Autism documentary wins AP award


Posted by Norma Rossi on April 21st, 2008

Celebrate! An autism documentary that Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington helped put together just won a big award! The Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association named Autism Epidemic best documentary of the year at an award ceremony in Springfield this past Saturday.

Autism Epidemic first aired in August 2007 to spread awareness of autism and to get more children screened at an …Read More » »

Diagnosing autism before age 3


Posted by Matt McAlear on April 8th, 2008

Lisa Tate’s recent blog wondered about the myth that children can’t be diagnosed with autism before age three. In the past, doctors were hesitant to diagnose autism in children less than 2 years of age, mostly because of the relatively limited amount of research showing stability of such early diagnoses. Doctors were more likely to provide a Pervasive …Read More » »

Increase autism awareness: Act for Autism


Posted by Beth Finke on April 2nd, 2008

Easter Seals is taking advantage of Autism Awareness Month to make sure people are aware that … autism is treatable. Seems like such a simple concept, doesn’t it? But it’s surprising how many people are, well … unaware.

It’s true: autism is treatable! Just ask my friend Barbara Gaither. You might recognize Barbara’s name — she’s posted a few blogs here …Read More » »

Get the word out — it’s Autism Awareness Month


Posted by Patricia Wright on April 1st, 2008

Autism Awareness Month begins today, so start looking (and listening!) for Easter Seals on TV, on radio and in the print media.

We’re committed to helping people understand that autism is treatable, early intervention improves outcomes, and funding is necessary for appropriate services and supports. These are the messages that I want to send through the media. And, lucky for …Read More » »

CNN noticed your autism stories


Posted by Beth Finke on March 31st, 2008

A huge thank you to all of you who read Lisa Tate’s blog last week and then contacted CNN. The network’s chief medical/health producer phoned Easter Seals Headquarters last week to tell us she’d been touched by several of your autism stories.

CNN plans to continue covering autism far beyond this Wednesday (when CNN Medical News will devote …Read More » »

Working with undiagnosed autism


Posted by Debbie Smith on March 28th, 2008

The media does a fantastic job on reporting the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment of autism, but the needs of older individuals have to be addressed too.

I’ve been working with individuals with disabilities for many years. About 10 years ago we had a huge increase of children being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder …Read More » »

Governor awarded for autism advocacy


Posted by Bob Glowacki on March 26th, 2008

Well, we had plenty of excitement yesterday with a visit from Jim Doyle — he’s the governor of Wisconsin. He came to our adult day services center in Wauwatosa to receive the National Easter Seals Outstanding Advocate of the Year award. Governor Doyle received the award for his work towards improving access to services and his support in …Read More » »

Marlee Matlin: Dancing with a disability


Posted by Beth Finke on March 18th, 2008

If you missed Dancing with the Stars last night, you missed Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin’s debut as one of the contestants. We at Easter Seals were especially interested in Matlin’s moves on the dance floor — she is an Easter Seals Honorary Board Member!

Last night wasn’t Matlin’s first time on a reality TV show, though. She recently appeared …Read More » »

New NY governor shows how “All Kids Can”


Posted by Beth Finke on March 17th, 2008

I was lucky enough to be on Long Island last week when they made the announcement about New York’s new governor. I’d flown to New York by myself – well, with my Seeing Eye dog — to visit elementary schools there. The idea was to promote my children’s book and teach the kids how Seeing Eye dogs work.

In the end, …Read More » »

Health insurance for people with autism


Posted by Bob Glowacki on March 11th, 2008

Most states do not require private insurance companies to cover even essential autism treatments and services. Nationwide, few private insurance companies or other employee benefit plans cover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other behavioral therapies. In fact, many insurance companies designate autism as a diagnostic exclusion, meaning that no autism-specific services are covered.

There are 16 states that …Read More » »