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| Autism Society of Iowa ASI News |
February 2017
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The Autism Society of Iowa is accepting college scholarship applications through March 1 and autism programming grant applications until March 15, 2017. Please check the links below if you are interested in submitting an application.
Kris Steinmetz
Executive Director
Autism Society of Iowa
www.autismia.org
515-327-9075
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Autism Insurance
Bill Update
Autism Bill Advances In House
AUTISM BILL ADVANCES IN HOUSE
For the past decade, legislators have looked for different ways to pay for various services to individuals with autism. State employee insurance was directed to pay for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment for individuals who are diagnosed with autism. Trying to avoid a broader insurance mandate, legislators created a state-funded program to pay for ABA treatment.
This $3 million program has never been fully utilized, mainly because it takes a lot of time and effort on parents to apply for funding. They must first show that they have exhausted all appeals with their own insurance providers, and then get written documentation from their insurer that they have denied services (which is hard to get). Then they must apply for funding, and wait for approval. Advocates say a much simpler way to address this is to have private insurers pay for ABA treatment, and have a much smaller program to pick up others who are uninsured or are covered by self-insured plans that would be exempt from an insurance mandate.
So after a decade of work, advocates can celebrate (a little...still more work ahead). The
House Commerce Committee passed
House Study Bill 41, which requires insurers to pay for up to $36,000/year in ABA treatment for children up to age six, $25,000/year for children age 7-13, and $12,500/year for children age 14-18. A companion bill
(Senate Study Bill 1043) is being considered by the
Senate Commerce Committee. The House bill will be getting a new number and will be ready for debate sometime next week.
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Camp High Hopes
Scholarships For Summer Camp Now Available
Apply Today!
Camp High Hopes, located in Sioux City, Iowa, has received special funding to help offset the cost of camp for individuals diagnosed with autism. These camperships, provided by Autism Speaks, are for kids, teens, and adults with autism to help pay for the cost of Summer Sleep Away Camp or Summer Day Camp sessions. Register today! Spots fill quickly and camperships are limited. Go to
www.camphighhopes.com for more information.
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Iowa Miss Amazing Pageant
February 17 & 18, 2017
In Council Bluffs, IA
The Iowa Miss Amazing Pageant provides opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to build confidence and self-esteem in a supportive and fun environment! The 5th annual Iowa Miss Amazing Pageant will be held on February 17 & 18 at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.
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Theatre UNI to Tour Play for Youth with Autism Across Iowa
Theatre UNI will present "Palette of Possibility," a unique touring theatre production created by UNI theatre professor Gretta Berghammer and designed specifically to meet the needs of youth on the autism spectrum and other developmental delays, their families and typical peers. Concepts such as pretend play, shadows, light, the rain cycle, water play, beneath the sea and wind are explored through a variety of actor-generated experiences for the audience that rely on playful, non-verbal and movement-based interactions between the audience and performers.
Shows are open to all youth and their families and will feature the hallmarks of best practices in production work designed to meet the needs of special learners including interaction, engagement, participation, non-restrictive seating, sensory friendly lighting and sound, multiple visual cues, low language and movement/gesture-based storytelling. The play is 45-60 minutes in length.
https://uni.edu/theatre/theatre-uni/palette-possibility
Public performances will be held in the following communities:
Tuesday, February 14 6pm
Wilson Performing Arts Center, Red Oak, IA
Performance is FREE, Seating is limited
Call Kara Sherman at 712-623-3135 to reserve a seat
Thursday, February 16 6:30pm
First Presbyterian Church, 1115 5th Avenue, Fort Dodge, IA
Performance is FREE, Seating is limited
"Tickets" available at the door OR in advance
Contact Beth or Rachell at 515-955-8326 to reserve a seat
Friday February 17 6:00 p.m./doors will open at 5:30
SW Community College Instructional Center, Room 180, Creston, IA
Performance is FREE; no ticket necessary BUT seating is limited
Call the Learning Center of Southwest Iowa to reserve your spot: 641-782-3849
Saturday and Sunday, February 18 & 19 3:00 p.m. each day
Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA
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Adventures In Social Drama
Spring Break Opportunity!
Adventures in Social Drama Spring Break Class
When: March 13-17, 2017
Where: Des Moines Onstage, 2124 Grand Ave
Who: Typical and atypical learners age 10-15
Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Cost: $150.00 per student covers the entire week of sessions
Register today at [email protected] or call (515) 306-0030, or for more information,
click here.
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ASI 5th Annual Autism Awareness 5K Run, Walk & Resource Fair - Creston, IA
Saturday, April 29 3-6pm Register Today!
Creston High School - 601 W Townline Street
ASI will be hosting the 5th Annual Autism Awareness 5K Run, Walk & Resource Fair. Awards will be given to the Top Three Male and Female runners in each age division: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Schedule Of Events:
3pm - Registration, Autism Resource Fair and T-shirt Pickup
4pm - Welcome, Autism Awareness Lap, Balloon Release and Start of 5K Run with Walkers to Follow
5:30pm - 5K Awards Ceremony
Adults-$25, Child (12 and under)-$15. Together we can solve the puzzle!
For more details on the event or to register, click here.
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Barefoot Autism Challenge
A Virtual Event During April
Hi, my name is Tyler. I have autism. I want to challenge you. Whether you have autism or not, I want you to put yourself in the "shoes" of someone with autism--or rather take them off--and take part in the Barefoot Autism Challenge. Go to a location like a park, a trail, a sidewalk, the beach, etc., and take the challenge by removing your shoes and submersing yourself in your environment. Feel the earth. Connect with it, and connect with yourself. Then post a picture or video on social media and at the Barefoot Autism Challenge's Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/BarefootAutismChallenge/. Let us know how it made you feel. Most importantly, share what advocating for someone with autism means to you. Challenge as many friends as you like using #barefootautismchallenge.
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Iowa Family Support Network
Children At Home Grant Program
The Children at Home Grant Program has restarted for Iowa and is now distributed through the state of Iowa through the Iowa Family Support Network and it provides financial assistance.
Some of the qualifications include:
- residing in Iowa
- the child must meets the definition of developmental disability and be less than 22 years
- services or items must help enable the child to remain living in the home
- the family's net income must be less than $60,000.
It could cover:
- special adaptive devices, nutritional supplements, respite care, camps, items to make your home safe, therapy not covered by Medicaid or insurance, or therapeutic equipment.
For more information, click here:
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Funding Support for
Anti-Elopement/Wandering Devices
By Iowa Compass
Assistive technology (AT) can help stop elopement or the wandering away of people with autism spectrum disorder. AT can be as simple as building a fence. It can be as complex as using GPS tags to locate someone who wanders away and gets lost. AT devices may be expensive. But there is funding support for families and caregivers of people with autism.
To read more on funding, click here.
The best advice from Iowa Compass: don't give up! Get in touch with us for more tips and support. Find Compass online at www.iowacompass.org or call 1-800-779-2001.
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Upcoming Classes, Camps,
Workshops, Seminars, Webinars, Events
& Meetings
NAMI Greater Des Moines
NAMI has new classes for 2017 scheduled and opportunities for presentations to your organizations and community groups. For a complete list
click here.
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Autism Support Groups
Support Across Iowa
Support groups are meeting all over Iowa including Spillville, Creston, Osceola and Shenandoah. For more information on
support
groups throughout Iowa, click here. Let us know if your support group is meeting and k
eep us updated so we can help spread the word.
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Autism Research Studies
Lamar University
Research Study Added!
The Autism Society of Iowa is contacted by universities doing research studies in the area of autism throughout the year. In an effort to assist those in the autism research field and let families and caregivers be aware of participation opportunities, ASI has created a page on their website listing these studies. The Autism Society of Iowa does not endorse any student, study or college listed, but would like to make families and caregivers aware of studies available, that they can participate in.
To view a list of autism research studies to participate in,
click here.
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Autism Source
Support, Guidance And A Compassionate Ear
The Autism Society is now able to provide guidance and support to individuals and families 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm Monday through Friday and on the weekends from 8am to 4pm!
The Autism Source Information and Referral services provides one-to-one, expert guidance and support to tens of thousands of people each year who call, email and write with their questions and concerns-or who just need someone to listen. The Autism Source, is the nation's longest serving, largest and most effective provider of information and support to individuals and families impacted by autism. Spanish speaking support is also available.
If you, or someone you know needs support, guidance, or a compassionate ear, please contact them today:
Call: 1-800-3AUTISM
Online: www.autismsource.org
Email: [email protected]
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IEP Resources
Good Websites To Check Out!
It seems like every day can be an IEP day so below are a few links to websites that you may find helpful.
ASK Resource Center - Access for Special Kids - Through various projects and partnerships, we provide a broad range of information, training, advocacy, support, referral and resources related to the needs of persons with all types of disabilities. A single contact to ASK will provide individuals and families with a direct link to the most appropriate services and supports to meet their needs regarding legal matters, special education, health care, mentoring opportunities, and more.
The Family and Educator Partnership (FEP) works to develop and sustain effective partnerships between families, educators, and community providers to promote success for all children and youth with disabilities.
Wrightslaw -
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to
Wrightslaw
for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
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Autism Society of Iowa
P.O. Box 65311
West Des Moines, IA 50265
515-327-9075
Fax: 515-457-7225
The mission of the Autism Society of Iowa is to provide advocacy, support and information to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families, professionals, and communities throughout the state of Iowa.
The Autism Society of Iowa is an integral part of a nationwide association, the Autism Society, that has provided accurate information about autism since its inception in the early 70's.
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