Saturday, February 13, 2010
Link to MSNBC interview with Temple Grandin
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35150832/ns/health-mental_health/ns/health-mental_health/
Link to AP article on responses to DSM-5
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35348917/ns/health-mental_health/
Friday, January 15, 2010
Class Action Suit Against Eastern LA Regional Center (ELARC)
SOURCE: YAHOO NEWS
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, attorneys with Public Counsel and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP filed a class action law suit and preliminary injunction on behalf of children with autism against the Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (ELARC) for unlawfully terminating the most effective treatment for their condition. ELARC, a nonprofit agency through which the state provides statutorily-required services to people with disabilities, suddenly and illegally eliminated funding for the treatment, known as "DIR," after more than 10 years of providing it to hundreds, if not thousands, of mostly low-income children with autism.
Autism, a severe neurological disorder, is the fastest-growing developmental disability in California and the nation; today, 1 in 110 children born in the United States have some form of autism. The "DIR" or Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based treatment, as ELARC has long acknowledged, provides the children in the lawsuit with the only effective means by which they may grow into or continue to be healthy and functioning members of society.
"DIR treatment is what stands between these children and a life of dependence," said Laura Faer, the Directing Attorney of Public Counsel's Children's Rights Project. "At an economic low point for California, this agency could not have made a poorer choice for these children or for the state's finances. DIR is cost-effective, changes lives, and prevents state-funded hospitalization and institutionalization."
For twelve-year-old Benito R., DIR is the only treatment that has worked to control his violent, aggressive behavior.
"DIR treatment is making a huge difference," said Benito's mother, a low-income single mom who works full time. "Without this help, I would never be able to take Benito out into the world, even to do simple things like grocery shopping for fear of what might happen. I'm worried that he will revert back to the way he was, aggressive, dangerous and unable to interact even with me."
Like the other class members, Benito is entitled to these services under California's Lanterman Act, which was enacted to prevent the institutionalization of developmentally disabled persons. In particular, the Act prohibits the unilateral termination of authorized and necessary services.
"Raising a child with autism on a limited income is hard enough," said Brian Capra, Staff Attorney at Public Counsel. "ELARC has broken the law meant to protect those families and children and done so in a way that leaves them without options. It's inexplicable and wrong."
ELARC's termination of DIR is based on a misapplication of the so-called "Trailer Bill," which was passed by the California legislature last July, and prohibits Regional Centers like ELARC from, among other things, funding "experimental treatments."
"Far from being 'experimental,' DIR has successfully treated thousands of children with autism in 33 states and in countries throughout the world," said John Sharer of the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. "Over the past 20 years, it has substantially improved the quality of their lives and has transformed many of these children into fully-functioning, well-adjusted members of society."
ELARC is also the only regional center, out of seven in Los Angeles County, to have misinterpreted the new legislation in this way. Â Attorneys for the case have learned that DIR programs are still being provided to children at the other Regional Centers in LA County and throughout California.
"ELARC's actions have no basis in law, and they will cause irreparable and irreversible harm to these children," said Katie Marquart, attorney with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. "These children already face tremendous daily struggles. ELARC's action will unnecessarily result in devastating consequences for their psychological, emotional and physical well-being. It is for these reasons that today we ask the Court to immediately enjoin ELARC and stop it from eliminating this vital program."
About Public Counsel -
Public Counsel is the largest pro bono public interest law firm in the world. Founded in 1970, Public Counsel is dedicated to advancing equal justice under law by delivering free legal and social services to the most vulnerable members of our community, including abused and abandoned children, homeless families and veterans, senior citizens, victims of consumer fraud and nonprofit organizations serving low-income communities.
About Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR) –
The DIR treatment plan for autism focuses on the individual differences among children with autism, including understanding the child's emotional, social, behavioral, and intellectual level; individual differences in motor, sensory and language functioning and the child and family functioning and interaction patterns. It places a premium on forging a close bond between the parent and the child and the clinician and the child.
SOURCE Public Counsel
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, attorneys with Public Counsel and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP filed a class action law suit and preliminary injunction on behalf of children with autism against the Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (ELARC) for unlawfully terminating the most effective treatment for their condition. ELARC, a nonprofit agency through which the state provides statutorily-required services to people with disabilities, suddenly and illegally eliminated funding for the treatment, known as "DIR," after more than 10 years of providing it to hundreds, if not thousands, of mostly low-income children with autism.
Autism, a severe neurological disorder, is the fastest-growing developmental disability in California and the nation; today, 1 in 110 children born in the United States have some form of autism. The "DIR" or Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based treatment, as ELARC has long acknowledged, provides the children in the lawsuit with the only effective means by which they may grow into or continue to be healthy and functioning members of society.
"DIR treatment is what stands between these children and a life of dependence," said Laura Faer, the Directing Attorney of Public Counsel's Children's Rights Project. "At an economic low point for California, this agency could not have made a poorer choice for these children or for the state's finances. DIR is cost-effective, changes lives, and prevents state-funded hospitalization and institutionalization."
For twelve-year-old Benito R., DIR is the only treatment that has worked to control his violent, aggressive behavior.
"DIR treatment is making a huge difference," said Benito's mother, a low-income single mom who works full time. "Without this help, I would never be able to take Benito out into the world, even to do simple things like grocery shopping for fear of what might happen. I'm worried that he will revert back to the way he was, aggressive, dangerous and unable to interact even with me."
Like the other class members, Benito is entitled to these services under California's Lanterman Act, which was enacted to prevent the institutionalization of developmentally disabled persons. In particular, the Act prohibits the unilateral termination of authorized and necessary services.
"Raising a child with autism on a limited income is hard enough," said Brian Capra, Staff Attorney at Public Counsel. "ELARC has broken the law meant to protect those families and children and done so in a way that leaves them without options. It's inexplicable and wrong."
ELARC's termination of DIR is based on a misapplication of the so-called "Trailer Bill," which was passed by the California legislature last July, and prohibits Regional Centers like ELARC from, among other things, funding "experimental treatments."
"Far from being 'experimental,' DIR has successfully treated thousands of children with autism in 33 states and in countries throughout the world," said John Sharer of the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. "Over the past 20 years, it has substantially improved the quality of their lives and has transformed many of these children into fully-functioning, well-adjusted members of society."
ELARC is also the only regional center, out of seven in Los Angeles County, to have misinterpreted the new legislation in this way. Â Attorneys for the case have learned that DIR programs are still being provided to children at the other Regional Centers in LA County and throughout California.
"ELARC's actions have no basis in law, and they will cause irreparable and irreversible harm to these children," said Katie Marquart, attorney with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. "These children already face tremendous daily struggles. ELARC's action will unnecessarily result in devastating consequences for their psychological, emotional and physical well-being. It is for these reasons that today we ask the Court to immediately enjoin ELARC and stop it from eliminating this vital program."
About Public Counsel -
Public Counsel is the largest pro bono public interest law firm in the world. Founded in 1970, Public Counsel is dedicated to advancing equal justice under law by delivering free legal and social services to the most vulnerable members of our community, including abused and abandoned children, homeless families and veterans, senior citizens, victims of consumer fraud and nonprofit organizations serving low-income communities.
About Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR) –
The DIR treatment plan for autism focuses on the individual differences among children with autism, including understanding the child's emotional, social, behavioral, and intellectual level; individual differences in motor, sensory and language functioning and the child and family functioning and interaction patterns. It places a premium on forging a close bond between the parent and the child and the clinician and the child.
SOURCE Public Counsel
Friday, December 18, 2009
Prevalence Graph from Autism Speaks
Link to a new prevalence graph on the Autism Speaks website.
http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/Prevalence_Graph_12_18_2009.pdf
http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/Prevalence_Graph_12_18_2009.pdf
Monday, November 30, 2009
Editorial on Autism Speaks
An editorial I received today from a colleague. Original source is Autismlink.
-----Original Message-----
From: AutismLink
To: redacted
Sent: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 3:28 pm
Subject: Editorial: Autism Speaks. Its a Living.
Autism Speaks. It’s a Living.
Autism Speaks recently announced on their website that due to the
poor economy they have to “postpone” grant making and giving for
2009. Yes, this charity that hauled in a reported $68 million in funds
last year has fallen on hard times. Sad, really, on the surface. But
dig deeper. I ask you to consider the following information, taken
straight from this organization’s IRS 990 form on their own website:
Geraldine Dawson, Chief Science Officer – Salary: $669,751
Mark Roithmayer, President – Salary: $400,413
Peter Bell, Executive Vice President – Salary: $265,981
Glenn Tringali, Executive Vice President – Salary: $255,256
Alison Tepper Singer, Executive Vice President – Salary: $201,942
Amount Spent on Travel: $2,873,667
Credit Card and Banking Fees: $989,344
Premiums: $1,452,807
Management Fees: $2,038,024
Advertising and Promotion: $2,108,778
Temporary Help: $718,686
Income: $65,826,829
GRANTS PAID OUT: $27,593,390
Now I ask you, does this look like an organization that is suffering?
It looks, to me, to be an organization that cares more about highly
paid salaries, posh offices on #2 Park Avenue in New York, pricey
fundraisers and getting it’s name in the newspaper. They seem to
exist solely to pay salaries and throw parties.
But hey, they’ve fallen on hard times. So can someone please tell
me why the first thing to go is the grant making and giving -- the one
thing that they claim as their #1 mission? To give grants to find a
cure for autism? And don’t they seem a little top heavy to you? A
$700,000 salary?? Four Executive Vice Presidents?
Autism Speaks is gaining quite a reputation in the autism community.
The come into a town near you with their sweeping public relations
teams, hold their annual “walk for autism” dog and pony show,
sucking every last dollar out of the community, only to take it back
to those posh #2 Park Avenue offices. While it may seem like a noble
cause, the main result of Autism Speaks’ tactics is that LOCAL
organizations that actually HELP people in your very own community by
providing services and supports end up begging for funding. How long
are we, as an autism community, going to close our eyes to what’s
really going on here? The big corporate New York “show”
organization is going from town to town like an infestation of locusts
sucking out every last dollar that they can in order to pay 68% of its
income in salaries and overhead.
The average corporation or Joe on the street doesn’t have time or
inclination to investigate the charity. After all, they’re so well
known and have such a bevy of Hollywood stars behind them, they have
to be legitimate, right? Well, I’ll leave that for you to decide,
but I urge you to look at their official IRS 990 form, right on their
own page, and do a little bit of math. Maybe you will open your eyes
to reality, and take those walking shoes off, give to local
organizations, and tell Autism Speaks to walk off.
Many adults living with autism have done just that and have even gone
to the extreme of protesting their walks and events. Jerry Seinfeld,
one of their performers, was confronted by an adult with autism,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH2otGcEfYU
– in which he was completely blown off by the star. Their
controversial “I am autism” video controversy was even recently
covered by Time Magazine:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1935959,00.html
.
Dozens of websites and blogs from around the globe are condemning
Autism Speaks for their spending habits, their scare tactics and their
treatment of the “neurodiverse” community. Their Washington, DC,
New York, Ohio State University, and several other locations for the
annual autism walk have been picketed and protested by individuals
with autism as well.
Even when Autism Speaks was in its infancy, the co-founders of the
organization told their daughter publicly (the mother of the child
with autism who was the impetus for starting the charity) that she was
not allowed to speak for them in any capacity. The story ended up on
the front page of the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/18/us/18autism.html?pagewanted=print
With a history mired in controversy and upheaval, Autism Speaks has
been at the Center of debate in the autism community for quite some
time, but now even die hard AS supporters are starting to see the
light. I used to be one of those supporters.
Pittsburgh was the very first walk for autism in the country, and I
was involved from the get-go. I did their newsletters, coined the
whole “Walk Talk” concept, produced and edited videos for them,
and helped raise thousands of dollars for this organization over the
years. Luckily, someone opened MY eyes to the truth, and I stopped
supporting them and began trying to educate others on how they
actually spend their money.
And, hot off of their website from today:
Announcement of Budget Reductions for Continuation Years of Autism
Speaks Research Grants
In view of the serious challenges that the economy is facing, Autism
Speaks made the difficult decision to institute budget reductions of
15% for all grant payments in FY2009. This includes most of the grants
awarded in December 2008 as well continuation budgets for grants
originally awarded prior to December 2008. Thus, if your second- or
subsequent budget year commences in 2009, a 15% reduction will apply
and you will be asked to submit a modified budget for the remaining
years before the continuation award will be activated. Please note
that Pilot and Fellowship grants are not subject to this reduction.
These changes were instituted to continue funding as many research
projects as possible and we regret any difficulty that you may
encounter because of the reduced budget. "
I wonder if the staff took a 15% wage reduction? So does this mean
that projects that were already promised funding won’t be fully
funded? That this will result in layoffs and the research not being
completed? Sounds like it to me.
I urge everyone to please take the time to read the IRS 990. The
proof is in the pudding – right there in black and white for
everyone to see. Don’t be a kool aid drinker – educate yourself
and get the facts before you walk even one more step for this
organization.
Cindy Waeltermann
Director, AutismLink
More Information and Links:
http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-take-back-every-nice-thing-i-have.html
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/autism-autism-spectrum-article/local-chapter-of-autism-speaks-splits-from-autism-speaks/287832
http://www.autismspeaks.org/about_us.php
http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-sad-story-on-fathers-day-the-wright-family-feud/
http://neurodiversity.com/weblog/?c=Advocacy
-----Original Message-----
From: AutismLink
To: redacted
Sent: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 3:28 pm
Subject: Editorial: Autism Speaks. Its a Living.
Autism Speaks. It’s a Living.
Autism Speaks recently announced on their website that due to the
poor economy they have to “postpone” grant making and giving for
2009. Yes, this charity that hauled in a reported $68 million in funds
last year has fallen on hard times. Sad, really, on the surface. But
dig deeper. I ask you to consider the following information, taken
straight from this organization’s IRS 990 form on their own website:
Geraldine Dawson, Chief Science Officer – Salary: $669,751
Mark Roithmayer, President – Salary: $400,413
Peter Bell, Executive Vice President – Salary: $265,981
Glenn Tringali, Executive Vice President – Salary: $255,256
Alison Tepper Singer, Executive Vice President – Salary: $201,942
Amount Spent on Travel: $2,873,667
Credit Card and Banking Fees: $989,344
Premiums: $1,452,807
Management Fees: $2,038,024
Advertising and Promotion: $2,108,778
Temporary Help: $718,686
Income: $65,826,829
GRANTS PAID OUT: $27,593,390
Now I ask you, does this look like an organization that is suffering?
It looks, to me, to be an organization that cares more about highly
paid salaries, posh offices on #2 Park Avenue in New York, pricey
fundraisers and getting it’s name in the newspaper. They seem to
exist solely to pay salaries and throw parties.
But hey, they’ve fallen on hard times. So can someone please tell
me why the first thing to go is the grant making and giving -- the one
thing that they claim as their #1 mission? To give grants to find a
cure for autism? And don’t they seem a little top heavy to you? A
$700,000 salary?? Four Executive Vice Presidents?
Autism Speaks is gaining quite a reputation in the autism community.
The come into a town near you with their sweeping public relations
teams, hold their annual “walk for autism” dog and pony show,
sucking every last dollar out of the community, only to take it back
to those posh #2 Park Avenue offices. While it may seem like a noble
cause, the main result of Autism Speaks’ tactics is that LOCAL
organizations that actually HELP people in your very own community by
providing services and supports end up begging for funding. How long
are we, as an autism community, going to close our eyes to what’s
really going on here? The big corporate New York “show”
organization is going from town to town like an infestation of locusts
sucking out every last dollar that they can in order to pay 68% of its
income in salaries and overhead.
The average corporation or Joe on the street doesn’t have time or
inclination to investigate the charity. After all, they’re so well
known and have such a bevy of Hollywood stars behind them, they have
to be legitimate, right? Well, I’ll leave that for you to decide,
but I urge you to look at their official IRS 990 form, right on their
own page, and do a little bit of math. Maybe you will open your eyes
to reality, and take those walking shoes off, give to local
organizations, and tell Autism Speaks to walk off.
Many adults living with autism have done just that and have even gone
to the extreme of protesting their walks and events. Jerry Seinfeld,
one of their performers, was confronted by an adult with autism,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH2otGcEfYU
– in which he was completely blown off by the star. Their
controversial “I am autism” video controversy was even recently
covered by Time Magazine:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1935959,00.html
.
Dozens of websites and blogs from around the globe are condemning
Autism Speaks for their spending habits, their scare tactics and their
treatment of the “neurodiverse” community. Their Washington, DC,
New York, Ohio State University, and several other locations for the
annual autism walk have been picketed and protested by individuals
with autism as well.
Even when Autism Speaks was in its infancy, the co-founders of the
organization told their daughter publicly (the mother of the child
with autism who was the impetus for starting the charity) that she was
not allowed to speak for them in any capacity. The story ended up on
the front page of the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/18/us/18autism.html?pagewanted=print
With a history mired in controversy and upheaval, Autism Speaks has
been at the Center of debate in the autism community for quite some
time, but now even die hard AS supporters are starting to see the
light. I used to be one of those supporters.
Pittsburgh was the very first walk for autism in the country, and I
was involved from the get-go. I did their newsletters, coined the
whole “Walk Talk” concept, produced and edited videos for them,
and helped raise thousands of dollars for this organization over the
years. Luckily, someone opened MY eyes to the truth, and I stopped
supporting them and began trying to educate others on how they
actually spend their money.
And, hot off of their website from today:
Announcement of Budget Reductions for Continuation Years of Autism
Speaks Research Grants
In view of the serious challenges that the economy is facing, Autism
Speaks made the difficult decision to institute budget reductions of
15% for all grant payments in FY2009. This includes most of the grants
awarded in December 2008 as well continuation budgets for grants
originally awarded prior to December 2008. Thus, if your second- or
subsequent budget year commences in 2009, a 15% reduction will apply
and you will be asked to submit a modified budget for the remaining
years before the continuation award will be activated. Please note
that Pilot and Fellowship grants are not subject to this reduction.
These changes were instituted to continue funding as many research
projects as possible and we regret any difficulty that you may
encounter because of the reduced budget. "
I wonder if the staff took a 15% wage reduction? So does this mean
that projects that were already promised funding won’t be fully
funded? That this will result in layoffs and the research not being
completed? Sounds like it to me.
I urge everyone to please take the time to read the IRS 990. The
proof is in the pudding – right there in black and white for
everyone to see. Don’t be a kool aid drinker – educate yourself
and get the facts before you walk even one more step for this
organization.
Cindy Waeltermann
Director, AutismLink
More Information and Links:
http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-take-back-every-nice-thing-i-have.html
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/autism-autism-spectrum-article/local-chapter-of-autism-speaks-splits-from-autism-speaks/287832
http://www.autismspeaks.org/about_us.php
http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-sad-story-on-fathers-day-the-wright-family-feud/
http://neurodiversity.com/weblog/?c=Advocacy
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Per diem opening - ST or OT
We have an immediate opening for a per diem therapist 2-4 afternoons per week. Pediatric experience and CA license required.
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