By CARLA K. JOHNSON – CHICAGO (AP) — In Washington state, Reza and Arzu Forough pay more than $1,000 a week for behavior therapy for their 12-year-old autistic son.
In Indiana, Sean and Michele Trivedi get the same type of therapy for their 11-year-old daughter. But they pay $3,000 a year and their health insurance covers the [...]

The patchwork of private, state and federal assistance can be bewildering to the parents of children with Autism. It’s nice to see that common sense is applied once in a while by those in power. This article by Alan Johnson of the Columbus Dispatch illustrates what happens when the kids are put first - even [...]

It turns out Vanderbilt University shares our mission of helping families deal with Autism. So we recognize their new help line as one of Ava’s Friends in this article courtesy of the Nashville Business Journal: 
Vanderbilt University has launched Vanderbilt Autism Clinic, a single helpline staffed by an autism expert.
In her role as Family Services Coordinator [...]

One of the more disturbing issues with Autism is that there is no known cause, which makes finding a cure for the disorder all the more problematic. However, research is continuing and in one case, a number of groups feel they make have happened upon once such connection. The following is taken from a recent [...]

Ana Brandt of Ana Brandt Photography in Tustin, California recently received her certificate from the Special Kids Photography Association (SPKPA). She encourages all children to be photographed, regardless of their special need. And she’s calling on all family & portrait photographers to learn how to work with children who experience different challenges.
In celebration, for every [...]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., (UPI) — Autism treatment will now be covered by private health insurance companies, a proposal passed by the Florida Legislature says.
The Miami Herald reported Saturday the Steven A. Geller Autism Coverage Act passed by the state Legislature this week will require all private insurance groups to cover autism medical aid.
House Speaker Marco Rubio [...]

By Associated Press 
OKLAHOMA CITY — House Speaker Chris Benge said Thursday he does not plan to schedule a vote on legislation that would require health insurers to cover autistic children, despite pleas from parents that the bill be heard. 
Benge, R-Tulsa, said House Republican leaders did not plan to bring the bill up out of concern [...]

Reporting: Cynthia Demos
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) ― One in 150 kids is diagnosed with some form of autism and the numbers are growing. But the University of Miami, in conjunction with Good Hope Equestrian Training Center in South Miami-Dade, just wrapped up a research project that found children with autism improve with therapeutic horseback riding. 
The project focused [...]

By Jeff Yates
For Laurie, a mother of a child with autism, all she wants to do is hear her son’s voice once more.
“My son, two years ago, was making real progress, talking,” she said choking back tears.
But then, his program in the Wilton schools fell apart, she said, the word “regression” became a constant fear [...]

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — As director of LUDIC, a school for autistic children, Dr. Tammy Johnson worries over paperwork and personnel issues, but she’s still a hands-on teacher.
On a recent day, Dr. Johnson stepped in to sit with a 6-year-old boy left behind during lunch because of a rosy red rash on his cheeks.
The child likes [...]