SPECTRUM CONNECTION

By Toni Lapp

Several people have asked me for updates on my son Ryan’s job-hunting quest. To date, he has not been called for an interview at the grocery store where he applied, but then, there are probably lots of teens without Asperger’s syndrome who are waiting for a callback, too.
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By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.
Rumor has it that the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V) will eliminate the diagnostic category of Asperger’s Syndrome, 16 years after its inception in the DSM-IV. “Asperger” symptoms will be combined with those of another mild form of autism to create a new category to be named.
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By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.

As I sat at my laptop tweeting (@JHolverstott), e-mailing, reading, instant messaging (or IM’ing if you prefer), monitoring Facebook and watching TV a thought struck me. The only one of these activities most of my clients do is watch TV. I have clients who “talk” on XBOXLiv (which costs $50 per year, not to mention the cost of the XBOX and all of its games). I have clients who I can coax into texting “hi” to mom while she is in the kitchen and they are at the dinner table. I even have a few clients who “duel” YuGiOh cards over the phone with friends from our social skills group. So, why don’t I have anyone IM’ing?
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By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.

One of the most common co-morbid conditions within ASD is an anxiety disorder. Whether anxiety is part of the diagnostic make-up of the spectrum or whether anxiety warrants an “additional” diagnosis (hence becoming a co-morbid condition) is akin to the “chicken or the egg” dilemma. Because anxiety rears its ugly head in every way conceivable for individuals with ASD—often in ways beyond the neurotypical’s ability to comprehend—the ways in which schools target anxiety with special education services is critical to success. As most know, to qualify for any special education service that is documented on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a student must be medically diagnosed and it must be documented how this diagnosis interferes with his or her ability to learn and function within the school setting.
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By Toni Lapp
With the new year, efforts are under way in both Kansas and Missouri to pass legislation mandating insurance coverage of autism treatment. Activists in both states are redoubling their efforts after seeing proposals go down in defeat in 2009.

So far, 15 states have laws requiring insurers to provide coverage for the treatment of autism. Can Missouri or Kansas become the 16th? With Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon identifying autism legislation as one of his priorities for 2010, chances may favor the Show-Me State.
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By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.

In December, the Food and Drug Administration approved the antipsychotic Abilify (aripiprazole) to treat irritability in children ages 6-17 who have an autism spectrum disorder. A group of 98 children and adolescents were randomly divided into two groups (placebo and Abilify). By week eight of the study, 52% of those taking Abilify experienced a 25% or greater improvement in autism-related irritability symptoms, including aggression, tantrums, rapidly changing moods, and self-injurious behavior, compared with 14% of those who took the placebo.
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By Toni Lapp

You would think that everyone affected by autism would be united in their views on the subject, but that is far from the case.

Should researchers continue to look for a link to vaccines or should they investigate genetic testing? Should taxpayer money fund employment incentives? Should health insurers be mandated to cover ABA therapy?
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By Toni Lapp
Thanks to a grant from Autism Speaks, a YMCA program that benefits children on the autism spectrum will be expanding.

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City Challenger Athletics program already provides year-round opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in sports, recreation and social integration activities. Activities that have paired children with disabilities with role model peers have included bowling (see story here), basketball, baseball and soccer.

Bolstered by $18,500 from Autism Speaks, the program will improve and expand these opportunities in a way that specifically benefits children with ASDs, through specialized materials, targeted marketing, program equipment, additional sites and staff/volunteer training.
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APRIL 15 – 16. Speakers include Dale Dileo, president of the Training Resource Network and author of Raymond’s Room; Bob Niemiec, founding member of Minnesota Employment First Coalition; Joe Marrone, senior program manager for Public Policy Institute for Community Inclusion. Topeka Capital Plaza Hotel. Scholarships available for persons with disabilities.

By Toni Lapp

A couple months ago, I wrote about my son’s attempt to get a job at a nearby grocery store. To date, he hasn’t been interviewed. Ryan attributes the lack of response to the poor penmanship on his application. When he turned it in, the employee at the customer service desk quipped, “Were you born in 1493 or 1993?”

I’m considering acting as a sort of “job coach” and going directly to the hiring manager to make a case for hiring Ryan. He’s closing in on 17, gets good grades, and a job could help round-out the much-needed social component in his life. Plus, I truly believe he’d be an asset to any business operation: He’s friendly, polite, does chores around the house without complaint and is honest to a fault.
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