SB 2654 On it's Way to becoming Law!

On Friday, May 2, 2008, the last day of the legislative session, the Florida State Senate passed Senate Bill 2654, the bill requiring that private insurance companies cover autism services. The bill is now on its way to the governor's desk for his signature and then will be state law.

Oh, and by the way- it was unanimous! Wow. To learn more about the bill, click here.


To read the actual bill, click here.

Fun YouTube Clip of the Week

I've used this clip in therapy for lots of different kids. The clip is about four minutes long and has no spoken dialogue in it. I've used it for practice with articulation of specific target sounds, vocabulary development, story telling, identification of emotions in the characters (including a gopher, some chickens, a squirrel, some birds, and a cow) and prediction of what might happen next. In order to elicit some of these concepts, you may need to use the pause button!

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

Now that Autism Awareness Month has drawn to a close we are ready for Better Hearing and Speech Month! Every year the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association helps those of us in the field raise awareness of communication disorders and promote treament that can provide a better quality of life for those individuals who have difficulty with speaking, hearing, or understanding.

You can find out more information about "Better Hearing and Speech Month" here.

Fast ForWord and the Willie Brown Story

I've been a Fast ForWord provider since 1997- the year it was released. I have been using the product since that time and have found it a very powerful tool for helping students improve auditory processing skills as well as improve reading and literacy skills. You can learn more about Fast ForWord here.

The video above tells the story of Willie Brown, a high school student, whose life was set on a different trajectory through his participation in the Fast ForWord program. Jacky Egli, the principal of Bridges Academy in Winter Springs, Florida, urged Willie to participate in the Fast ForWord program and the video clip above explains what happened.

The video clip below explains how Fast ForWord works at a neurological level.

One in a Million

I read about this project here. I think a documentary regarding a families journey through diagnosis and treatment could help not only other families, but neighbors, teachers, therapists, politicians, insurance companies......

Did I say politicians and insurance companies?

Autism Bill in Florida: One Step Closer to Reality

This past Wednesday, April 23, 2008, the Florida State Senate voted unanimously (39-0) to pass Senate Bill 2654, the autism insurance reform bill. This bill will require insurance companies to provide coverage for treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Now we wait for it to be voted on in the Florida House of Representatives. You can keep track of the progress of this important bill here.

Fun YouTube Clip of the Week

This clip is fun! Good for sharing laughs, practicing the /l/ sound for "l-l-l-licking!," or maybe even some oral motor work! (Can YOU stick your tongue out THAT far?!?!


If you want to see it on You Tube, click here.