ABA Therapy Coverage Campaign

More than 20 Northern Virginia federal employee families have launched an effort to have their insurance providers cover Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy for their autistic children. Their objective is to have the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which currently has no policies on autism treatment, to develop guidelines that would require insurance companies within the federal health benefits system to extend coverage of ABA therapy to their enrollees. They also hope that their initiative will benefit families in the military and the private sector. Your support of this initiative is crucial as it might help establish a general benchmark in the treatment of autism. Please have your lawmakers call on OPM to make ABA therapy coverage part of federal health benefits policy. Here is a sample letter.

About Autism Law.com

The information contained in this site is provided by special education attorney, Dave Sherman and the law firm of Sherman & Ziegler. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Combating Autism Act of 2005

Autism Community Unites to Urge Congress to Expand Autism Research and Funding

EdLaw - Individuals With Disabilities Act

http://www.edlaw.net/service/ideacont.html

New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, originally sanctioned as  the New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council, is authorized by the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and New Jersey state law to promote systems change, coordinate advocacy and research for 1.2 million residents with developmental and other disabilities. The Council is a public body that serves as a watchdog agency. It serves in an advisory role to the Governor and the State Legislature. It provides training to build the capacity of individuals and groups to influence social policy. The Council's goal is to help people with disabilities and their families improve their lives.

New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, originally sanctioned as  the New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council, is authorized by the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and New Jersey state law to promote systems change, coordinate advocacy and research for 1.2 million residents with developmental and other disabilities. The Council is a public body that serves as a watchdog agency. It serves in an advisory role to the Governor and the State Legislature. It provides training to build the capacity of individuals and groups to influence social policy. The Council's goal is to help people with disabilities and their families improve their lives.

NJ DOE – Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE)

New Jersey Administrative Code for special education (N.J.A.C. 6A:14) and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are laws that ensure children with disabilities a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. An important part of these laws provides parents with the right to participate in their children’s education. You and representatives of your school district are team members who are responsible for developing an appropriate educational program for your child. This document will describe the state and federal laws affecting the provision of special education to help you understand your rights in the special education process.

NJ DOE – Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE)

New Jersey Administrative Code for special education (N.J.A.C. 6A:14) and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are laws that ensure children with disabilities a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. An important part of these laws provides parents with the right to participate in their children’s education. You and representatives of your school district are team members who are responsible for developing an appropriate educational program for your child. This document will describe the state and federal laws affecting the provision of special education to help you understand your rights in the special education process.

NJ Early Intervention System

The mission of the New Jersey Early Intervention System is to enhance the capacity of families to meet the developmental and health-related needs of children birth to age three who have delays or disabilities by providing quality services and support to families and their children. Families from diverse racial, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds will be involved in decision-making at every level of the design, implementation and evaluation of the Early Intervention System.

Reed Martin – Special Education Advocacy Strategies

Educational resource where parents, advocates, attorneys and school personnel come for accurate up-to-date information & strategies to secure rights of children with disabilities!

The ARC of NJ

The Arc of New Jersey is a statewide, private, nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1947 by a group of parents who had a vision of building a better quality of life for people with mental retardation and their families.

US DOE – No Child Left Behind

President Bush emphasized his deep belief in our public schools, but an even greater concern that "too many of our neediest children are being left behind," despite the nearly $200 billion in Federal spending since the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The President called for bipartisan solutions based on accountability, choice, and flexibility in Federal education programs.

US DOE – Office of Special Education

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorizes formula grants to states, and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

White House – Executive Order

Community-based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities

Wrightslaw

Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. You will find articles, cases, newsletters, and resources about dozens of topics in the Advocacy Libraries and Law Libraries.