Welcome to USAAA WeeklyNews, an email newsletter that addresses a range of topics on Autism Spectrum Disorders including Asperger's Syndrome.

USAAA Conference Recap

It was amazing to meet with conference attendees this past weekend at the sixth Annual USAAA World Conference in Seattle, Washington. The sixth annual US Autism & Asperger Association World Conference brought together parents, professionals, individuals on the autism spectrum, and others from 36 states and seven countries including Norway, Canada, Australia, Austria, Nigeria and Saipan. The 4-day conference addressed a wide variety of topics with every session providing the opportunity for everyone to take home ideas to improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Thanks to all of our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and all of the attendees for participating in the 2011 annual conference. This conference would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our sponsors and exhibitors, including Bronze level sponsors, The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc., New Beginnings Nutritionals, and Oxy Health Corporation. And a special thanks to the Autism Society of Washington. Other organizations in the state of Washington that supported this conference were the Seattle Public Schools, The University of Washington Speech & Hearing Sciences Department, The University of Washington Disability Resources for Students, Washington State Fathers Network, and The National Association of Social Workers - Washington State Chapter.

US Autism & Asperger Association is here to help individuals and families with autism spectrum disorders. By utilizing our team of educators, health care practitioners, parents, and individuals with autism spectrum disorders, you will be armed with tools, support and empowerment to help you on your journey. Never give up! You are not alone. US Autism & Asperger Association is dedicated to Improving Lives, Together through Education, Research, Support and Solutions. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Blogger, YouTube, USAAA TV, and USAAA WeeklyNews email newsletter.

USAAA will introduce a more expanded format next year. Stay tuned for additional information in early January.

Three cities being considered for the location of the seventh annual conference are Salt Lake City, Denver, and Kansas City. If you are associated with an autism organization in one of these areas, please contact us immediately as we will be selecting the host city by the end of this year.

Larry Kaplan

FULL STORY

One Determined Dad wins fight for Autism
Insurance Reform in New York

Life ain't fair. All parents of a child with autism know that. But every once in awhile the karmic wheel turns, justice prevails and we get a brief glimmer that human beings are capable of hearing our own best angels and doing the right thing. And we got a bit of that yesterday when, Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of New York, signed a bill that will significantly expand health insurance coverage for people with autism in New York. This bill isn't perfect, but it's a good thing, and is the most we probably could have gotten out of the pay-to-play cesspool of Albany politics. And it has been a longtime coming. Almost 8 years.

But this article isn’t so much about politics, but the power of one father’s love for his son to move him to do extraordinary things, and through one individual’s sheer unstoppable resolve motivate thousands of people to lift themselves to a higher level and make the right thing happen. Because without the tireless determination of one determined dad, Michael Smith, to assure that his son Alexander was treated fairly by his health insurance company, this bill in New York never would have happened.
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Related Story

What About the Siblings? – 6 Tips from Siblings of People with Autism

By ERIC PEACOCK
myautismteam.com

This past Sunday morning I was in Seattle at the US Autism & Asperger Association Conference and fortunate enough to catch a panel on “Siblings of People with Autism.” The Panel had five young, neuro-typical men and women ranging in age from 14 to 27, each of whom have siblings on the autism spectrum. I was impressed by the poise, sense of humor, courage and wisdom of this panel and just wanted to pass on a few pointers for parent that I took away from the panel. Open up a channel of communication with your neuro-typical child - All 5 panelists understand that their parents need to spend more time with their sibling on the spectrum, and don’t really seem to resent that fact.They just want to occasionally be asked how they feel about all of it. And it’s not really a time for you to talk. “Don’t feel you have to lecture or provider more answers...just listen.” Just asking about it let’s the child know it’s ok for them to talk and even voice complaints about their situation or feelings.

Talk about bullying - It’s a typical sibling instinct (for both girls and boys) to jump into the thick of things to defend their sibling on the spectrum from bullying. So they’ll do it, but often it’s a scary or uncomfortable feeling. Sometimes just a word from you like, “If you see your brother being bullied at school, find a teacher and tell them about it” - will remind them they don’t have to take on all that responsibility by themselves. At a minimum, they may pause to notify someone to get help before they step in. For other tips on how to proactively prevent bullying please check out “IEPs, IPads and Bullies – 10 Tips from a Dad Who Has Been There”

FULL STORY

To order a download of the Sibling Panel and all conference sessions, go to www.usautism.org/tv

USAAA Conference Presentation Downloads

Special Offer

If you missed the US Autism & Asperger Conference, now through November 11, buy any two individual video or audio downloads and get one free.

Simply purchase two out of three downloads you want at www.usautism.org/tv and CLICK HERE to select your free downloads. We will credit the free download to your account within 24 hours.

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Upcoming Conference

• 2012 USAAA World Conference - Date and Location TBD