Autism Spectrum Disorders Task Force
March 2012 During the 2009 legislative session, a bill was passed to convene an Autism Spectrum Disorders Task Force. Task force members included parents, doctors, a special education director,...
View ArticleRead Dr. Barbara Luskin’s Perspective
August 2011 Restrictive Procedures in Schools In 2009 a law was passed in Minnesota regulating how schools use restrictive procedures (seclusion and restraint) on students in special education. The law...
View ArticleDSM-V Criteria Changes for ASD
January 2012 The debate continues over the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s efforts to redefine the criteria for an ASD medical diagnosis. The current (DSM-IV) requires that a person exhibit at...
View ArticleMDE Releases Report on Prone Restraint Use
February 2012 On February 1, 2012, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released its report, "The Use of Prone Restraint in Minnesota Schools: August 2011 through January 2012." This report was...
View ArticleMinnesota Governor's Taskforce on Prevention of School Bullying Report Released
The Governor's Prevention of School Bullying Task Force released its final recommendations on Aug. 1, 2012 to the Governor. The 15 member task force began its work in March to study best practices and...
View ArticleMDE Prone Restraint Workgroup Begins Work
The Minnesota Department of Education currently is forming its Prone Restraint Stakeholder Group to develop a plan by Feb. 1, 2013 to reduce the use of all restrictive procedures in schools and to...
View ArticleTime for a New Special Education Funding Formula?
In August, the Minnesota Department of Education’s School Finance Working Group met to discuss a new special education funding formula, which could change the way Minnesota funds special education....
View ArticleAutism Spectrum Disorder Task Force - Strategic Plan Report
The Minnesota Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Task Force was created by the 2011 Legislature to develop a statewide strategic plan for improving awareness and ensuring treatment and services for...
View ArticleNew Minnesota autism insurance reform bill
AuSM supports the new Minnesota autism insurance reform bill, HF.181, which requires intensive behavior therapy, including but not limited to applied behavior analysis; intensive early intervention...
View ArticleCurrent bills connected to autism
Autism is on the radar of legislators as bills are being heard that affect AuSM members. This week, the autism insurance reform bill, HF.181, was heard in the House health and human services finance...
View ArticleAutism reports from the Department of Human Services
On Feb. 12, 2013, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Lucinda Jesson sent a letter to the Minnesota Legislature, highlighting two reports that DHS had completed as required by the...
View ArticleEducation alert
Last week, the Office of the Legislative Auditor issued an evaluation report on Special Education in Minnesota. One of the recommendations in the report is to consider where Minnesota laws and rules...
View ArticleAuSM Action Alert: March 26, 2013
What You Need to Know The Minnesota House and Senate released their budget targets last week. They noted what they would like to spend in the Health and Human Services area for the next two years for a...
View ArticleAuSM Action Alert: May 17, 2013
"The Safe and Supportive Minnesota Schools Act" (bullying prevention bill) needs to be scheduled for a floor vote by the MN Senate and time is running out. The 2013 session ends this Monday, May 20....
View ArticleDisability services - What do they do for you?
Share your story and win a prize In collaboration with The Arc Minnesota and to start preparing early for the 2014 legislative session, Jean Bender is collecting stories about how disability services...
View ArticleRecent reports relevant to ASD issues
Click on the links for additional information. Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force Strategic Plan Report Report to the MN Commissioner of Human Services by the Health Services Advisory Council A Report...
View ArticleAuSM Advocacy: Update at a Glance May 20, 2013
Special Education Several attempts this session to repeal MN laws & rules that exceed federal Task force will be created to work with MDE & make recommendations Prone Restraint (eliminated in 2...
View Article2013 legislative session brings some good outcomes for autism community
The 2013 legislative session had some good outcomes for the ASD community. The Health and Human Services Omnibus bill included $12 million in new funding for services for children with autism;...
View ArticleAuSM Public Policy Committee meetings in August
The AuSM Public Policy Committee wants your input for the 2014 legislative agenda and AuSM's public policy positions on autism issues. Join the committee on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 6-7:30 p.m. and...
View ArticleAugust advocacy - Affordable Care Act
Last week AuSM invited representatives from the MN Department of Commerce to discuss changes in insurance coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). Click here to view an overview of the...
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