Q&A with Rep. Miller on restraints on kids: 'This abuse is a nightmare'

U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., who chairs the House Education and Labor Committee, is co-sponsoring legislation that prohibits or limits restraint and seclusion of students except in rare cases, when there is "imminent danger of injury." USA TODAY education writer Greg Toppo asked Miller about the proposal:

Q: First things first: What got you interested in this issue?

A: Last winter, the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) released a report detailing hundreds of cases where abusive uses of seclusion and restraint by school staff injured or traumatized schoolchildren, including cases where children were pinned to the floor, handcuffed, locked in closets and other horrific acts. To get a better sense of how widespread this abuse was and what protections children had, I asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate. Their work backed up what the NDRN and other groups have found: This abuse was happening in public and private schools around the country, it was happening disproportionately to students with disabilities, and in a number of cases, children were dying. The types of abuse these kids are suffering are so disturbing, you'd think these were stories about torture tactics used at prison camps. Instead they're happening to some of our youngest children, in our schools.

Read on...

CDC Study Expected to Announce 1 in 100 Autism Rate—A Startling 50% Jump in Just Two Years. Evidence Points to an Environmental Trigger.

CDC Study Expected to Announce 1 in 100 Autism Rate—A Startling 50% Jump in Just Two Years. Evidence Points to an Environmental Trigger. SafeMinds calls for more targeted environmental research and vaccine safety studies to begin immediately.

Atlanta, GA – Researchers report that autism has risen to an epidemic rate of 1 in 100 children in a study to be released on Friday by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network office of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), This rate represents a 50% increase between the two birth cohort years of 1994 and 1996 and mirrors a recent study released by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which found a rate of 1 in 91 children, 1 in 58 boys.

In 2007, the ADDM released a similar study conducted in 2002 examining children born in 1994 that found the autism rate to be 1 in 150. In the study to be released Friday, the CDC looked at children born in 1996 (8 years old in 2004) and determined that there was a substantial increase of 50% between those two birth years.  Read on...

Is Your Child Missing Sleep?

Does your child refuse to cooperate in the morning? Do you dread the constant bickering and fights between siblings, especially late in the afternoon? Does your child get into trouble for not listening or lacking focus? Is it a battle every time your child has to complete a task — any task? Is your child “losing it” over seemingly insignificant issues, like a bad hair day? Does your child seem to “resist” sleep? Are you tired? Really tired?


It is estimated that 60 percent of American children, from infants to teens, are wired and tired, too exhausted to behave well and unable to sleep. Could your child be one of them?


In this refreshingly warm and practical guide, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka shows you how to:

* recognize whether your child is misbehaving or missing sleep;
* identify the everyday decisions that may be innocently disrupting your child’s sleep ;
* end the bedtime and nighttime struggles and as a result stop the “misbehaviors” during the day;
* get the sleep your family needs and deserves.


Sleepless in America sounds the wake-up alarm for the parents of all the “tired and wired” children in America. In a compelling, but easy-to-grasp manner it presents:

* the scientific link between lack of sleep and children’s behavioral problems;
* the interplay between parent's sleep habits and children’s sleep and (mis)behavior;
* how never-before-recognized “normal” everyday events and issues leave children, even infants, too tense to sleep, even when they are put to bed;
* practical strategies and real-life examples to help children and their parents get the sleep they so desperately need;
* strategies for customizing the tools to “fit” each child and family.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln

What is Sensory Integration Dysfunction?

One of the things that is absolutely clear with Sensory Integration Dysfunction or Sensory Discrimination difficulties is that our children are being betrayed by their senses and their bodies. Things that should come as very easy for the child become a constant assault upon them. Their life becomes a series of challenges and confusion. For some children the very act of getting up in the morning becomes a struggle and assault upon their bodies and mind. The alarm jars them from sleep; the floor hurts their feet; the brushing of teeth or hair can be physically painful as well being a balancing act. Getting dressed can mean their pants are too stiff; their socks are uncomfortable; their shirt neck is too tight!

A child with Sensory Integration Dysfunction is unable to process or respond appropriately to electrical impulses that are flowing through their bodies. Jean Ayres describes this as a sensory processing breakdown or “a traffic jam in the brain”. The brain’s irregularity in responding to sensory information can bring about difficulties in a variety of areas. Our brains are provided millions of pieces of information each day that must be organized and processed so that our body systems can respond to the input. Often times, when we hear the word "senses," we think of the five senses- sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. However, we actually experience the world through seven senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, as well as balance/movement and body positioning. It is how our nervous system interprets and organizes this information that allows our body and mind to move through our day and adapt to the environment around us. The sensations we experience all around us are the building blocks for processing our experiences throughout the day.
To help us understand how sensory integration occurs within our brain, as well as recognize how our conscious and our unconscious interact with each other, it is easiest for us to break sensory integration down to three complementary intradependent processes: sensory modulation, sensory discrimination, and motor planning (Smith,2004). Read on...

Treatments For Asthma And Pre-Term Labor May Increase Risk Of Autism Spectrum Disorders In The Developing Fetus

Commonly prescribed beta 2 adrenergic agonist drugs for the treatment of asthma in pregnant women as well as pre-term labor may increase the incidence of autism-spectrum disorders, psychiatric pathology, cognitive problems and poor school performance in their children, according to a new study published in the December 2009 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.  Read on...

8 Ways to Make Outings Less Stressful

1. Set expectations - Be sure to let kids know what to expect. Clearly tell kids, “We are going to the doctor. We will wait in the office and then Dr. Klein will see you. I will be with you if you are afraid or have any questions.” If you are doing more than one thing, let the child know, “We are going to the store, the post office, and then the park.”

2. Provide support for the child to be successful - Some children benefit from having information in writing or in a drawing format. Reading stories in advance that discuss what is going to happen can reduce anxiety. Images from stories including Success Stories provide a way for children to see what is expected of them. Use illustrations and/or words during an event to reassure children.

Read the other 6 tips...

Definitions of Terms Used in the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in the Schools Act

The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act will establish minimum safety standards in schools, similar to federal protections already in place in hospitals and other community-based facilities. The bill uses definitions from existing law and creates new definitions relevant to schools...

Click here to view the table.

Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in the Schools Act

Protecting All Children in School

Every child should be safe and protected while in school. But a recent investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found hundreds of allegations that children have been abused, and some even died, as a result of misuses of restraint and seclusion in public and private schools, often at the hands of untrained staff. Many of these interventions were used disproportionately on some of our most vulnerable students -- children with disabilities. Unlike in hospitals and other facilities that receive federal funding, there are no federal laws that address how and when restraint or seclusion can be used in schools. State regulations and oversight vary greatly and have often failed to protect children. It is also impossible to determine the full extent to which these interventions are used because there is currently no consistent reporting of data.

The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act is the first national effort to address this problem and ensure the safety of everyone involved – both students and school staff. Specifically the legislation would:

* Prevent and reduce inappropriate restraint and seclusion by establishing minimum safety standards in schools, similar to protections already in place in hospitals and non-medical community-based facilities

* Allow physical restraint or locked seclusion only when there is imminent danger of injury, and only when imposed by trained staff;
* Prohibit the use of any mechanical restraint, such as strapping children to chairs, misusing therapeutic equipment to punish students, or duct-taping parts of their bodies;
* Prohibit chemical restraint, meaning medications used to control behavior that are not administered consistent with a physician’s prescription;
* Prohibit any restraint that restricts breathing;
* Prohibit aversive behavioral interventions that compromise health and safety, such as denying students water, food, or clothing, denying access to toilet facilities, or using noxious stimuli such as pepper spray in order to control behavior;
* Prohibit schools from including restraint or seclusion as planned interventions in student’s education plans, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); and
* Require schools to notify parents after incidents when restraint or seclusion was used.

Read on...

Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Children from Abuse in Schools

Legislation will, for the first time, address seclusion and restraint in schools; Embodies principles set by Obama administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today introduced legislation that would, for the first time, protect all children in schools from harmful uses of restraint and seclusion. The legislation embodies principles outlined in a letter U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan sent to Miller today. U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) is also expected to introduce companion legislation today in the Senate. The lawmakers unveiled the bill at a press conference this morning. Read on...

The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) would establish the first federal standards to protect students from misuse of restraint and seclusion and ensure the safety of everyone in the classroom. It would apply to public schools, private schools and preschools receiving federal education support. Specifically the legislation would:


* Establish important minimum federal safety standards in schools, similar to the protections already in place in hospitals and other non-medical community based facilities
* Limit physical restraint and locked seclusion, allowing these interventions only when there is imminent danger of injury, and only when imposed by trained staff;
* Outlaw mechanical restraints, such as strapping kids to chairs, and prohibit restraints that restrict breathing;
* Require schools to notify parents after incidents when restraint or seclusion was used;
* Call on states, within two years of enactment, to establish their own policies, procedures, monitoring and enforcement systems to meet these minimum standards;
* Encourage states to provide support and training to better protect students and prevent the need for emergency behavioral interventions; and
* Increase transparency, oversight and enforcement tools to prevent future abuse.

The Education and Labor Committee plans to mark up the bill early next year.

Personal commentary to follow....

How long does it take to be okay/acceptance?

This question came through on one of the list serves I am on.  I responded with the following using the Kubler Ross Theory of Grieving.  

I have several posts about the emotional rollercoaster we ride...

There is no magic number as to how long it takes...everyone grieves differently.  Kubler Ross wrote on 5 stages of grieving: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.  These don't occur in any specific order and there is often an overlap. 

For me, the denial was before the diagnosis.  I suspected something was off as I have two older neurotypical kids.  I had my friend who is an ST give him a look over and she said he was fine.  I breathed a sigh of relief but still had my concerns.  I had another friend who is a special ed teacher look him over and she said, "Oh, he will still go to Harvard", I breathed a sigh of relief but still had my concerns.  Then I had him evaluated by the county's early intervention program and they said he did not meet all their criteria...so I stopped worrying as much.  Then he began having problems in the preschool program I entered him into a few mornings a week to gain social skills.  I had him evaluated again by the county, 6 weeks before his 3rd birthday....and they accepted him this time...and thus began our journey.

Anger is a big one for me.  It honestly has propelled me to finding solutions but has also exhausted every fiber of my being.  I was angry that my son missed 8 months of early intervention because they did not pick up his deficits the first time around.  I was angry at myself for accepting their report.  A diagnosis of PDD-NOS, mild autism, came 1 month after he turned 3 and I went full steam ahead with absolutely everything I could find for him and afford.  My anger was and is today with our pathetic "system".  Anger at the CDC, for pushing so many vaccines.  Anger at the school district for not giving my son a free and appropriate public education.  Angry at those therapists who just did not give a hoot.  Angry at the therapists who did not accept insurance.  Angry at times at my husband because he just did not seem to "get it".  Angry at the legal system because they are so damn expensive to retain just so your child can have his basic rights met.  Angry at the people who ran from us as if we were contagious.  Angry at the politics at play that have no place in bringing my son's strengths out.  Anger has been a continuous component on my journey.  Blogging/journaling and praying has been my saving grace. 

Bargaining...on a few occasions I have said to God, "please let me bear the load...take it away from my son, and let it fall on me".  I remember being in his room one time when he was spinning out of control.  I leaned over him to give him a deep pressure hug.  I looked right into those beautiful blue eyes and my eyes filled so fast it was like a deluge.  I was already on my knees so I begged and pleaded with God to please take it all away from him and let all his strengths shine. 

Depression may be there quietly hiding in the dark on a daily basis...but I have refused to give into it.  I can't afford to.  I have to find another solution.  I have to keep working.  I have to let the anger fuel me, propel me into healing my son. 

Acceptance...NOPE, I never accepted that his diagnosis was final.  I would not swallow this pill.  I had places to go like ST, OT, PT, Therapeutic Horseback, and Therapeutic Tumbling, to name a few.  I had to research and implement diet changes, to research and implement supplements...to find activities that will feed him a sensory diet.  I just could not accept that my son's diagnosis of mild autism was here to stay.  This lack of acceptance yielded 18 months of non-stop running ragged.  I got tired of fighting with the schools to get my son's needs met.  I got tired of the politics.  I wanted my energy to go in a positive direction, not wasted by banging my head against the brick wall at the end of a dead end road.

So now, I homeschool my son...and the results have been phenomenal. 

The reward of all this running around and lack of acceptance?  My son saw his neurodevelopmental pediatrician a few weeks back.  My son LOST the autism diagnosis.  Sure, he still has some issues and we need to keep going with the ST and OT.  "Keep on keeping on with what you are doing because it is working", the doctor said...all that hard work and effort, all that anger, all those bargains, all paid off. 

Don't give up...keep on keeping on...pray for strength to keep on going. 

Bipartisan Lawmakers to Introduce Legislation to Protect All Children in Schools from Abuse

ADVISORY for Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Melissa Salmanowitz (Miller) 202.226.0853
Kimberly Betz (McMorris Rodgers) 202.225.2006

Legislation will, for the first time, prevent harmful restraint and seclusion in classrooms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, December 9, U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) will hold a press conference to introduce new legislation to protect all children in schools from misuse of restraint and seclusion. Miller is the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a member of Democratic leadership, McMorris Rodgers is a member of the Committee and the Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference.

This legislation is the first national effort to prevent and reduce harmful restraint and seclusion in schools. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office investigation found hundreds of allegations that schoolchildren have been abused, and some even died, as a result of the inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in classrooms; a disproportionate number of them were children with disabilities. Yet unlike in hospitals, and other medical and community-based facilities that receive federal funding, there are currently no federal policies that prevent the misuse of restraint and seclusion in schools. State regulation and oversight varies greatly; many states provide no guidance or assistance regarding these behavioral interventions.

WHO: U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference

Families of children who have been the victims of harmful restraint and seclusion in classrooms

Additional participants TBA


WHAT: Press Conference to Introduce Legislation to Prevent Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools

WHEN: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 11:00AM EST

WHERE: Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room 2175 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Members of the press interested in attending this event must RSVP to Melissa Salmanowitz at Melissa.Salmanowitz@mail.house.gov or 202-226-0853. Television cameras planning to cover the event must arrive no later than 10:30 am for setup.

This press conference will be webcast live from the Education and Labor Committee website at http://edlabor.house.gov

Kids and H1N1 Vaccine

Should you get your kids vaccinated against H1N1? Find out what physicians and parents say.

You're on the fence about having your kids get the H1N1 vaccine. Even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the vaccine for at-risk categories, including children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years old, you're still not sure. Want help deciding what to do? Here's what parents and physicians are saying.

I was interviewed and quoted in this article! 

All Natural Gummy Supplements

I do not over do it in the area of supplements.  As a matter of fact, I have been very conservative.  I tried a few things here and there to see what helped and what did not help.  The key for us is to determine what my son would actually eat or consume.  I have tried supplements that are powder or liquid and snuck them into his juice...but my little sleuth with overly sensitive taste buds could always figure out something was not right.  In the worst case, he would no longer drink that particular juice anymore thinking that it was the juice that gave off "that taste". 

What he always and consistently likes is Gummies.  All natural Gummies with no artificial flavors or dyes would delight him.  I have been alternating between two multivitamins, Nemo and Gummy Bears.  I alternate because it offers him choice and keeps things a little fresh.  Choice is big for my son, it seems to give him a sense of control and empowerment when his little world feels so out of control. 

I have been using CVS brand Omega-3 supplements for close to a year now.  I noticed a marked improvement in his behavior after about 1 week of introducing them.  Then, if we ran out and I did not replenish the stock fast enough, I would notice a slight backslide.  So, I try to make sure that we never run out. 

At one of the last visits to the pediatrician, I asked to have some labs looked at to see if he was deficient anywhere.  He was mildly low in calcium and vitamin D.  Calcium did not surprise me because he self weaned off most dairy products.  It was as if he sensed on his own that all the milk he had been consuming somehow affected him.  Casien, found in dairy, acts as sedative to many children.  In addition, since my pregnancies, I have to take prescription Vitamin D supplements, so that deficiency did not surprise me either.  Vitamin D is converted from sun exposure.  Since we are a fair skinned Irish family, we slather our kids with sunscreen, especially in the wake of my husband's ongoing battle with skin cancer.  So, when I found Calci-bears, I was ecstatic!! They have vitamin D too.  I don't have to worry about too much Calcium as they are equivalent to two glasses of milk. 

Vitamin C is a natural detoxer.  What ever your body does not need is excreted in the urine or stool.  So I added vitamin C to the mix, however, these are not gummies and he is hit or miss with taking these chewables.  I also found a vitamin that contained Greens...since he does not like vegetables...but the taste of these send him over the edge and he won't touch them. 

I also have Gummy Echinacea in the cabinet of which I put on board when a sniffle rears it's ugly head.  

Now, all of these have been tremendously helpful.  However, I have to go to multiple stores multiple times a month to keep the cabinets stocked and the "cha-ching" is very loud.  So, began my quest for an economical solution and I am excited to report my findings. 

Calci Bears $5.88 instead of $11.99

All Natural Gummy Omega-3's $5.88 instead of $12.99

Vitamin C with Echinacea   $5.88 instead of $11.99

Veggie Fruit Bears $5.88

One price shipping only $4.99 and 4% of my order goes into our Upromise account!!!

Sensory Kids and Chewing

Do you have a sensory seeker who chews on their shirt collar?  Or chews on their hair? 

Many OT's suggest chewing gum or crunchy snacks while doing classwork to help improve focus.  It actually works but not many teachers allow gum in their classrooms or crunchy snacks.  Looking for an alternative? 

Smart Mom has the solution for you!  Donut Shaped Pendants and SugarPlum is 50% off this month.  Check it out!

Hero's of Autism

Ideas for Making Short and Long Trips Less Stressful

Family vacations create lifelong memories and part of the experience is traveling to the location. For some children this can be exciting while for others it can be stressful. This article includes ideas for reducing stress before and during travel.

1. Prepare Children – Reduce anxiety by telling children what to expect. Prepare children by reading books, writing stories, and discussing the upcoming trip. If the experience is new be sure to explain it to the child. For example, if a child is flying for the first time, explain the security process of taking off their shoes, putting their possessions in a machine, and waiting to go through screening. Clearly outline the steps to prepare children. Additionally, let children know how long the trip is going to be or set a timer so children know when they will arrive. Some children may benefit from a picture or word schedule of the events on the trip. The schedule allows children to understand visually what is happening next. Be sure to update children on traffic jams or flight delays that change their travel time.

4 more tips...

Scientific Link to Autism Identified

According to The Center's founder, William McFaul, a retired business person and not a member of the scientific community, "Because of its universal applicability, our Life Sciences group has already used the model as a tool to identify highly probable causal paths for several illnesses and disease entities. Autism was one of most difficult illnesses The Center had attempted to analyze. If it hadn't been for so many parents insisting that vaccines were responsible for the condition, we might never have found the fact that the stabilizer in MMR and a few other vaccines is hydrolyzed gelatin; a substance that is approximately 21% glycine. It appears that, based on readily verifiable science, the use of that form of glycine triggers an imbalance between the amino acid neurotransmitters responsible for the absorption rate of certain classes of cells throughout the body. It is that wide-spread disruption that apparently results in the systemic problems that encompass the mind and the body characterized in today's 'classic' autism." He also added, "The use of our model indicates each of the disorders within Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is attributable to different disruptions in homeostasis. We look forward to sharing our findings relative to each disorder with the scientific community."  Read on...

For the Local Yokles: Holiday Story Time at Borders

Borders Grinchfest Holiday Storytime, Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.

Borders ® stores company-wide will host a " Grinchfest" holiday storytime Saturday, Dec. 5. 11 a.m. The event is the 3rd in a series of storytime events taking place at Borders this holiday season to encourage kids to develop a love of reading. Youngsters are encouraged to come to Saturday´s storytime ready to enjoy some classic Dr. Seuss stories like the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "The Cat in the Hat." The Grinch himself will be stuck in Whoville, but there will be plenty of fun to be had with holiday caroling, coloring and arts and crafts as well as raffles and giveaways that include prizes such as puzzles, stickers, bingo games and more. The whole family will be able to sample delicious treats from the Seattle´s Best Coffee cafe including hot chocolate for kids and the Peppermint Mocha Trio coffee drink for adults as well as a variety of pastries.

Borders Beckett the Bear Holiday Storytime, Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m.

Borders ® stores company-wide will host a " Becket the Bear" holiday storytime Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. Beckett, an adorable stuffed toy panda bear, is the star of the Borders exclusive "Beckett the Panda-Monium," which is the featured storytime book. Kids are encouraged to bring their own favorite stuffed animals to the storytime for a show-and-tell following the story. In addition, there will also be a sing-a-long and a holiday coloring activity, and youngsters won´t want to miss the opportunity to win a "Christmas with the Chipmunks" CD at the end of the event. The whole family will be able to sample delicious treats from Seattle´s Best Coffee cafe including hot chocolate for kids and the Peppermint Mocha Trio coffee drink for adults as well as a variety of pastries.

Health Care Reform & Autism

Blah, Blah, Blah!

"Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, today applauds the members of the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a health care reform bill that contains a provision for autism insurance reform in a vote held late last night.

The provision, introduced this past July by Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA) and passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will prohibit discrimination in benefits against people with autism by including behavioral health treatments as part of the essential benefits package. The bill must now be passed by the U.S. Senate." Excerpted from Autism Families of NJ newsletter

So, I am searching the web...and I take a look see for the actual bill that sits in the Senate.  Found it.

All 615 pages of it.  I actually scanned those pages. I used the find feature to look for "autism".  Nothing there.  So, then I did some digging on this "wonderful" Mike Doyle.  I came across this press release, House Autism Caucus Introduces Autism Services Bill which then brought me to examine Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007 which went no where. 

So, if you have come across some concrete legislative documents or press releases that clearly states how the health care reform bill will help individuals with autism, please post links below. 

My point is, don't just rely on what others are telling you...that includes the media, non-profit orgs, etc...rely on yourself.  Read the document, the actual bill..make your own informed decisions.  Do your homework.  Remember, we live in a capitalistic society.  Every organization who can capitalize on something, will, and will push in the direction that is to their own advantage.

We need to see more service providers accepting a multitude of insurance options.  We are limited by what our insurance provider offers.  So if we can only see 2 therapists in 4 counties based on our insurance coverage and those therapists have a waiting list a mile long, how does this help the child with autism?  If the child needs 3 sessions a week of speech therapy but insurance only covers 1 session a week and only 30 sessions in a 52 week calendar year, how does that help the child with autism?  Same applies for OT, PT, ABA.

We have a plethora of providers north of us...and the bulk of them do not accept insurance, period.  Oh you can try to submit for out of network benefits, but you are on your own with that one.  Meanwhile that therapist collected their $150 per session fee.  With this economy the way it is, how are we supposed to afford that?

Many insurance companies offer alternative treatment discounts for chiropractors, massage, gym memberships, etc.  But what about discounts for the autism families who are successfully benefiting from listening therapy, therapeutic horseback, social skills groups and others?  That is all out of pocket.

So, how is autism specifically being helped with this new health care reform?  What benefits do I see?  What benefits do you see?  Please leave your comments below.