Autism - Danville Area (Bloomsburg, Berwick: insurance, home, schools)

[Dawne]

There have been a lot of people asking about programs for austism, so I thought I'd post that there's been a lot of press lately about new autism programs in the Danville area. I'm not sure if that includes schooling or not, but it may be worth looking into for you to move back to the Trevorton area. There's even a billboard about austism programs along Route 11 between Northumberland and Danville, on the left as you're heading into Danville.

[Deb_from_Trevorton]

Being the parent of an autistic child I can speak to Pennsylvania in general for services.
On July 9th Governor Rendell signed into law bill HB1150. The law is now referred to as ACT 62. What this bill does is FINALLY force private insurance companies to cover "proven" therapies for the treatment of autism. The proven therapies include ABA (applied behavior analysis), Occupational, Speech and Physical therapies. Non-proven are yet to be covered, however with the law signed (going into effect July 1, 2009) when research proves other therapies such as bio-medical (amino-acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals), HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy, used for wound healing and divers who get the bends) and the more "natural" approach to healing our kids bodies that have been wrecked from the genetic predisposition, environmental toxins and vaccines, it will be much easier to get them attached to the law. PA now has the STRONGEST insurance coverage bill in the country. A very proud distinction for those in the autism community that worked this bill for almost 2 years.

Another UNIQUE distinction that no other state in the country has is Pennsylvania has a waiver program for adults (over 21) with autism. This will help to off set the cost of housing, job training, and medical costs for individuals with autism that are over 21.

So for those thinking of relocating because you have an autistic child and you want better services Pennsylvania is the state to be. For those living in PA now who have an autistic child(ren) PA is now number 1 in the country. You don't need to move.

Reference to the new law can be found at: http://drnpa.org/File/autisminsurance.pdf (broken link).

There are certain exemptions to this law. The number 1 is if you work for an employer (or are an employer) with 51 or less employees they/you are exempt from this law. This and the other exemptions are in the referenced PDF listed above.

BTW the signing ceremony took place at my son's school. Yet another feather in the cap of the Vista school. For anyone here interested in the Vista school their website address is: The Vista School ®

[cathyde]

Originally Posted by Dawne

There have been a lot of people asking about programs for austism, so I thought I'd post that there's been a lot of press lately about new autism programs in the Danville area. I'm not sure if that includes schooling or not, but it may be worth looking into for you to move back to the Trevorton area. There's even a billboard about austism programs along Route 11 between Northumberland and Danville, on the left as you're heading into Danville.

That program that's featured on the billboard is Children's Service Center, which is headquartered in W-B. After a number of years, the staff serving the Danville, Bloomsburg, Berwick, Selinsgrove and nearby areas finally has their own space!

This team is wonderful! I was fortunate enough to get services through them for my son, (10-yrs-old, also non-verbal). We had them in our home for several years, and couldn't have been happier. The staff is so hard-working, and I cannot give them enough praise. Unfortunately, their turnover is high, simply because many of them move on to other positions, in schools or otherwise. Also, I wasn't able to keep CSC after I moved because I am now out of their "work area."

I would love to help anyone that might need services or schooling info for the Danville area, as I lived there for 15 years before moving this past November PM me with any questions - I hope that I can help, as others helped me.

Cathy

[christiebrz]

There is an Autism Support Group at the Shamokin Hospital on the 1st Tuesday of every month.