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Autism Speaks is thrilled to announce that through the generosity of Sevenly.org and the James W. Pickle Foundation, 625 financially disadvantaged individuals with autism and schools will receive an Apple iPad 2!

Eligible applicants are individuals who:
- Have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder by a licensed professional,
- Reside in the United States,
- Have limited income and cannot afford to purchase an iPad.

Note: If you already submitted an application for the iPad 2 grant in February 2012, you must re-apply to be considered for the new round.

READ MORE INFORMATION HERE!

Please read the following message from Nebraska Appleseed below. If you or someone you know fits into one of these categories, please contact Nebraska Appleseed to offer your story. You can contact Nebraska Appleseed at (402)-438-8853 or 800-845-3746.  This is relating to a denial from Medicaid / Megellan and not related to a denial from private healthcare providers.

On May 18, 2012, Nebraska Appleseed and the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) filed a class action lawsuit against Vivianne Chaumont and Kerry Winterer, in their official capacities as officers of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  The lawsuit challenges Nebraska Medicaid policies that deny coverage for certain mental and behavioral health treatments for children with particular diagnoses and conditions, including developmental disabilities and autism.  The lawsuit, if successful, would effectively strike down Nebraska’s Medicaid policies as in violation of federal law and would ensure that Medicaid eligible children would receive necessary early behavioral health interventions as recommended by their providers.

Appleseed would like to speak with parents/caregivers of children who may have been affected by these policies as well as attorneys and providers who have worked with children in this situation. Read the rest of this entry »

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to educate Nebraska’s Legislature on the importance of passing insurance coverage for people with autism. We made a great showing during this session, and have a lot to be proud of!

Getting a bill passed this session, we knew, was going to be extremely difficult. Because this session is only 3 months long, and there are hundreds of bills, many still in committee, LB 1129 will not be advancing this session.  But, here’s the good news!

The Nebraska Legislature is primed and ready to hear our issue again next session, and much of the ground work has been laid to get us off to a fantastic start.  Senator Colby Coash remains committed to this issue, and discussions will be in progress with him as soon as this legislative session is over to begin planning for next session. We are VERY optimistic that we will get a bill passed next session, and we are looking forward to working with his office on this.

Although much has been done, there is still so much to do. We will be working very closely with Autism Speaks, a national organization that is helping many states all over the US get legislation passed. Autism Speaks has already provided us with critical financial information, outlining the fiscal impact insurance coverage will have on Nebraskans with autism (which is minimal). Additionally,  Autism Speaks has offered to hold grassroots training sessions and conference calls to educate Nebraskans on how to best advocate for insurance legislation to our Senators, for which we are extremely grateful!

This spring, messages and information will be posted on how you can get involved, (or stay involved) and how you can help for the 2013 Nebraska Legislative Session. WE NEED YOU (and your friends!).  Our Senators listen to their constituents, and it is imperative that we make sure every State Senator in Nebraska understands the need for insurance coverage for people with autism, and how the lack of coverage is impacting their own constituents.

Please stay tuned for this information. If you are interested in helping to lead this effort, we want to talk to you!  Please contact me at cmcnair@neb.rr.com if you would like to help.

Again, thank you for all your hard work during this session. Although it is disappointing LB 1129 will not advance, there is much hope for 2013, and we will be working hard throughout the spring, summer and fall of 2012 to continue this effort.  Working together, we can get this done!!

Sincerely,

Chrissy McNair, Nebraska Autism Insurance Steering Committee

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Autism Speaks remains committed to helping Nebraska enact autism insurance reform.  During the upcoming interim session (April 2012 – January 2013) it is crucial that we continue to work together to expand our grassroots network of advocates and educate our legislators.

To assist in organizing this effort, Autism Speaks will be hosting monthly conference calls with Director of Grassroots Development, Shelley Hendrix.  We also hope to arrange a meeting in Lincoln and/or Omaha prior to the beginning of the 2013 session for direct grassroots training and Q&A.

Michael Wasmer, Associate Director, State Government Affairs, Autism Speaks

Autism Action Partnership (AAP) is asking you to design a T shirt to celebrate Autism Awareness Month.  The winning design T shirts will be sold in the Omaha Storm Chasers front gift shop and online.  The winner will have a chance to be an Omaha Storm Chaser for the day and will receive a variety of very special privileges at the stadium!  Download a flyer HERE for more information.

Theme:  What is baseball to you?  Must incorporate a puzzle piece into a baseball theme.

Must be received by March 21st at their office located at:

Autism Action Partnership
14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 115
Omaha, NE  68154

Each year at the Nebraska State ASD Conference, an educator is recognized and awarded the “Friend of Autism” award.

The Friend of Autism award is given to an educator that exhibits the following qualities:

1. Commitment—has the education of families, children and youth with ASD as a primary focus

2. Vision: sees potential in all individuals with ASD

3. Innovation: is aware of empirically supported practices and uses resources creatively

4. Inspiration: displays positive interactions with students with ASD, parents and peers

For more information, please visit the State ASD webpage—www.unl.edu/asdnetwork.

Deadline for nominations is March 2, 2012

Do you know someone who demonstrates remarkable advocacy for an individual or group of individuals with autism spectrum disorders?   Nominate them for the Autism Society of Nebraska – Autism Advocate Award

A submission should include details of how the nominee exhibits the following qualities as an advocate:

Commitment: Has consistently advocated for an individual or group of individuals on the autism spectrum and is committed to promoting autism awareness and advocacy.

Please also include your contact information.

Nomination Deadline: March 16th, 2012  Nominations can be submitted via email to:

autismsociety@autismnebraska.org

or by mail to:

Autism Society of Nebraska

PO Box 83559

Lincoln, NE 68501-3559

The Autism Advocate Award will be presented during the evening event at the 2012 NE ASD Network State Conference on April 12th at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.

Winners from prior years will not be eligible.   Please contact us with any questions!

Due to the winter weather we have received word that the following events on Saturday, Feb 4th are being postponed!

Breakfast Club – rescheduled for next Saturday February 11th at 9am at the Autism Center of Nebraska.

Andrew Benjamin Group’s seminar on Guardianship changes – tentative reschedule date is February 25th

Enjoy your snow day everyone!

We have a new update from the Nebraska Insurance Reform Steering Committee…

The hearing date for LB 1129 has been set. It is Tuesday, February 7th at 1:30pm. The hearing will be at the State Capitol in Lincoln, NE and will be in Room 1507. PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND! It is so important that the autism community show up in support. Here’s what you need to know:

Let’s show our State Senators that we are UNITED, and we are ready for discrimination for our loved ones to END!!! THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY for us to be heard!!