tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post9025377587815105718..comments2023-08-28T07:04:55.848-04:00Comments on The Poptart Manifesto by Rick Gualtieri: Redefining Autism, a Parent’s FearRick Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703091917685458099noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-62737095514119814552012-02-19T08:57:29.692-05:002012-02-19T08:57:29.692-05:00It's such an enormous subject and it's a f...It's such an enormous subject and it's a fluid piece of science, I guess. The spectrum, by definition, is very broad indeed and all the autistic children I've worked with have been as individual in their needs as any other. The key to it all is that 4research continues and that provisions are made for pupils whatever their need. <br />I can see why you have concerns - the pound and the dollar will always rule and it's a shame that money inhibits our resources in education and resource terms. <br />I'd be interested in reading the document, anyway. I guess we all need to keep well-informed and to fight where we feel the gaps are appearing.<br /><br />Thanks.Nigel Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529578665251906089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-90596785132892240802012-02-18T16:12:10.204-05:002012-02-18T16:12:10.204-05:00Thanks Toby! Awesome to know (and I promise not to...Thanks Toby! Awesome to know (and I promise not to abuse the knowledge with tons of questions :) . I had likewise read some info that the new definition was to help stem the tide of autism diagnoses. While I find this motivation a bit questionable, I can also see the benefit of getting more a more specific diagnosis. <br /><br />The screwjob here is going to come in the form of insurance companies with very narrow definitions as to what types of disorders are covered for therapy as well as local governments that are trying to keep within budget. Unfortunately the victims will be children. <br /><br />Don't worry, nobody I know is ready to give up the fight quite yet. :)Rick Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703091917685458099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-72869788711005780992012-02-18T15:23:52.643-05:002012-02-18T15:23:52.643-05:00Hey Rick, so glad I came into your blog at a time ...Hey Rick, so glad I came into your blog at a time like this. What you may not know about me is that I'm a child/adolescent therapist in public (school) practice as a Behavior Therapist and work at two private clinics as well. Many of the children I serve are on the spectrum, and I too am very worried about the future. I see this as as a reactive measure by lobbied psychiatrists in response to the explosion of identification of autism in the general population. you can't work in a school for long without noticing how much more frequently it's occurring.<br />Parent advocacy and autism advocacy groups are the only thing standing between broke states, costcutting insurance companies, and kids with needs. Keep it up, Rick! <br />I'm actually too busy in my work and wish I weren't...but I can't stand to turn away kids in need. Its tough times all round as we in public get higher and higher caseloads, and in private, fewer and fewer sessions. Advocacy is the only answer.<br />Aloha<br />Toby<br />http://tobynealcounseling.com/Toby Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14245810488645852955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-88962289141239809232012-02-17T15:47:16.521-05:002012-02-17T15:47:16.521-05:00Wow that is seriously cool! Thanks for the heads u...Wow that is seriously cool! Thanks for the heads up, Elisa!Rick Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703091917685458099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-62504169971520218002012-02-17T15:32:27.712-05:002012-02-17T15:32:27.712-05:00P. S. You were mentioned on one of my favorite blo...P. S. You were mentioned on one of my favorite blogs today. :) Here's that link: http://47-5.blogspot.com/2012/02/you-like-horror-stories.html?showComment=1329510591336#c7250409735464188421Crazy Life of a Writing Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064939499412649850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-14478469198408691242012-02-17T12:42:00.112-05:002012-02-17T12:42:00.112-05:00Yes, it definitely sucks with a capital S. We'...Yes, it definitely sucks with a capital S. We're beginning to feel like General Patton and MacArthur here...we've gone to war over this so many times already. The "fun" never ends I tell you.Rick Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703091917685458099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-81573920648538752712012-02-17T11:19:40.805-05:002012-02-17T11:19:40.805-05:00I can't imagine! I'll be praying. It rea...I can't imagine! I'll be praying. It really sucks that people have to mess with things like this!Crazy Life of a Writing Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064939499412649850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-50009275860124650522012-02-16T07:37:42.089-05:002012-02-16T07:37:42.089-05:00I feel for you, and I'm definitely keeping my ...I feel for you, and I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed that this turns out to be nothing more than a scare for us. But you're right about the dollars. It always comes down to that. The case workers in my town utterly disgust me the way they'll always conveniently suggest the absolute cheapest solution to my kids' issues regardless of what their IEP or diagnosis calls for.Rick Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703091917685458099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-86156651545989546702012-02-15T21:53:12.986-05:002012-02-15T21:53:12.986-05:00This is worrisome. My son was first diagnosed with...This is worrisome. My son was first diagnosed with autism but later changed to Severe Anxiety disorder with catastrophic thinking. They were eating him alive in school. he now goes to a special needs school and is thriving! I have fought hard for this and cannot afford further expense. What little is covered by insurance keeps our heads above water. It's is all about THE DOLLAR!laurathomasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-64532794663883611332012-02-15T21:27:15.140-05:002012-02-15T21:27:15.140-05:00Thanks, Josh! I don't think there's such a...Thanks, Josh! I don't think there's such a thing as grandfathering in cases like this. My biggest fear for us is losing Misery's placement in the absolutely fabulous school he's in. He's not ready for mainstreaming and our town's program, in a word, sucks. Outside of that, though, I'm more worried about other families. We have friends who would probably be hit much harder.Rick Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703091917685458099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164588272845310569.post-4374083971780622102012-02-15T21:16:35.029-05:002012-02-15T21:16:35.029-05:00Pardon my language here if it offends, but that...Pardon my language here if it offends, but that's really shitty. I hope grandfathering at least comes into ply, but even if it does, redefining these things helps no one but the insurance companies. Will you guys be all right? I hope so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com