Journal: Behavior Analysis in Practice

At the ABA International Annual Convention, I had a chance to pick up two issues of Behavior Analysis in Practice, and as a personal recommendation, if you have not read the journal it may well be of interest--eminently practical and readable.

Flyer with index of the most recent issue:

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Description of the Journal and audience from the ABA International website,

"Behavior Analysis in Practice (ISSN 1998-1929) presents empirically validated best practices in an accessible format that describes not only what works, but also the challenges of implementation in practical settings. The journal is of special interest and relevance to front-line service workers and their supervisors, scientist-practitioners, and school personnel. Types of articles and topics to be found between its pages include empirical reports describing the application and evaluation of behavior-analytic procedures and programs; discussion papers on professional and practice issues; technical articles on methods, data analysis, or instrumentation in the practice of behavior analysis; tutorials on terms, procedures, and theories relevant to best practices in behavior analysis; and critical reviews of books and products that are aimed at practitioners or consumers of behavior analysis."

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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,

ADVOCACY: Opportunities on Capitol Hill

From the May APA Spin Insider,

An FYI for those who might not know is that ABA International is a member society in the Federation of Behavioral, Psychological and Cognitive Sciences , and was in that way a sponsoring organization for this event.

Capitol Hill Poster Session Showcases NIH-Funded
Behavioral and Social Science Research

Staff from the American Psychological Association (APA), Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA), and other scientific and advocacy organizations recently organized a combined poster session and reception on Capitol Hill, called National Institutes of Health: Improving the Nation’s Health through Behavioral and Social Sciences Research. Held on April 28, the reception drew 43 posters from 19 of the NIH institutes, centers, and offices that fund behavioral science. In addition to federal scientists and research administrators, some NIH units brought in extramural scientists to discuss their research in person.

More than 200 people attended the event, including congressional staff from both the House and Senate, representatives of advocacy organizations in the Washington area, as well as NIH staff. U.S. Representatives Tim Murphy (R-PA) and David Price (D-NC) also took in the posters and talked with NIH leaders, which included the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Tom Insel, and the Acting Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, Alan Guttmacher.

The event was targeted to congressional staff who might not know much about behavioral and social sciences research, or the extent to which it is supported by NIH. In an essay in the program introducing the event, Christine Bachrach, Acting Director of the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences wrote,

“Behavioral research is an integral part of the NIH Mission: NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. An astounding 47% of all deaths have a preventable behavioral cause, including tobacco, poor diet and physical inactivity and sexual behaviors. NIH-funded behavioral and social scientists are working to improve the health of our nation by studying how biology, behavior and the social and physical environments dynamically interact and impact our health. Their research contributes to reducing tobacco use and smoking-related diseases, developing effective behavioral treatments for mental health disorders, preventing type II diabetes, and much more.”

Every event that occurs in Congressional space must have a Congressional sponsor. For this event, Representative Lois Capps (D-CA) was the working sponsor, helping with logistical details such as security clearances. Other sponsors who helped publicize the event to their congressional colleagues included Representative Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). Thirty outside organizations sponsored the event – that is, they made contributions so the event could take place. In addition to APA and COSSA, those organizations included the

• Association of American Medical Colleges,
• Research! America,
• American Heart Association/American Stroke Association,
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing,
• American Educational Research Association,
• American Sociological Association,
• Federation of Behavioral, Psychological and Cognitive Sciences [ABA International is a Federation Member]
• Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research,
• Population Association of America,
• Society for Research in Child Development, and
• Society for Behavioral Medicine.

As the posters are made available, they will be posted on the websites of the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research and the Coalition for the Advancement of Health Through Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.

The following organizations provided posters for the event:

• The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research,
• Office of Research on Women’s Health,
• National Cancer Institute,
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,
• National Human Genome Research Institute,
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases,
• National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering,
• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research,
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,
• National Institute of Mental Health,
• National Institute of Nursing Research,
• National Institute on Aging,
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders,
• National Institute on Drug Abuse,
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
• National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and
• National Center for Research Resources.

Click here to view pictures from the briefing.

FYI: Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism — AFAA Initiative

Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism — AFAA Initiative

Events

November 13, 2009 - National Town Hall Meeting

The National Town Hall will be hosted by The Autism Program Service Network (“TAP”) in Chicago, with participants joining the national discussion via webcasts from at least 14 national satellite sites.

2010 Washington D.C. , Autism Congress

The Autism Congress will build a consensus statement outlining the existing challenges and providing cost effective, evidence-based solutions. This statement will serve as a national agenda from which an action plan will be devised. Participants will include individuals with autism, autism advocates, policy experts, elected public officials, public policy experts and university professors/researchers.

Among familiar groups participating, Autismspeaks, Easter Seals, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR), SARRC, and others.

They are also looking for other organizations to participate in the AFAA

For more information,
http://www.afaa-us.org/

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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 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,

NEWS: Missouri: [House Speaker] Richard promises autism insurance bill for next year

"...Parents of children with autism say a year's delay can make a lifetime's difference.

"The earlier you intervene with these children, the fewer services they need," said state Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-15th District. "Their brains are developing and we can make critical progress. Every year this bill does not pass, we miss an opportunity to positively affect these kids...."

and

"...[MO Sen. Scott Rupp, R-2nd District] said other states have passed similar legislation. In those cases, insurance costs have increased less than 1 percent.

"With parents going bankrupt to give their kids therapy, an increase of less than 1 percent is not a big deal compared to what we could provide with this coverage," Rupp said..."

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JEFFERSON CITY | After catching flak for House inaction on a bill requiring insurance companies to cover autism, House Speaker Ron Richard promised Wednesday to bring all the sides together this summer and file a bill next winter.

"I have instructed several of my chairman to work to compose a plan that will bring insurance companies and autism advocacy groups together for a compromised solution to this very real problem," Richard, a Joplin Republican, said in a statement.

He also said: "Missourians can expect a solid health-care plan, covering autism patients and uninsurable Missourians, mid-summer and expect a bill to be filed in December and taken up on the floor in the coming Legislative Session."

The comments come a day after two Republican senators decried in a St. Louis Suburban Journals article the House's refusal to take up an insurance-coverage bill before the legislative session ended May 15.

One of the senators, Scott Rupp, of Wentzville, blamed "House leadership" for the bill's failure.

FULL STORY

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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 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,

NEWS: Connecticut passes autism insurance reform Substitute Bill 301

CT Substitute Bill No. 301 passed in the House by roll call vote, has been approved by both legislative houses and now goes to enrollment and the CT governor for signature.

Vote for SB-301 Roll Call Number 307
Taken on 05/27/09 AS AMENDED
The Speaker ordered the vote be taken by roll call at 10:12 p.m.
Yes 140, Nay 2. Number required for passage: 72

Substitute Bill No. 301
January Session, 2009 *_____SB00301APP___041609____*

AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

12 (3) "Behavioral therapy" means interactive therapies derived from
13 evidence-based research that are provided to children less than
14 thirteen years of age, including, but not limited to, applied behavior
15 analysis that is provided or supervised by a behavior analyst who is
16 certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

FULL TEXT OF THE SUBSTITUTE BILL
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/TOB/s/pdf/2009SB-00301-R03-SB.pdf

Status and all info,
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=301&which_year=2009&SUBMIT1.x=0&SUBMIT1.y=0&SUBMIT1=Normal

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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 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,

States with passed autism insurance reform laws and bills in progress

States with insurance coverage for autism treatment, including ABA

2001: Indiana, Minnesota
2007: South Carolina
2008: Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Arizona
2009: New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Connecticut.


View States with insurance coverage of ABA in a larger map

Key:
Status of insurance coverage of behavior analysis for children with autism.
Green = passed bill/law
Red = bill in progress or previously introduced
Purple = bill waiting for endorsement by autism votes or introduction
Yellow = bill in progress
Blue = little activity at this time.

For more information, see Autismvotes

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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 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,

NEWS: Nevada passes autism bill May 23, 2009

Nevada just passed an autism insurance reform bill, AB 162. Besides allowing families to access reimbursible treatment of autism, the amended bill (amendment 699) also specified competencies and licensing of those providing behavioral treatment. The bill has been sent to the Nevada Governor to await his signature.

Bill text and status is accessible after the newsblurb.

"Nevada passes autism bill
By CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press Writer
Posted: 05/23/2009 03:13:14 PM PDT
Updated: 05/23/2009 04:38:11 PM PDT

CARSON CITY, Nev.—Nevada lawmakers gave final approval Saturday to help children with autism by requiring health insurers to cover screening and treatment of the disorder..."

FULL POST San Jose [CA] Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12437455

The text of the bill passed,

AB162	Requires certain policies of health insurance and health care plans to provide coverage for screening for and treatment of autism. (BDR 57-44)
	Introduced On: Feb 12, 2009
	By: Ohrenschall Buckley Leslie Woodbury Conklin Aizley Anderson Arberry Atkinson Bobzien Carpenter Christensen Claborn Denis Dondero Loop Goicoechea Grady Hambrick Hardy Hogan Horne Kihuen Kirkpatrick Koivisto Manendo Mastroluca McClain Mortenson Munford Oceguera Parnell Pierce Segerblom Smith Stewart Horsford Schneider Lee Wiener Townsend Amodei Breeden Care Carlton Coffin Copening Nolan Parks Rhoads Woodhouse
	Most Recent History Action: May 23, 2009 - Enrolled and delivered to Governor. ----------- Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG ----------- 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, http://www.abainternational.org

ABAI NEWSFLASH: New Practice Resources at ABA International!

During the Annual Convention in Phoenix, there were many meetings on the question of practice, and related issues of advocacy, potential licensure, as well as presentations on the state of practice and relevant developments, such as the current spate of autism insurance reform bills.

One of the new developments is a slew of resources for practitioners, listed on the Practice Resources page at the ABA International website,
http://www.abainternational.org/BA/practice.asp

Although members are urged to review as much of the page as is possible, I want to highlight a few items of note,

"New Services for ABAI affiliated chapters and organizational members",
http://www.abainternational.org/BA/practice/Malott-Services.pdf

To clarify informally--formal questions should go to ABAI, the reference on page 3, "Training is complimentary", refers to the One Day Training for Chapters, with reduced fees for those Chapter reps who choose to stay over in Chicago for the Autism Conference itself.

Under the Licensing category, see

Raymond Fowler's Discussion on Licensure to ABAI Affiliated Chapter and SIG Leaders
http://www.abainternational.org/BA/practice/Fowler-Licensure.pdf

and some resources for advocacy,

Legistlative Advocacy Handbook

Legistlative Advocacy PowerPoint

As previously stated, take the time to get acquainted with the new resources and opportunities developed during the previous year and shared at the Convention!

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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 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, http://www.abainternational.org