional information, such as contact people and Board Members within ABA International,

A Letter From the ABAI President
By Raymond G. Miltenberger, Inside Behavior Analysis 1(2), December 2009

Practice Board Page at ABA International,

Practice Resources page at ABA International
Which has news you can use in aid of advocacy on a variety of issues, and the formal Position Statements of ABA International

ABAI Education Board
By Charles T. Merbitz, Inside Behavior Analysis 1(2), December 2009

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG

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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members 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, http://www.abainternational.org

 

FYI: AZ "HB 2207: Behavior Analysts" Passes in the Legislature

Arizona HB 2207 [amended]
was passed on 7/1/09, the last day of the regular session, by both houses of the legislature, transmitted to the Governor on the same day, and is pending signature.

It introduces changes to previous recently-passed statute on the licensure of Behavior Analysts in the state of Arizona which put Behavior Analysts under the purview of the Board of Psychologist Examiners. The just-passed HB 2207 specifies creation of a separate Board, some timeline changes, and other provisions of professional behavior and practice for Behavior Analysts. For status and current version of HB 2207, see the Arizona Legislative website.

As some background,

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2207 : Behavior Analysts (Barto, Bradley)
Prepared for the AZ Senate on 6/22/09
(Please note that some amendments on the specifics were made to the bill during subsequent Committee work to this Fact Sheet. It's provided just as general information to the gist of the bill.)

"Purpose
Specifies additional requirements for the licensure and regulation of behavior analysts by the Board of Psychologist Examiners.

Background

Laws 2008, Chapter 288, established a licensure and regulatory framework for behavior analysts under the Board of Psychologist Examiners (Board). The legislation required a person who wishes to practice as a behavior analyst to be licensed by the Board beginning January 1, 2010. Additionally, the legislation outlined the educational and experience requirements of licensees and enumerated the duties of the Board, including the licensing and regulating of behavior analysts, prescribing fees, conducting investigations of complaints and taking disciplinary action. Finally, the law designated acts of unprofessional conduct and established grounds for disciplinary action..."

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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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,

FYI: Steven's Law Goes Into Effect in Arizona

Disclaimer: This is provided for informational purposes only to direct to potentially helpful resources.

Steven's Law (Arizona HB 2847/SB 1253 of 2008) is the Arizona insurance mandate passed in March 2008, allowing for coverage of behavioral services for autism treatment.

Steven's Law is stated to go into effect as law on July 1, 2009.

The Arizona Autism Coalition has provided a couple of guides on Steven's Law,

1. A powerpoint presentation on Steven's Law and what it states.
Steven's Law Facts and Information
Posted May 5, 2009

and

2. A step by step guide,
Steven’s Law Step-by Step Eligibility Questions
Posted June 29, 2009

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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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,

FYI/ARTICLE: Future of Psychiatry In the Year 2019: Psychiatry in Law and Public Policy

[Passed along by Joe Cautilli, Chair of the Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group.]

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June 3, 2009
Michael A. Norko, MD. Future of Psychiatry In the Year 2019: Psychiatry in Law and Public Policy, Psychiatric Times, 26(6).

"Whether you credit the idea to Niels Bohr or Yogi Berra, it is true that predictions are very difficult to make, especially about the future. It is a daunting task, yet obviously an intriguing one, to try to imagine what our field will be like in 10 years or more.

To cope with the limits of prognostication, article size, and personal knowledge (and to limit the extent of how wrong I may be proved by time), I will focus here on events in the realms of ethics and law in psychiatry and the inevitable conflicts between science and public policy and economics that have their origin in those spawning grounds. I will comment on 2 general areas:

• Conflicts related to people our society fears and feels justified in stigmatizing—including sex offenders and people with serious mental illness

• The limits of the sciences of prediction and the ways in which our fears lead us to ignore those limits..."

FULL ARTICLE

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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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,

FYI: The Bazelon Center Mental Health Policy Reporter

The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, aka, the Bazelon Center, does a good job of tracking and advocating on matters related to mental health policy. Below is information on the most recent issue of their policy newsletter. You can sign up for your own subscription at the Bazelon Center website: http://www.bazelon.org

FYI: latest issue of the Bazelon Center Mental Health Policy Reporter

(see online or sign-up for your own email subscription)
Volume VIII, No. 4, May 27, 2009

Schools and Mental Health Lead Legislative Agenda

Focus on Supreme Court Nomination Dominates News

Articles:

• Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Decried
• Bills Re-introduced to Enhance Learning and Mental Health in Schools; Please Help Enlist Co-Sponsors
• Sign On to Support the JJDPA Reauthorization Bill
• Homeless Assistance Passed
• Mental Health Parity Comments Encouraged

Newsbytes

• HHS Makes $75 Million Available to States to Expand Health Insurance Coverage
• Congressional Briefing n People with Serious Mental Illnesses in Jails

http://bazelon.org

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members 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,

FYI: Ends June 5 - Public comment on APA Revision of the Model Act for State Licensure

If you haven't already done so and would like to submit comment for American Psychological Association (APA) request for public comment on their Revision of the Model Act for State Licensure, the deadline for such submission is June 5, 2009.

Revision of the Model Act for State Licensure

Frequently Asked Questions about the revision of APA’s Model Act for State Licensure of Psychologists

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members 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,

FYI: April 2009 report on proposed changes to PDD category in upcoming DSM-V

Just a heads-up on some of the changes being discussed for the DSM-V, in re: the Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The workgroup plans to run Requests for Information from professional and lay communities. FWIW, the release of the final, approved DSM-V is expected in May 2012, so the final product is several years down the road.

Report of the DSM-V Neurodevelopmental Disorders Work Group
April 2009
Susan Swedo, M.D.

The Neurodevelopmental Disorders Workgroup met in Arlington VA on April 21-22 [2009] and discussed the following recommendations for potential changes to DSM-V diagnostic criteria. No final decisions have been made about the changes and feedback will be sought from professional and lay communities before the Workgroup finalizes their recommendations.

PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS (PDD)

1) The Workgroup is considering a change in DSM-V that would replace the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) category with the title “Autism Spectrum Disorders” (ASD). The change would utilize a single diagnosis for the disorders currently entitled: Autism, PDD-NOS and Asperger disorder. Several factors support making this change: ..."

FULL ARTICLE
http://www.psych.org/MainMenu/Research/DSMIV/DSMV/DSMRevisionActivities/DSM-V-Work-Group-Reports/Neurodevelopmental-Disorders-Work-Group-Report.aspx

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members 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,