News for Behavior Analysts
- New definition of autism will exclude many, study suggests
Proposed changes in the definition of autism would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and might make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services, a new analysis suggests.… (full story) - Hear legal arguments on access to health care by children with autism
The National Appellate Advocacy Competition of the American Bar Association will be addressing age limits in autism insurance mandates. There is now a rare opportunity for you to hear local arguments regarding access to health care. … (full story) - Statement of the American Psychological Association on the DSM-5 Development Process
WASHINGTON—Diagnostic classification systems of disorders and diseases are an integral part of health care delivery. Any such system, including the upcoming 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association and the pending revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) of the World Health Organization, must be based on the best available science and serve the public interest.
… (full story) - Autism insurance help faces delay in Va.
Hundreds of families across Virginia who had counted on mandated insurance coverage for their autistic children next month may have to wait untold months more for help.
… (full story) - One of the APBA's Founders has Died
The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts is deeply saddened to report that Dr. Jerry Shook, founder and CEO of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and a founding Director of APBA, succumbed to cancer on November 11, 2011. Dr. Shook’s founding of the BACB was perhaps the most significant development in the recent history of applied behavior analysis, affecting the lives of thousands of practitioners and those they serve. APBA will dedicate its 2012 convention (April 12-14 in Tampa, FL) to Dr. Shook's memory, and will hold a special event at the convention to commemorate his impressive career and outstanding contributions to our field.
- Marine wife hopes to see regulation that impedes number of behavior analysts removed
Marine Col. Ted Anders is deployed to Afghanistan. While he is away, his wife is on a mission of her own.
Donna Anders’ mission is to convince the North Carolina General Assembly… (full story)
- UPDATE: Board of Psychologists Withdraws Autism Rule Change
The state Board of Examiners of Psychologists has voted to rescind a controversial emergency order requiring applied behavior analysts to be under direct supervision of a licensed psychologist.… (full story)
- Siblings Face High Recurrence Risk for Autism
One month before William and Carissa Hawn's second son was born, their first son, Logan, then 3, was diagnosed with autism.
"Logan was our first experience with autism," said William Hawn, 34, of Modesto, Calif.
But when their second son, Aaron, was born, his pediatrician told the Hawns there was a 10 percent chance that he too would develop autism.… (full story)
- Time Runs Out For School Restraint, Seclusion Bill
Efforts to establish federal limits on the use of restraint and seclusion in the nation’s schools appear to be dead, at least for now, disability advocates are acknowledging.
In a meeting last week, Senate staffers who worked on legislation designed to curb the use of restraint and seclusion told… (full story)
- In Memoriam: Howard N. Sloane
Judith Crandall-Sloane and Gina Green
Howard N. Sloane, Professor Emeritus of the University of Utah and former Executive Director of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, died October 2 at the age of 78.… (full story)
- Groundbreaking: ABA Center Construction Underway
As Ken and Sharon Reeve walk around the lower level of Caldwell College's Mother Joseph Residence Hall, they see the piles of debris and unfinished construction but also the steel framework that will soon be the foundation for the 5,000-square-foot … (full story)
- World Renowned Pioneer of Autism Treatment Dies at 83
O. Ivar Lovaas, a distinguished professor of psychology at UCLA, a pioneer in the research and development of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to treat children with autism, and the founder of the Lovaas Institute, died on August 2nd at age 83… (full story)
- APBA on National Public Radio
APBA was mentioned in a recent story by Connecticut Public Radio reporter Craig Lemoult regarding a woman who fabricated her credentials in behavior analysis, and the resulting new CT law requiring … (full story) - Blue Cross to Pay $125,000 in Ground-Breaking Settlement for Autism Care
DETROIT, June 2, 2010 — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has again been compelled by a lawsuit to pay claims for autism spectrum disorder treatment known as Applied Behavior Analysis, or "ABA."… (full story)
- New Zealand Ministries Publish Evidence-Based Guidelines on
ABA Interventions for ASD
The New Zealand Ministries of Health and Education recently published a thorough review of research on applied behavior analysis interventions for autism spectrum disorders that was conducted by a team of behavior analysts.
… (full story) - Missouri State Legislature Passes Autism Insurance Reform Legislation
Autism Speaks joined Missouri families, the Missouri Autism Coalition, and other autism organizations today in applauding the members of the State Legislature for their passage of House Bill 1311, which requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies, including behavioral health treatment such as applied behavior analysis. The bill now heads to the Governor Nixon’s desk to be signed into law.… (full story) - CT Woman Arrested; Faked BCBA and Other Credentials
The Putnam County Sheriff's DepartmentD worked with detectives from Norwalk, Conn. and arrested Carmel resident Stacy Lore, 33, at her home last Sunday. Lore, who operated Spectrum Kids, LLC, stands accused of fabricating professional credentials… (full story) - New Rules Promise Better Mental Health Coverage
The Obama administration issued new rules on Friday that promise to improve insurance coverage of mental health care for more than 140 million people insured through their jobs.
Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, said the new rules guard against "needless or arbitrary limits."
… (full story) - Autism treatments: Risky alternative therapies have little basis in
science
A Chicago Tribune "watchdog" investigation uncovers widespread uncontrolled experimentation with children with autism… (full story) - Autism treatments: Science hijacked to support alternative therapies
Part 2 of the Chicago Tribune investigative report finds scientific research being misconstrued… (full story) - Ruling deals a blow to denials of autism treatment
Refusing to cover a costly behavioral therapy because the care provider lacks a state license violates California law, a Los Angeles County judge finds.… (full story) - APBA Sponsor, Affiliate Oppose MA Legislation Promoting Bogus Technique
By Gina Green, APBA Executive Director
The New England Center for Children (NECC), an APBA sponsor, and APBA Affiliate The Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis & Therapy (BABAT) are working to revise a bill in Massachusetts that would encourage teachers to use Facilitated Communication (FC)....… (full story)
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