The Autism Society is proud to be active supporters of House Bill 3276
April 12, 2013
By Autism SocietyEarlier this week, Autism Society President and CEO, Scott Badesch, travelled to Austin, Texas to testify before the Texas House of Representatives. Mr. Badesch testified in support of House Bill 3276, which will provide insurance coverage for autism screening at 18 and 24 months and remove the age restrictions currently in place for autism coverage.
HB 3276, introduced by Autism Society Board Vice Chairman, Congressman Ron Simmons, aims to remove barriers and improve access to autism screening and services.
Mr. Badesch remarked following his testimony; “This bill represents an important step in removing barriers for those potentially affected by autism. As we know, early screening, diagnosis, and access to appropriate services is vital for individuals to achieve the highest quality of life. We at the Autism Society are proud of our Board Member, Congressmen Simmons and leadership the role he has taken on this important issue and will do all we can to actively support the passage of HB 3276.”
Friday, 19 April 2013
Autism Society - The Autism Society is proud to be active supporters of House Bill 3276
Autism Society - A Message from the Autism Society President and CEO
A Message from the Autism Society President and CEO
April 19, 2013
By Scott BadeschAs Congress and President Obama begin discussions on the development and actions on Fiscal Year 13/14 federal budget, we will certainly hear the concerns voiced by many that there is just no money available to do what everyone wants the federal government to do. The same concerns are heard at the state and local government level. Certainly, that is true, but I often wonder how our government entities establish priorities for support when it comes to helping those in need.
Many of us will suggest that the government must determine the value of helping people in need as its highest priority. Others will argue that money spent today will save money in the future; these are all good and needed government discussions. But the reality is that how government defines priorities certainly doesn’t always relate to rational processes of budgeting and decision making. For example, we always find government money for airport expansions, so that planes can fly in and out of a city on time with little wait to take off or land. But, we can never seem to find money for helping people who are on waiting list as long as eight or more years for services. Does the government prioritize individuals’ times on the plane before an individual with developmental disability who waits several years for services ?
We always justify giving tax breaks to build sports stadiums and bring businesses into a community, based on an argument that in the long term more tax dollars will be earned as a result of the investment. But, we know that is often not true. What we do know is that if we use government dollars to invest in early treatment options for people living with autism, money is not only saved in the long run, but people are helped. Despite these facts of reality, government always finds money to invest in sports stadiums and business development, but rarely in young children living with autism.
So, how can we change this type of thinking? Some will argue we have to become more involved in the political process. Some will argue that the voices of the many are often drawn out by the voice of the few who are powerful and influential. That all is often true. But, the reality of the autism community is that we often are our own worst enemies.
I spend a good amount of time meeting with staff and elected officials in Congress and working with the President’s staff who are all good and caring people. But, in almost every visit I make to advocate for an action by government, the person I meet with will ask how the position we advocate for relates to an almost totally opposite position sought by another autism groups. One group advocates exclusively for research funds, another exclusively for more to address concerns regarding vaccines, some only advocate for funding for services for children, some advocate only for funding for services for adult’s, some restrict their advocacy and argue for greater civil rights enforcement and self-advocates rightfully advocate for inclusion of their important and needed voice. All this is good, but sooner or later we have to ask why the Autism Community can’t define priorities that we all promote and then use the volunteers and supporters we have to advocate those positions to their elected officials. We can and should do that, but I often find it to be difficult, if sometimes not an impossible task. Our passion for what we want is so strong. We just need to make sure that passion is best used to get what is needed.
For me, we must assure that the voice of those who have an autism diagnosis are heard and valued at the highest level. I believe that is what occurs within the Autism Society system. I also can’t understand how we can ask people to wait eight or more years for needed services at the expense of any other advocacy position. Research is so important but when funds are limited, we have to determine the needed balance of service funding with research. We have to stop spending money on funding incidence rates, when we don’t have the funds to help “one” of the 1 in 88 or 1 in 50, whichever incidence rate finding you support.
What we all want is needed. We need more research, we need to settle the concerns regarding vaccines and we definitely need help for children, families and adults affected by autism. I would suggest now is the time to have that occur, because as long as that doesn’t occur, we won’t have the needed funds for research, needed funds for services, we will continue to have people waiting several years for services and questions will remain on the cause of autism.
We can and now must do what is needed to get our collective voices heard and not lost in the national, state and local discussion. Visit your local or state Autism Society and become a member. Get involved, there is no better way to care and help address these issues than thru the Autism Society.
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
A Letter to my Former Therapist by ELyssa Durant, Ed.M. || New York Voice © 2007-2013
A Letter To My Former Therapist
Elyssa D. Durant, Ed.M.« Article 1 of 29 »
Hi Elyssa,It's nice to hear from you, I had just been thinking of you. Is there a reason why you sent me two copies? Talk to you soon—Elyssa's Former Therapist
Now how can you call yourself a qualified therapist and ask me such a stupid question? I have at least two of everything!
So my alter-ego as a "cyberwhore" is no longer a secret! I always send duplicate copies of every outgoing e-mail to myself to a number of free-mail accounts. Most have probably expired and I can't even remember most of the passwords to access them, which leads me to wonder what happens to my written works that I have so carefully created? Do they just float around in cyberspace forever? Are my words now immortal? Does that make me grandiose or paranoid?
I had my first appointment with my new psychiatrist on Wednesday and he seems very "eager" to help. He is a very young resident, and I think he is kind of psyched that he got placed at Vanderbilt in Nashville rather than some community mental health center in rural Tennessee. For his training, he needs a number of hours conducting therapy—so I graciously agreed to be one of his guinea pigs. I negotiated a one-hour session every other week.
I hate therapy. It seems so staged and rehearsed. I actually spend hours before a session trying to think of what I should say.
That never seemed to work with you. That kind of annoyed me, because I wanted you to play the game with me. This is the way it is supposed to work: I'll tell you what happened as a child, and you tell me the source of my insanity.
I would try to remember the random things that happen each day and let you know that I was telling you the truth about my life, my world, and my family. On many occasions, I would forget my zinger, my "punch-line" if you will, and I would be so disappointed in myself. I would drop these little tidbits of information hoping you would recognize that I was not completely beyond help, and you might understand the method to my madness. Would that make it okay to be so fucked up? Loony. Crazy. Nuts.
You never once said, "Aha!" Instead, you would listen impatiently as I reflected on childhood traumas. Even the most elaborate reports of my childhood experience did not make you flinch—well, maybe a few times! At what point did you realize that there was some truth in what I was telling you? I would say the same thing over and over because I knew it to be true, to be fact, to be far more cruel and evil than anything I could I make believe as a child. I want to stop playing those games. I am ready to be a person. I am ready to love. I am ready to be "normal."
As I grow, I would like to become more direct, more assertive, and more sure of what I am saying and how it is being received. In the past, I would sit with silence and ambivalence and just fall into situations by default. I don't want complacency to guide me through life. I am not incapable of protecting myself anymore. I hated being such a passive participant in my own life not knowing where I would be living, with whom, and for how long. Learned helplessness. I wonder how things might have been different...if only.
I will never know how events shaped my life and broke my mind. What caused my mind to break? Was I too weak? Was there some point where I should have thrown in the towel and taken my own life? Was there anything, anything I could have done differently to survive? Is there a "normal" breaking point? Did I put up a good fight? Did I do okay?
I want to act with purpose, speak with conviction, and be confident in my decisions. I want to choose action rather than inaction and feel comfortable with the choices I have made. No more ruminating over what I should have, might have, or almost done.
How did you manage to put my mind back together again without knowing what went wrong? Is my head okay? Can I have children?
You were a good therapist, you are a great therapist-- the best!
Monday, 18 February 2013
Trapped by Elyssa Durant, Ed.M.
Trapped
Have you ever been trapped?
I am not talking about your every day run-of-the-mill subway congestion or an elevator that is filled beyond capacity.
Trapped.
No way out.
Paralyzed.
Frightened, frustrated, angry and desperate.
Like any ordinary "normal" person, you are going about your daily activities and the next moment you are drowning in unfamiliarity. In reality, little has changed. Sadly, nothing has changed. Minutes, hours, years have passed... but nothing has changed.
Despite evidence to the contrary, your actions seem to have no consequence.
This is how I feel. Not as often as I used to, but more often than I care to admit and more often then I would like. It leaves me paralyzed-- much like a deer frozen by the illuminating light of oncoming traffic.
It is a short journey from the trigger back to the beginning.
I wonder what I may do if my task was completed. It is my greatest hope to find a place where I can end this debilitating madness. Just break the cycle. Free. Free from the need to provide objective verification of my physical existence and a rational basis for a seemingly bizarre obsession.
I know these things. I organize my life in a sequential, numerical, historical, logical order where everything has a designated beginning, middle and end.
There must be a place where reason and purpose replace obsessions and insanity.
Can anyone understand this madness? Why can't you see how simple everything is for me?
I need things to be simple.
My patterns seem so obvious. Pay attention! What seems like chaos to you serves as my salvation. Don't you see how resourceful I am? I know my methods are rigid but they are clearly consistent with my "mission" in life.
Few can be bothered with the elegant simplicity of my rituals. My behaviors are rational! They protect my delicate foundation. I do not have far to fall.
I need an out!
Why question my methods?
By collecting physical evidence of my experiences and transient existence, I can be someone. Someone with a past, a present, maybe even a future.
I collect, therefore I am.
Look! I have proof! History. References.
I want to be part of your world. Really I do.
I want roots, consistency and foundations. I want high school reunions and a hometown.
My task must be finished! It is destroying my relationship with my future self. My soul is withering away beneath this desperate facade.
Please give me a moments consideration and see me.
I am not cruel. I am not evil. Nevertheless, I am so alone and isolated. I am here and I am ready. I am ready to end this endless search for home. But how?
I need you. I need you to help me find a place where I can feel comfortable ending this vicious cycle.
I am looking to you... the collective you of humanity to help me through this time of need and uncertainty.
All I seek is compassion, empathy, and understanding. I continue my search hoping I am not completely alone in my quest.
Restoring order dominates my very existence. Keeping me trapped in the past; invading the present; dictating my actions through repetition, ruminations, anxiety and fear inhibiting my growth and progress. I do not have it in me to climb out of another depression.
Don't you see how this life is breaking me?
If only I had the same resignation and grace of that lone Buck crossing a quiet country road, I would cherish the instant where I am faced with certain death or total salvation. I would search for a sanctuary where forgiveness replaces damnation.
For one instant, I would welcome the challenge to live freely in this brave new world... to explore and run free on a distant, winding path.
I would stand proud, defiant, and free.
Really, truly, trapped.
Elyssa Durant, Ed.M. © 2002