Comments on: Wisconsin Autism Legislation Left “By the Wayside”

By: Daisy

Daisy — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:08:35 +0000

It’s sad than in a so-called progressive state like Wisconsin, the investment in early education services is still only beginning to scratch the surface of what’s needed.

By: DeafPulse.com - the one-stop pulse for all Deaf-related news and blogs.

DeafPulse.com - the one-stop pulse for all Deaf-related news and blogs. — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:23:34 +0000

[...] Minister Gordon Brown’s grilling by senior MPs on the Commons liaison committee. (45 clicks) Wisconsin Autism Legislation Left “By the Wayside”Ever felt like you’ve been caught between a … Have Hyperfunctioning Neuromediocrity – Will TravelSomeone under the handle “abfh” left and [...]

By: M Oakleaf

M Oakleaf — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:15:32 +0000

I live in Wisconsin, and my daughter has been on the waiting list for intensive services for a year now. We provide her the services we can, but in no way does it approach the level we’ll get once her number comes up (and if the level did approach what we’ll get in the intensive program, we’d pay a price for it, as was mentioned in the story).

In addition to autism, my daughter also has epilepsy. The services for that are covered by our insurance. It makes absolutely no sense to me that only one of her two neurological conditions is covered by insurance. And I am deeply disappointed that nothing was done in the last legislative session to correct that.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:49:40 +0000

@NueroticMamma,

And it’s also a shame that some states provide so much and some don’t, and that (within those states—as within New Jersey, where I live), there is tremendous variance from town to town. By moving 15 miles away to a different town, we were able to find the right kind of program for my son—-but it seems as if the states and towns should be able to see what each other is doing and learn about what might work and what does not.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:26:58 +0000

Here’s a report on the Arizona legislation on insurance.

By: NueroticMomma

NueroticMomma — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:46:57 +0000

I know how this mom in this story feels. I am from WI and I was told when I first noticed my son was changing to wait. I waited and waited but never quietly. Every check up and every trip because he was sick I brought it up but I was silenced. I finally had enough and took a stand and almost 4 months later I was told my son had Autism. Thank god for those 4 months we had Birth to 3 doing speech therapy. Soon after that we met with a women to be placed on the waiting list for in home services. I was lied to and never got calls back. My son was placed on the waiting list over 6 months after that visit because this person failed to do her job and give correct information. He is now almost 4 and in Early Childhood and Head Start. He only gets a hour of OT and Speech at school because we simply can not at all afford extra therapy now mind you my child who is nearly 4 has the ability of a 18month old for communication. We are still waiting for our slot for in home therapy.
This state has some serious issues with getting help for Autistic children. I have been denied many services because of he gets them at school or W.E.A.P offers them and we can not use that program do to where we live. Its a shame that some states can get their acts together and others seem to lack the knowledge there of.

By: M

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:24:03 +0000

My theory is that Wisconsin legislators are suffering from “leaky IQ” syndrome. I can’t quite prove it yet, but with my studies at Google U, I am well on the way.

By: Regan

Regan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:11:26 +0000

Well, on the plus side,according to the AP, Arizona’s bill, “Steven’s Law” has passed in the legislature and now goes to the Governor’s desk.

It’s a bummer about WI. I have friends active in that campaign and they are disappointed that even the amendment didn’t pass.

Good luck in NJ!