Sprout Film Festival

St. Lawrence NYSARC and St. Lawrence University are cohosting a Sprout Film Festival sponsored by Blevins Brothers on Saturday, April 14, 2012.  The Festival is taking place at St. Lawrence University’s Gulick Theatre in Canton, NY.  Screenings will be held at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and highlight films related to intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Additional sponsorship is being provided by North Country Public Radio, and Potsdam Elks Lodge #2074.

Each session features different films and subject matters.  The 2:00 p.m. screening will run for 90 minutes and includes 11 short films on several types of developmental disabilities.  Themes for the movies include: the politics of disabilities, rock music, and the viewpoint from fathers of children with disabilities.  Four movies focus entirely on Down Syndrome.  The 4:00 p.m. session is on Autism Spectrum Disorders, as St. Lawrence NYSARC recognizes April’s Autism Awareness Month.  This screening will include five films and also runs about 90 minutes.  These movies show individuals in college, as artists, and a contestant on a quiz show!  Two of the short films are animated and completely from the perspective of people with Asperger’s.

“The Sprout Film Festival is being offered thanks in large part to our sponsors, and also to the community members who support our annual Autism Awareness Walk in September,” said Daphne Pickert, CEO/Executive Director of St. Lawrence NYSARC.  “This Festival is a great celebration of the accomplishments of people with disabilities, plus the movies are both entertaining and thought provoking!”

Autism Spectrum Disorders are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral changes.  More people are diagnosed with autism in one year than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined.  Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States.  St. Lawrence NYSARC has seen a significant increase in referrals for local children on the Spectrum over the past five years.

With early diagnosis and interventions, thousands of children with autism have shown significant improvement.  St. Lawrence NYSARC’s Children and Youth Services doubled in size in one year.  The program strives to assist with daily living skills, self-care, household chores, personal health care, personal financial management and appropriate social skills, just to name a few of their direct goals.

Admission to the Sprout Film Festival is free and this event is open to the public.  In addition to the movies being offered at the Festival, St. Lawrence NYSARC will also provide resources and information for services available to people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  For more information, call: 315-386-3529 or visit: www.slnysarc.org.

The workshop, “When My Autism Gets Too Big! Addressing Social Cognition and Emotion Regulation Using the 5-Point Scale,” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Herkimer County Community College’s Robert McLaughlin Center Amphitheater. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.

The Herkimer ARC Focus on Families Educational workshop is free and open to professionals and family members thanks to funding by the Herkimer ARC and the Central New York OPWDD Family Support Council.

Space is limited and reservations should  be made by Monday, April 16, by calling Carolyn Roy at (315) 574-7100 or email: croy@herkimerarc.org.

On a regular basis, NYSARC will present an important issue facing the field of intellectual and other developmental disabilities and explain the Organization’s position on the issue. For a complete and more detailed description of our Issues and Positions, please visit our Advocacy page and click on the “Read Our Position Statements” link.

Autism and the full range of autism spectrum disorders, as a field, has received a tremendous amount of attention over the past decade by many advocacy and service organizations.  Autism is, at its most basic roots, another classification under “intellectual and other developmental disabilities.” Autism is treatable and with the right services and supports, people on the autism spectrum can lead full, healthy, and meaningful lives.

Given that the need for services to people on the autism spectrum is rapidly increasing, it is NYSARC’s position that the same supports and services we provide to other people with intellectual and developmental disabilities must be provided to people on the spectrum in a way that is appropriate and accessible to their specific needs, no matter the strain on resources. Furthermore, we feel that the education and service networks in New York State must develop strong diagnostic resources to accurately identify people on the spectrum and their specific needs. Finally, research must be done to study the diagnostic and treatment models to provide the greatest supports to people on the spectrum.

This position was last adopted with amendments on October 21, 2011 at the NYSARC, Inc. Delegate Assembly

Topics for Discussion

Please use the commenting system below to respond to these questions or, if you have another question that we have not raised below, we encourage you to ask it.

• Are you on the autism spectrum? If so, what do you feel are the most important issues you face?
• What can NYSARC do to provide better supports, services, or advocacy on behalf of people with autism spectrum disorders?
• Why do you think that autism has received so much attention nationally?
• How well do you think movies and TV shows portray the lives of people with autism?

If you would like to get involved with NYSARC, Inc.’s efforts towards providing supports and services to people on the autism spectrum, we encourage you to become a member of your local Chapter today.

Herkimer –

The two-day event will be held March 13 and 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Herkimer County Community College’s Student Activity Center. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The Herkimer ARC Focus on Families Educational workshop is free and open to professionals and family members thanks to funding by the Herkimer ARC and the Central New York OPWDD Family Support Council.

Space is limited, individuals must attend both days, and reservations should  be made by March 1, by calling Carolyn Roy at (315) 574-7100 or email: croy@herkimerarc.org.

The workshop will be presented by Lara, who is founder of Autism Movement Therapy, Inc. Designed for parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, caregivers, dancers, professionals, and individuals on the Autism Spectrum, the event will develop skills and strategies for instruction of Autism Movement Therapy movement and music class. These include connecting left and right hemispheres of the brain for “whole brain” cognitive re-mapping approach to increase desired behaviors, on-task activity, and social speech and language skills. All are explored through sequencing and patterning techniques. The mission is to provide a music and movement program for all individuals with Autism so that they can be included in their communities and have access to the arts.

Lara is an Autism education expert and an adjunct Special Education faculty member at National University, with a M.A. in Special Education and a B.A. in Dance. She has written extensively about Environmental Toxins and Autism, and presents lectures and certification workshops throughout the US. In June 2011, Lara was appointed Technical Advisor/Consultant for Kiefer Sutherland’s new FOX TV pilot Touch. Kiefer’s television character has a 10 year-old non-verbal son with high functioning Autism. For more information, visit www.autismmovementtherapy.com.

Dr. Yankowitz will discuss the importance of understanding the person and identification of strategies to address those characteristics to increase productivity and leisure activities, and to improve sociability and sense of overall well-being. Thanks to funding from the Herkimer ARC and a grant from the Central New York OPWDD, the workshop and lunch are free. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served from Noon until 1 p.m. Individuals can R.S.V.P. by Mon., Dec. 5 by calling Carolyn Roy at (315) 574-7780 or email: croy@herkimerarc.org.

Dr. Yankowitz first became interested in Fragile X Syndrome when she recognized the symptoms in a young man, who was a participant in a program she was supervising, and based on a talk she heard. The change in the young man as a result of the strategies she had learned about were dramatically positive. She was inspired to return to graduate school and educate others about this special population.

Mentored by Vicki Sudhalter, Ph.D., Dr. Yankowitz received financial support from the National Fragile X Foundation and from Teachers College, Columbia University, for her dissertation research. Since being awarded her doctorate in Special Education with a focus on Intellectual Disabilities/Autism, she has been invited to present on a range of topics related to Fragile X Syndrome, including the use of App technology, transition services, and adult services. As part of her work as Senior Director of Family Support Services at HeartShare Human Services of NY, Dr. Yankowitz provides information and referral about Fragile X, conducts staff in-service training, and consults to families and schools.

Dr. Bennett will talk about Autism and answer questions from parents, care providers, or advocates. The event is free and coffee will be served. Individuals can R.S.V.P. by Dec. 7 by calling Carolyn Roy at (315) 574-7780 or email: croy@herkimerarc.org.

Dr. Bennett provides counseling, and consultative and evaluation services as part of the Clinton Therapy and Testing Center in Clinton, NY. He has over 30 plus years assisting parents, schools, and other paraprofessionals in addressing behavioral needs of children, teens, and adults.

Governor Cuomo’s budget “call letter” was finally released yesterday.  The widely anticipated annual message to agency heads was nearly six weeks late.  This year’s call letter asks State agencies to come up with another 2.5% in cuts.  It is not absolutely clear in OPWDD’s case if this applies to State-operated programs only or also includes voluntary-operated programs.

Read the full article

Health insurers are not finished with recently signed autism bill

Claiming that legislation signed by Governor Cuomo will raise health insurance premiums for families and employers, the State’s health insurers have made it clear that they will seek to reduce the “scope and cost” of the new law in the upcoming legislative session.  Paul Macielak, president and CEO of the NY Health Plan Association predicted that “this measure will mean an increase of hundreds of dollars to the average family and tens of thousands to the costs of employers pay for coverage for their employees.”

As reported in Crain’s New York Business:

“Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday signed the autism bill that was heavily lobbied against by the New York Health Plan Association. But the HPA isn’t done with its fight. In a statement issued yesterday, HPA said it looked forward to working with the governor and the Department of Financial Services on developing amendments ‘that will reduce the scope and cost of the autism mandate, as well as ensure it is aligned with the anticipated federal Essential Health Benefit package.’ The bill requires insurers to provide coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders, though coverage may be subject to deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits. HPA says the bill will raise premiums and increase costs of public insurance programs, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus.”

Read the full article

Commission on Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities revamps operations

The state Commission on Quality of Care, which has in recent years drawn some criticism for a lack of aggressiveness is overhauling its’ operation. They have a new director, Roger Bearden, who was appointed by Gov. Cuomo in April and they are out with an update on some of their changes today. It’s part of a larger revamping of the state’s vast system of disability and mental health services.

Read the full article

“Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a law that will require health insurance providers to offer coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

The legislation will help families afford the expensive health care costs related to treating loved ones with autistic disorders. Under the new law, health insurance companies will be required to provide coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders, though coverage may be subject to deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits.

‘This bill will help thousands of families across New York who struggle to obtain proper care for loved ones affected by autism spectrum disorder,’ Governor Cuomo said. ‘When it comes to autism, early diagnosis and treatment is essential, and it is inexcusable that financial constraints would stand in the way of a brighter future for those affected by this disorder. This bill opens the door to families seeking earlier treatment and better results. I thank Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Morelle for sponsoring this much-needed legislation.’”

Read the full press release

John Robinson, Founder and CEO of Our Ability, shares an inspirational story of "Overcoming Obstacles" with the audience

The 62nd Annual NYSARC, Inc. Convention officially wrapped up on Saturday morning. With almost 500 people in attendance, it was one of our biggest, and most successful, conventions ever.

Working under our Convention theme, “Advocacy in Action: Moving Forward,” speakers shared stories of struggles, perseverance, and finding success. For example, at the Media and Employer of the Year Awards Luncheon, guest speaker John Robinson, Founder and CEO of Our Ability, Inc., made us laugh and inspired us by sharing his story of “Overcoming Obstacles.”

Following two screenings and an exclusive Q&A session, the stars of Wretches and Jabberers delivered a powerful keynote, highlighted by Tracy and Larry’s message that we all have something to say.

Board of Governors and Committee meetings focused on important and critical issues for NYSARC, Inc., the field, and our future. Workshops and plenary sessions allowed attendees the opportunity to hear from some of the leading experts and raise important questions that couldn’t be answered anywhere else.

Attendees network and share ideas at the Convention

Perhaps most importantly, our decision to expand our Convention to Thursday paid dividends. By focusing on programs for direct support professionals (DSPs) and self-advocates, we created invaluable networking opportunities that never existed before. Self-advocacy groups from NYSARC and from the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region were able to get together and discuss important issues. Additionally, seminars on the Code of Ethics and End-of-Life Decision-Making for Self-Advocates provided excellent training and educational opportunities.

In the coming months, we look forward to hearing how our Chapters, staff, and advocates use the new ideas and tools that were presented at the Convention in their work. We also hope that new friends and professional contacts remain in touch and that the NYSARC family is better prepared to respond to the challenges of the future than it was before.

Convention Links

Throughout the Convention, many awards were handed out to volunteers, staff, employers, and self-advocates | View a Complete Listing of Award Winners

Outstanding Chapter Newsletters and members of the media were also recognized | View a Listing of Media and Quill Award Winners

Visit the 62nd Annual NYSARC, Inc. Convention Photo Gallery on Facebook

“We have just been informed (directly by Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s office) that the House leadership has put HR 2005, the reauthorization of the Combating Autism Act, on the “suspension calendar” today, Tuesday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m. This means that the House bill could be passed on a fast-track procedure without committee consideration.  They need 2/3 of the Representatives present and voting for the bill to be passed under this procedure.

Take Action!

What Does the Combating Autism Act Do? 

It provides funding to educate professionals about proper screening, diagnosis, and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.  It also funds autism research and surveillance.  The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program is just one of the things that the CAA supports.  Click here to learn more.

Why is This Important Now?

The Combating Autism Act will expire at the end of this month.   If it is not reauthorized before then, people with autism and other developmental disabilities stand to lose appropriate diagnostic, early intervention, and support services.  

Take Action

Call your Representative’s office TODAY before 6:30 p.m. EST.  Click on the ‘Take Action‘ link and enter your zip code to locate your representative’s phone number.

What to Say:

‘Please Vote for H.R. 2005, the reauthorization of the Combating Autism Act, when it comes up for a vote under ‘Suspension of the Rules’ this evening.’ “