Strollerderby : Autism Speaks

Insurance Companies Still Trying to Claim Autism's Not a Medical Problem

JeanneSager — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:39:00 GMT

In case you were still under the assumption that health insurance companies were put on earth to help take care of our kids' health, don't worry. We thought that once too. But non-profit autism advocacy group Autism Speaks says just eight states in the nation have laws requiring group insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment of autistic kids. Insurance companies in the rest of the U.S. are still eager to debate whether treatment is "educational" or "medical."

Susan Pisano, a spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans, told the Associated Press this week that the industry is wary of laws that order a specific treatment because research may come up with something new around the corner. OK, that I get. But they'd rather we just don't treat the kids?

Well, according to Pisano, it's not necessarily a health issue. The insurance industry's passing the buck to the educational system.

Sounds a lot like the insurance companies we all know and love . . . to hate. Meanwhile, couples like Reza and Arzu Forough have had to move back in with Grandma to afford the cost of their 12-year-old's care. They both work full-time, both have health insurance. If son Shayan were to throw a tantrum, fall, break his leg and need a cast, chances are the insurance company would pay for it. But it won't pay for the treatment that the Foroughs credit with helping him learn to talk about his frustrations rather than throw a tantrum.

Bills are winding their way through the legislatures in a number of states, and Autism Speaks has begun campaigning in even more to get the topic into legislator's heads for 2009. The non-profit's goal is to have legislation on the books in all 50 states to help families of autistic kids.

Next step? Making those insurance plans affordable.

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Pediatricians Group: Screen Early and Often for Autism

Madeline Holler — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:24:00 GMT

There’s no cure for autism, but those with firsthand experience say early therapy can lessen the severity of this disorder. With that in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics has come out with a strong recommendation that all children be screened twice for autism by the age of two.

For parents, this means the doctor will ask at well baby checkups whether their 4-month-old smiles at the sound of her parents’ voices, and if their 9-month-olds babble, or their 1-year-olds point to toys. They may even ask whether your young one responds to his own name.

Of course, the AAP says to temper your panic if the answer to any of these is "no." These are just signs that may hint at more focused testing.

Want to know what autism looks like? You can watch video clips of autistic kids contrasted with unaffected children’s behavior at a website, which is sponsored by Autism Speaks and First Signs. The two groups want to promote early diagnonis and treatment.

New reports also say children with suspected autism should begin treatment even before being formally diagnosed. Also, these reports warn parents about the special diets and alternative treatments endorsed by celebrities, saying there's no proof those work. (I think they’re talking to you, Mr. Travolta).

Experts say one in 150 U.S. children have some form of autism. Pediatrician awareness and early testing might make parents who know from autism feel less responsible for diagnosing others.

Mizrahi to Design Limited-Edition Teletubbies Handbags

Patti — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 11:34:00 GMT

If you heard a loud and kind of squishy sound just now, that was my head exploding. My love for fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi collided with my loathing of the chubby plushies known as the Teletubbies when I learned that Mizrahi will be designing five Tubbie-themed purses in celebration of their tenth anniversary (has it been that long? It seems longer).

Mizrahi is only one of the big guns that Ragdoll Entertainment is packing in anticipation of a huge relaunch of the Teletubbies brand: they've also got apparel lines in the works to be aimed at tweens, teens, and young adults (dear God in heaven, please tell me this doesn't mean that people are going to start throwing raves again).

The Mizrahi bags will be auctioned off to benefit Cure Autism Now and Autism Speaks. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go curl up with my Isaac For Target cashmere sweater and my clearance-rack-at-Saks Isaac driving shoes and watch Unzipped until my head feels better.