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Press Release
 
Many Children with Autism Unable to Get Critical Treatment, Due to the Exhorbitant Expense
 
New Free Resources Help Empower Parents for Special Education Battle!
 
Chicago, Il. May 1, 2008--JoAnn Collins Publishing (http://www.disabilitydeception.com)--April 2nd of this year was national autism awareness day, and many television programs and other media outlets, talked about autism and treatment. But what they did not tell you, is that while treatments for autism exist; they are extremely expensive and not available for all children, whose parents cannot afford the expense.
 
While there are different treatments for autism, the educational treatment recommended by research, is called applied behavioral analysis or ABA. Autism Healing Thresholds states that the cost of ABA per student, is $30-50,000 a year. ABA is recommended to start around age three and continue for three to four years.
 
Applied behavioral analysis has several research studies to show its effectiveness. In the study "Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism; 4 year outcomes and predictors" by Allen O. Sallows and Tamlynn Graupner; in the American Journal on Mental Retardation 2005 417-438 110 (6) found that "48% of all children showed rapid learning, and achieved average post treatment scores, and at age seven were succeeding in regular education classrooms."
 
 Another issue is that if a child receives ABA treatment, the amount of money saved over the child's lifetime is immense. In a 1998 study by John W. Jacobson titled "Cost-Benefit Estimates for Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Young Children
With Autism" found that "with a success rate of 47% for early intensive behavioral intervention therapy, cost savings per child served are estimated to be from $2,439,710 to $2,826,535 to age 55 with inflation." (Autism Speaks document--"Arguments in Support of Private Insurance Coverage of Autism-Related Services" October 24, 2007).
 
Parents advocating for ABA services as part of their child's free appropriate public education (FAPE), face an uphill battle. Parents often must file for a due process hearing, and possible go to federal court, to have the school district pay for ABA. Many families unable to afford to fight school districts for ABA, have their child go without needed treatment, which will forever negatively impact their life.
 
JoAnn Collins author of the book "Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game" is now offering two free resources to help parents trying to get an appropriate education for their child, to include ABA programs.
 
First resource is free articles on special education, are now available on several opt in  Ezine Websites to include E zine articles (can be found at www.ezinearticles.com). E zine articles is one of the few opt in E zine Websites where you can find specific articles by author: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Collins. 
 
M.H. from California states "Wow! The articles you posted contain very useful & practical information! I am someone who has benefitted from your inspiring, supportive, enlightening articles."
 
A second free resource is an E newsletter entitled "The Special Education Spotlight." Shining a light on truth and deceptions in special education. The May 1, 2008 newsletter has information about autism and ABA. To get the newsletter, send an E mail to JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com.
 
L.M. from Illinois states "This newsletter is a wonderful resource! I am copying it now to share with others. The links in the newsletter are wonderful."
 
All children with autism, despite their parent's income, have the right to develop to their full potential, and live a fulfilled life.
 
These new free resources can help parents in the fight for their child's life!
 
 
 JoAnn Collins Publishing was started to publish books, that contain the truth about special education. JoAnn Collins is a parent of two adults with disabilities, and has been an educational advocate for over fifteen years.  Disability Deception can be purchased at www.amazon.com. Reviews can also be read at www.amazon.com.
 
Media Contact:
JoAnn Collins
PO Box 89
Bradley Il 60915
Phone Number: 815-932-9263
ISBN Number: 978-0-9795225-0-5
 
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Document from Autism Speaks "Arguments in Support of Private Insurance Coverage of Autism-related Services October 24, 2007" available at: www.autismspeaks.org/docs/arguments_for_private_insurance_
coverage.pdf.
 
Research on ABA is available in this report on Page 11-12.
 
3 states require private insurance companies to cover ABA treatment; they are South Carolina, Texas, and Indiana. Page 13-14.
 
Information on Cost Benefit analysis study referenced in my press release is available
on Page 16-17.
 
Alen O. Sallows and Gaupner Tamlynn in the American Journal on Mental Retardation
2005 did a study entitled "The Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism
4 year outcome and predictors is available on http://www.lovaas.com. 
 
Autism Healing Thresholds can be found at http://autism.healingthresholds.com. A lot
of good information can be found at this Web site on Autism and applied behavioral analysis.
 
Testimonial on Articles:
 
"Thank you very much for the article Special Education-Parents observing child's classroom. The school district I live in has refused to let me observe the special education classroom where my grandson with autism will be attending. . .This article will really empower me. This was exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people just accept the schools refusal because they have no other alternative, but I do. Especially now. Thanks again."
 
 
 
 
 

 Information about JoAnn Collins
 
The first time I was lied to my daughter Angelina was three years old and, eligible for special education services due to her disabilities. I was told by a disability educator(I use disability educator to describe all school personnel involved in the special education process; including administrators), that if Angelina was to get therapy, then I would have to pay for it. Since I had little money, she received no therapy for several months. I was told by another parent about my rights, and I fought for the therapy she needed. The disability educator was surprised that I knew that it was their legal obligation, to provide the therapy free of charge. That was the beginning of my advocacy journey. When my son Shaun was two years ago he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and later was diagnosed with seven Learning Disabilities. I also help other parents navigate the special education system as an educational advocate. Parents must understand that they are being lied to, in order to over come the lies. My book gives them practical easy to use advocacy strategies to help them fight the lies.
Angelina is now 26 years old, and works at the local college in the kitchen, with a job coach.
 
 
Excellent case law on applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is available on www.wrightslaw.com. Click Autism, and then ABA. Parents can look for cases that will help them in their fight for an appropriate education for their child.