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New Study Sheds Light on Genetic Differences and Age-Related Changes

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Article Summary:

A study by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers reveals that brain development in individuals with autism differs from those with typical neurodevelopment. The differences are related to genes involved in inflammation, immunity response, and neural transmissions, which evolve across a person’s lifespan. The study examined the genetic differences in brain neurons of autistic individuals and compared them with neurotypical individuals. They discovered 194 significantly different genes, with many linked to brain connectivity and immune response. Additionally, the study found similarities in mRNA expressions between individuals with autism and those with Alzheimer’s disease, which may indicate an increased likelihood of neurodegenerative and cognitive decline.

Article:

A new study by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers shows that the brain development of people with autism is different from those without autism. These differences are related to genes affecting inflammation, immunity, and nerve signals. They start in childhood and change throughout a person’s life.

In the U.S., about one in 44 children has autism. People with autism may behave, communicate, and learn differently from others. As they get older, they often have problems with social communication and interaction.

The scientists wanted to learn how nerve cells in the brain communicate and how this is affected by age and autism. They looked at the genetic differences in brain nerve cells of people with autism at different ages and compared them to people without autism.

Previous research showed that certain brain areas have too many nerve cells at first, but these cells later decrease in number and lose connections as people with autism get older.

The researchers studied brain tissue from 27 people with autism and 32 people without autism, who were between 2 and 73 years old. They focused on a part of the brain called the superior temporal gyrus (STG), which is responsible for processing sound and language and understanding social situations.

The study found 194 genes that were different in the brains of people with autism. Some of these genes were linked to how nerve cells communicate and how the body responds to stress and inflammation. The researchers also discovered that the levels of certain genes changed with age in people with autism, affecting brain function and inflammation.

One important chemical messenger in the brain, called GABA, helps to slow down the brain and control overactivity. The study found that the genes involved in making GABA changed with age in the brains of people with autism.

Furthermore, the study found similarities between people with autism and those with Alzheimer’s disease, which could be related to a higher risk of brain and memory problems.

Understanding these changes in the brains of people with autism can help develop better treatments and interventions for different stages of life.

Can ABA Therapy be an Effective Approach for Managing Symptoms of Autism and ADHD?

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Managing the behavior of a child with Autism and/or ADHD can be a challenging task for any parent. However, it is important to understand that these struggles and challenges are not uncommon, and that many children with Autism also meet the criteria for ADHD. In fact, up to 50% of children with Autism also have ADHD.

As these two diagnoses have many overlapping symptoms, it can be difficult to determine the underlying cause of a child’s behavior. That’s where Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy comes in. ABA therapists are trained experts in analyzing behavior and understanding the motivations behind it, and in implementing strategies to teach new skills, minimize disruptive behaviors, and increase positive behaviors.

ABA therapy is based on the principle that behavior can be changed by understanding it. ABA therapy is also effective in managing ADHD, as research has shown that it can improve the primary symptoms of ADHD such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It can also help children with their communication and social skills.

At any school or clinic, ABA therapy can be implemented utilizing the “Today’s ABA” methodology, which utilizes the most modern and research-based techniques. This approach is centered on listening to the child and learning through a positive and respectful environment. Therapists observe and listen to children, learn about their behavior and motivators, and develop individualized therapy plans based on the underlying reason for the behavior.

In ABA therapy, therapists work on daily living skills as well as broader skills such as mindfulness and executive functioning. Mindfulness and self-monitoring skills help children regulate their behavior, while executive functioning skills, such as planning and organization, help them stay focused and complete tasks.

In Illinois, insurance covers ABA therapy for children with an Autism diagnosis. For children with both Autism and ADHD, insurance coverage may vary and it is best to check with your insurance provider.

If you have a child with Autism and/or ADHD, ABA therapy can be a helpful tool in managing their behavior and improving their daily living skills. The support of a dedicated team at any school or clinic can make all the difference in helping your child every step of the way.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Software for 2023

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ABA therapists should consider using digital software for data collection because it provides a more efficient and accurate way to record and analyze data. Digital software allows therapists to track the progress of their clients in real-time, reducing the chance of human error and making it easier to identify areas that need improvement. With the ability to store data electronically, therapists can access it from anywhere, at any time, which makes it easier to collaborate with other members of the treatment team and to share data with parents and caregivers. In addition, digital software often includes powerful reporting and analysis tools, which enable therapists to quickly and easily identify patterns, track progress over time, and make informed decisions about their clients’ treatment plans. By using digital software for data collection, ABA therapists can not only save time, but also ensure the most effective and efficient treatment for their clients.

Criteria used to rank the software

User Interface: Is it visually appealing and well-organized?
Usability: Easy to learn and use, with adequate tech support, tutorials, and training? Suitable for RBT, parent, or school staff to use for data collection?
Integrations: Can it be easily connected with other tools, with pre-built integrations?
Value for Pricing: Is the price appropriate for the features, capabilities, and use case? Is pricing transparent and flexible? ABA Data Collection Software Key Features:
Specific Data Collection: Does the software support the type of data collection needed, including non-standard dimensions?
Practice Management System: Includes scheduling, billing, training, EMR management, or integrates with PMS?
Workflow: Supports improvement with task flagging or reminders for incomplete tasks?
Privacy Law Compliance: Compliant with local privacy laws, including HIPAA for US customers?
Pre-made Programs and Goals: Includes a library of goals and programs that can be personalized, or customizable?
School Use: Suitable for school staff or outside clinician to use?
Offline Mode: Works offline reliably?
Mobile App or Browser-Based: Available as mobile app or browser-based to suit tech availability?
Communication: Includes internal messaging system for real-time communication between clinician, staff, or parent.
Support: Includes email/phone/SMS support for practitioners. Has Off-hours support options.
Onboarding: Includes help migrating from paper or other software.

Software reviewed:

BIPTrack

BIPTrack is revolutionizing therapy software! Say goodbye to outdated solutions and hello to a comprehensive and flexible platform where behavior analysts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, and more can work together to help clients achieve their goals. With BIPTrack, real-time therapy and skill data is easily collected, viewed, and reported, allowing the team to track progress and see results. Say goodbye to manual data analysis and hello to immediate insights with annotated data that is ready for visual analysis. And with fully customizable reporting templates, BIPTrack will dramatically reduce the time spent on documentation, giving you more time to focus on what really matters: your clients. Join the next generation of therapy software with BIPTrack!

Starting Price: $30/month/client

www.biptrack.com

Hi Rasmus

Rasmus is a platform for collecting therapy data from children and parents. Rasmus makes it easy to create and share your individualized therapy plan, including information about goals, activities, and progress.

hirasmus.com

CentralReach

Delivering end-to-end applied behavior analysis and related behavioral health software and services for outcomes-based autism care. Automate operations, improve cash flow, and stay audit-ready with a fully integrated HIPAA-compliant EMR, smart scheduling and an optimal ABA billing system. Streamline back-office work, reduce inefficiencies, and elevate the client experience. Deliver superior care and improve client outcomes with a suite of electronic ABA data collection solutions for effective service delivery in every setting. Digitally construct ABA programming, modify client targets and behaviors for their treatment plans, and collect data across any developmental domain. Boost billing and revenue cycle operations to generate up to 96% claims reimbursements. Stop leaving money on the table with the support of an expert ABA billing team with one single goal in mind: maximize your cash flow and profitability.

centralreach.com

Artemis ABA

Artemis is your comprehensive practice management & managed billing solution for ABA Therapy. Built in the Salesforce cloud, Artemis provides leading workflow automation using AI based technology. With Artemis advanced scheduling you are connected to your practice in a meaningful way. Our scheduling system is designed to streamline your workflow using our AI driven technology to help you run and grow your practice. Prevent scheduling errors with a fully-integrated platform that ensures 100% accuracy every time. Optimize transparency with multiple scheduling views with options suited for every team member. Artemis is developed as a unique automated ABA practice management platform for businesses of all sizes. Artemis has streamlined time-consuming processes that require manual intervention and eliminated repetitive data entry errors. We have designed this platform to be optimized and provide maximum data and operational productivity.

www.artemisaba.com https://www.artemisaba.com

AlohaABA

AlohaABA is an ABA practice management software for Autism Clinics developed by California based organization. The Autism Clinics deploy our software for integrating major tasks like managing therapists, scheduling sessions, billing insurance companies, run payroll for paying Staff, Run Reports and Dashboards. We built this product in the year of 2019 which aimed to resolve the current issues of the ABA therapy industry. AlohaABA software is a SAAS product comes up with multiple benefits like a free trial for 6 months, zero cancellation fee, monthly subscription, and no installation required. Compared to other medical practice management software’s in ABA therapy industry, AlohaABA offers better pricing policy in three categories: Essential, Premium, and Elite. We are destined to help our clients with required training on product demo and additional support for gaining better product usage knowledge.

Starting Price: $27.99 per user per month

www.alohaaba.com

MeasurePM

The ultimate, comprehensive, user-friendly tool, where crucial business decisions have the input of artificial intelligence and are backed by data behind it. With MeasurePM™ we’ve created a workplace environment where customers and employees are happy to participate in the growth of our organization, and yours.

measurepm.com

Rethink

Looking for tools that serve your customers and make your life easier? Rethink has a solution to help you grow. We offer all-in-one behavioral health solutions for your business. You’ll love using our RBT training, ABA data collection or practice management tools. They are robust alone, but even better together. Rethink’s Clinical Tools provide instant on-demand access to the largest video library of best practices available, helping professionals engage with their clients. Plus, Rethink’s Clinical Tools help keep your team and parents on the same page while providing helpful insights to parents to reinforce positive behaviors at home. Rethink’s RBT Training module provides integrated and powerful RBT training for staff members to provide meaningful ongoing professional development. Rethink training helps give staff members a competitive advantage and deep insights and understanding that lead to better results.

rethinkbehavioralhealth.com

Motivity

Founded and funded completely by research grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Motivity is an enterprise-level software dedicated to applied behavioral analysis electronic data collection. The days of updating individual target instructions and parameters are over. End all of the tedious tasks of managing your learner programs with Motivity’s features like copy & pasting target lists and bulk editing. Because Motivity is built on next generation technology, we’ve only been “down” a total of 4 minutes in the last 3 years. You never have to worry if you’ll be able to log in, or be able to access your data.

motivity.net

Theralytics

Practice management and data collection software designed for ABA providers. Take full control of scheduling through our detailed calendar system. Billing can be completed in just a few clicks with our billing system. Take skill acquisition and behavior data directly on our modern platform. Create custom reports or use our standard reports to analyze business performance.

Starting Price: $15 per month

www.theralytics.net

ABAdesk

Shift the focus back to progress by embracing automation. ABAdesk is a HIPAA Compliant, browser-based service that helps you restore work-life balance by automating processes like graphing and advancing client programs through phases, chaining, and sequential goals. Let the data be your guide as your learners thrive in the areas of skill acquisition and behavior reduction. ABAdesk supports data collection for duration, frequency, interval recording, task analysis, and trials programs. Effortlessly build your dream program library, tailor programs to meet the unique needs of your learners, or build custom client programs. Each program can be set to go through optional baseline, maintenance, and generalization phases. ABAdesk’s easy-to-navigate system makes setting up a breeze! Set up and update ABAdesk on your phone, tablet, or computer – you have full capability on any device! Our single-page forms give you feedback as you go, allowing you to set up programs correctly the first time.

Starting Price: $10 per user per month

abadesk.com

ClinicSource

ClinicSource is a cloud-based practice management solution that helps in scheduling and documenting the therapy appointments of the patients. ClinicSource Therapy Practice Management’s scheduler includes billing & electronic medical record, where the patient’s information is recorded in the database & all the claims and invoices against the patient are displayed and can be generated automatically. The mental health practitioners can create notes and alerts on each patient that can be linked to the patient’s medical records. This helps the patient to view their medical history at a common location. The scheduler also helps in booking appointments that can be edited and modified using the drag and drop feature. The appointment reminder feature gives the patient an alert a day before each appointment to avoid a no-show. The Patient can reschedule the appointment in case it is required at their end. Priced on a per-month subscription basis. Support is available on-call & live chat.

Starting Price: $72.95/month

www.ClinicSource.com

Total ABA

Total ABA is the only ABA software provider hosted on the Salesforce platform and is dedicated to delivering the highest quality practice management, clinical and billing services to therapists, clinics and practices nationwide. Total ABA’s fully integrated platform enables thousands of caregivers and clinics to improve the quality of their service delivery, while saving time and money every day. Total ABA’s mission is to improve productivity and the quality of lives for the Behavioral Health Industry.

Starting Price: $19.00/month/user

www.totalaba.com

Kareo

Run your independent practice more efficiently with Kareo, a leading web-based practice management platform for independent practices. Kareo is built to enable the success if physician practices from 1-10 providers and medical billing companies with 1-100 providers. The platform integrate all major functions through one intuitive platform, with its Clinical, Billing, Managed Billing and Marketing modules.

www.kareo.com

Catalyst

Catalyst ABA Data Collection. Catalyst allows for the collection and management of a wide variety of different types of data. The flexibility to adjust your individual Catalyst system to your unique needs is almost limitless. Diagnostic information, such as antecedents, consequences, locations, times of day, etc. Topographical behavior data, such as frequency, severity, and duration.

Starting Price: $12.99 per user per month

therapybrands.com/applied-behavior-analysis/catalyst/

SpectrumAi

Applied Behavior Analysis is the gold-standard therapy to help those with autism achieve their best possible outcome towards independent living, meaningful relationships, lifelong vocation and self-advocacy. Above all, ABA lacks data transparency, keeping everyone – parents, providers and payors – in the dark. We’re improving the quality of ABA therapy with objective data, meaningful insights and actionable nudges. We partner with provider and payor organizations to establish value-based contracting models.

www.spectrumai.com

Portia

Portia is therapy-first ABA software for your ABA clinic that combines practice management, electronic medical records, insurance billing, curriculum and data collection. The PortiaPro data collection mobile app is available on both Apple and Android devices. The mobile app also works perfectly offline. The PortiaPro app can be pre-loaded with sessions for those who do not have a cellular plan on their device or do not have access to Wi-Fi at a client’s home. GPS location is recorded, and captured information is synched to the server every 30 seconds to Portia. BCBAs can watch data arrive in the system in near real-time. All entries are time-stamped so you will know exactly what was recorded and when. Session scheduled time and actual time is viewable and editable.

portiainternational.com

Thread Learning

Reduce the manual work that consumes your day-to-day so you can focus on providing exceptional services. Thread’s ABA data collection tool enables your clinical teams to care for clients, manage programs, and complete data collection and ABA graphing in a snap — all in one place. Help your direct care teams meet the demands of on-the-go client care with an easy-to-use mobile solution that makes their job easier. Quickly view client data sheets to complete online or offline data collection, take interval, percent correct, duration, task analysis, graph, and report data in real-time to provide clients with superior clinical care. Thread’s easy-to-learn, intuitive application is designed to help ABA practices and clinical teams get up and running in as little as an hour, so they can focus on what matters most — driving practice success and delivering top quality care.

www.threadlearning.com

AccuPoint

Your ABA practice deserves a Practice Management Solution that fits your unique billing, scheduling, and compliance requirements. AccuPoint, powered by Therapy Brands, offers two solutions for all your administrative and billing needs. Whether you’re an emerging, mid-sized, or larger practice, AccuPoint has innovative ABA software for you. Permission based scheduling and calendaring tools designed for emerging ABA practices. Enhanced calendaring tools to manage complex staff and client scheduling. Insurance billing with authorization tracking, advanced reporting and billing options. Basic insurance billing tools with authorization tracking. In-depth implementation with AccuPoint’s expert team. Managed billing services and integrated data collection (Catalyst) available. Managed billing services, data collection (Catalyst), Telehealth Portal, & credit card processing available.

www.accupointmed.com

webABA

WebABA makes it easy to manage your practice so you can focus on what really matters, your clients. WebABA offers everything you need to build a better, more profitable practice. From setting up your practice to collecting payments and managing employees, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to make sure you get paid on time, every time. Regain your peace of mind knowing our experienced team of medical billing professionals is here to help you every step of the way. WebABA is the leading provider of Practice Management solutions for ABA therapists. WebABA is tailored to fit the needs of your ABA therapy practice. We make managing your practice and your staff a breeze. Request a demo today to see how WebABA can improve your practice. WebABA provides you with powerful tools to manage every aspect of your ABA practice.

webaba.com

BEHCA

BEHCA is a behavior-tracking software that allows care teams to collect data, track across time, log medication, view reports, collaborate in real time, and compare environment and health variables that may be influencing behavior. Our iOS and Android apps are optimized for a superior mobile experience, allowing you to track behavior and medical data as quickly as possible so you can get on with your day. Forget clunky software or binders full of paper logs. Connect as a team with real-time data that gives a full 360-degree view of what’s behind behaviors. BEHCA allows you to track data digitally in real-time. It is no secret that raising a child or supporting an individual with complex behavior can feel isolating and all-consuming. BEHCA was created to bridge that gap and allow input from more than one person to document different data throughout the day. Most importantly, it helps inform a data-driven hypothesis of what the behavior is communicating.

Starting Price: $8 per month

behca.com

NPAWorks

As the first dedicated practice management software for ABA providers, NPAWorks has had the time and exposure to develop important features no one else has. NPAWorks makes managing your ABA practice a breeze. We offer end-to-end administrative assistance. Whether it’s contracting and credentialing, eligibility and benefits verifications, client intake, or scheduling, we have you covered. Our goal is to help your practice succeed. Our trained and experienced team knows how to handle ABA billing to ensure that every claim is complete and accurate. You can rest assured that you’ll get paid what you’ve earned on time, every time. We’re confident CodeMetro can help you build the ABA practice you want, but don’t just take our word for it. Check out what some of our customers have to say about our services. Getting started with NPAWorks is easy! We offer one-on-one support and assign a dedicated Implementation Specialist to your account to help you every step of the way.

codemetro.com/npaweb/

ABAKiS

As parents of children gifted with autism, we know first-hand the challenges of keeping up with ABA data entry and team communication. So we created ABAKiS, an easy-to-use program for autism data collection and clear, concise ABA team communication. ABAKiS helps your ABA team be optimally efficient at delivering the best treatment outcomes to your child. And it frees you up from time-consuming administrative tasks so you can spend more precious time with your child and family. Learning modules are where you track Skills Development in ABAKiS. Your BA can easily setup new modules in minutes, and your team can add targets to track. ABAKiS makes it easy to enter discrete trial data on the fly. If you prefer, you can enter data at the end of the session, or even back-fill historical data. Module summary data and charts allow you to see where your team is focusing their time. More detailed views show you at a glance where your learner is making progress.

myabakis.com

TherapyPMS

Documentation is always ready to be printed or delivered electronically whenever an audit takes place. Well-managed documentation-easy of business life to save your time and energy. With TherapyPMS’s Parent Portal, parents can see their child’s schedule, and session notes, electronically sign off on session times, and pay their co-share invoices in real-time online! We have a “security first” approach at all times to ensure we are 100% compliant. Featuring WAF protection, log retention, encryption, BAA, log monitoring, host intrusion detection, Managed Firewall with Unified Threat Management, IP reputation, and vulnerability scans. Therapist shall complete their assessments, progress reports, and session notes in their respective session dates in TherapyPMS and consolidated session reports shall be generated any time anywhere.

Starting Price: $8 per month

therapypms.com

TeachTown

Welcome to TeachTown, an education software company that provides educators, parents and clinicians with curriculum and education programs that measurably improve the academic, behavioral, and adaptive functioning of students with moderate to severe disabilities. TeachTown’s solutions utilize evidence-based best practices derived from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), improving student academic outcomes, and providing life skills that enable children with autism and related developmental disorders to thrive. With TeachTown’s solution suite, parents and guardians of children diagnosed with moderate and severe disabilities are provided with proven tools and strategies to help their children meet educational goals and complement and support what their child is learning in the classroom. Schedules and routines help your students learn independence, responsibility, and agency, and serve as a great way to keep your classroom running smoothly.

Starting Price: $299 per year

web.teachtown.com/

BPAUS

A digital platform designed for healthcare providers and practitioners of autism and developmental disabilities. BPAUS includes a comprehensive suite of digital tools that enable the creation, tracking, and documentation of treatment processes in kindergartens, schools, and private institutions. A parent portal enables collaboration between parents and professionals, by making a treatment diary and a graphical presentation of the progress of the treatment. The system operates in a simple and user-friendly interface removing the need to change work methods and processes.

www.bpaus.net/en/

Curismed

Focus on what really matters, your clients. Problems solved with just a click! Curismed integrates your scheduling, billing, and reporting so that you save your precious time and help your bottom line. Schedule your meetings with one or several therapists without the fear of conflicts, rates, as well as CPT codes. Organizes your appointments while you can access it from anywhere, anytime. Helps therapists to reduce the human effort that is required to run a professional clinic as it eases every step that a professional takes during the course of its service. Let Curismed auto manage your clinic. The billing feature helps to maximize your claims since the information is gained from the same software so the accuracy is 100%. Let Curismed take care of your finances. Running payroll is made effortless without any hassle. You can track every employee’s data and can set the payment on the basis of days of work. A good payroll system means happy employees.

www.curismed.com

Skills

SKILLS Global is a leading provider of web-based and mobile application solutions for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) professionals, as well as educators and parents working with individuals with ASD. Our comprehensive software suite is a one-stop resource for creating tailored, research-backed treatment plans following personalized assessments, data collection and scheduling, billing, practice management with contracting and credentialing and more—all with free, ongoing training and support.

www.skillsforautism.com

Lumary

Lumary is a global healthcare platform with a complete end-to-end practice management solution, purpose-built for autism therapy providers in the US. Designed and developed by industry experts and tech engineers, Lumary integrates with specialist applications to create one digital solution that enables ABA providers to manage their entire therapy practice. Lumary understands the complex technology and care requirements for the healthcare industry and how it’s evolving. We bring together provider-inspired software applications, industry experts, and world-class developers to improve workflows and interoperability between operational and clinical processes. The result is increased visibility and control within your therapy practice optimizing your connected compliant business. Together we’ll support your success and growth as we change the future of healthcare. Partnered with Salesforce, our software applications are designed and developed on the world’s leading secure CRM platform.

lumary.com

WellSky Behavioral Health

WellSky helps behavioral health providers across hospital inpatient and outpatient settings and ambulatory outpatient and residential facilities deliver safer, more effective care with behavioral-specific functionality. WellSky enables your clinical team to spend less time on documentation and more time on delivering quality care to those in need.

wellsky.com/behavioral-health/

TheraBill

Therabill is a cloud-based practice management software for nutritional, mental and behavioral health specialists. Therabill combines therapy billing, scheduling, and documentation in one simple solution, allowing users to submit claims, manage schedules, enter treatment notes, and maintain patient information with ease. Therabill also offers a chock-full of helpful features including exportable client statements and invoices, automated appointments and reminders, and provider portals.

www.therabill.com https://www.therabill.com

The CT-SEDS Crisis: How a Flawed Reporting System is Wreaking Havoc on Special Education Teachers

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The Connecticut Special Education Data System (CT-SEDS), rolled out this school year, is causing frustration among special education teachers. The system was designed for reporting special education compliance but has turned into a burden for teachers who received little training before having to use the platform. According to special education teachers who spoke at the State Board of Education meeting, the CT-SEDS is leading to teacher burnout and high turnover in the profession.

Georgann Stokes, a special education teacher in Cromwell, described the negative impact that the CT-SEDS has had on her students. “Due to this digital system, I have had to use most of my daily planning time to problem-solve scenarios and help my colleagues to navigate this system. The quality of my lessons has been diminished, which directly impacts the progress of my students.” Stephanie Wanzer, CEA Treasurer and a special education teacher at Cooperative Educational Services, echoed this sentiment, saying that this year has been one of the hardest in her teaching career.

Special education teacher Danielle Fragoso from Daniel Hand High School in Madison reported that it takes her about two and a half hours to complete one Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in CT-SEDS, despite having used the system for several months. Teachers also reported numerous glitches in the system, including information being wiped out, duplicated, or lost, causing delays and extra work for teachers.

CEA President Kate Dias stated that it is time to look at the entire field of special education and consider ways to make the job more tenable. Stephanie Wanzer also asked the State Board and Department of Education to allocate funds to hire more paraeducators and administrative help, compensate educators for the added hours of work, and train a new workforce of educators to remedy the special education teacher shortage.

The State Department of Education has allocated $2.7 million for local districts for stipends to provide some relief for special education teachers. However, this amount does not compensate teachers for the extra 20-30 hours per month they spend on CT-SEDS compliance, much of which occurs during evenings and weekends.

Special education teachers are calling for a better rollout of initiatives and to be considered in their needs. They believe a dedicated phone/helpline and compensation for the extra time spent on their work would be a good start.

The Power of Hair Analysis in Detecting Autism Markers

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A new diagnostic test for autism has been developed that can detect markers of risk in a single strand of hair. The technology, developed by the startup LinusBio, uses an algorithm to analyze hair for patterns of specific metals that have been associated with autism. The test was able to accurately predict autism 81% of the time in a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

The potential benefits of this technology are significant as it could help children receive early intervention treatments sooner and lead to the development of new drugs or therapy models for young children. The current average age for an autism diagnosis is 4 years old, but by that time, much of the brain development has already taken place. With early intervention, children can receive individualized instruction from a trusted teacher to help address their specific developmental needs.

The causes of autism are still mysterious and the debate over the role of environmental and genetic factors continues. LinusBio’s test analyzes the history of the child’s metabolism, giving a picture of what substances or toxins the child has been exposed to over time. The test runs a laser along the length of a hair, using its energy to turn it into plasma for analysis. A centimeter of hair captures roughly a month’s worth of exposure data.

The machine-learning algorithm used in the test is trained to look for patterns of dysregulation in metals that the researchers believe are biomarkers of autism. The technology creates huge amounts of data, but the results show that “we can detect the clear rhythm of autism with just about one centimeter of hair,” according to Manish Arora, the CEO and co-founder of LinusBio.

While the findings of the study are exciting, many independent experts caution that more research is needed before the test can be considered a valid measure of autism spectrum disorder risk. The LinusBio test is not yet federal approved and is only meant to assist clinicians in identifying autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screenings at 18 months and 24 months, but there is currently not yet a biological test for autism spectrum disorder.

In conclusion, the LinusBio test is a groundbreaking innovation in the field of autism diagnosis and could lead to earlier interventions for children with autism. However, more research is needed before the test can be relied upon as a definitive diagnostic tool.

Tips for Parents Travelling with Children with Autism

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Traveing with children with autism can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but it can also come with its own set of challenges. Here are a few tips to help make traveling with children with autism a little easier:

Plan ahead: Planning ahead can help to reduce stress and increase the chances of a successful trip. Consider the specific needs of your child with autism, such as their preferred routine, sensory preferences, and any necessary accommodations. Research your destination to find out about any accessible facilities or resources that may be available.
Pack familiar items: Pack familiar items, such as favorite toys, games, and comfort objects, to help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of familiarity in a new environment.
Prepare for meltdowns: Children with autism may be more prone to meltdowns in new and unfamiliar environments. It’s important to be prepared and have strategies in place to manage these situations. This may include having a quiet place to retreat to, bringing along sensory items, or using deep pressure or other calming techniques.
Communicate with airport and airline staff: Let airport and airline staff know about your child’s needs in advance, such as any necessary accommodations or support. This can help to ensure a smoother travel experience for everyone.
Be flexible: Traveling with children with autism can sometimes require a little extra flexibility and patience. It’s important to be open to adjusting plans or changing schedules as needed to meet the needs of your child.

By following these tips, parents can help to make traveling with children with autism a little easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

2023 Certification and Licensing Requirements for ABA Therapists

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As an ABA therapist, it’s important to understand the certification and licensing requirements in your state in order to practice legally and ethically. These requirements can vary from state to state, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the specific requirements in your area.

In 2023, here are a few key certification and licensing requirements for ABA therapists to be aware of:

Certification: Many states require ABA therapists to be certified by a professional organization, such as the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). To be eligible for certification, you must typically have a graduate degree in a related field and complete a certain number of supervised hours of experience.
Licensing: Some states also require ABA therapists to be licensed in order to practice legally. To be eligible for a license, you may need to meet certain education and experience requirements, as well as pass an exam.
Continuing education: Most states require ABA therapists to complete a certain number of continuing education (CE) hours in order to maintain their certification or license. These hours can be obtained through a variety of methods, such as attending conferences, workshops, or online courses.

By staying up-to-date on certification and licensing requirements, ABA therapists can ensure that they are practicing legally and ethically, and that they are providing the best possible care for their clients.

Celebrate the Small Wins

5 Comments / Parent Contributions / By blogadmin

As the parent of a non-verbal child with autism, I’ve learned to find joy in the small things. For example, one of my favorite moments came when my son was about three years old. He had always struggled to communicate his needs, and we were constantly trying to find ways to help him express himself.

One day, we were out at the park when my son suddenly ran over to a trash can and started frantically pointing at it. My husband and I looked at each other, wondering what on earth he was trying to say. After a moment of confusion, we realized that he was trying to tell us that he was hungry.

We quickly pulled out a snack from our bag and offered it to him. As he happily munched on his treat, we couldn’t help but laugh and feel heart-warmed by the progress he had made in communicating his needs. It was a small moment, but it meant the world to us as parents.

As I’ve learned over the years, parenting a child with autism is full of ups and downs, but it’s also full of moments of joy and pride. It’s these small victories that keep us going and remind us of how far our children have come. So, don’t lose hope and keep trying to communicate with your child. Every small step matters.

Autism may change the path, but it doesn’t define the journey

4 Comments / Parent Contributions / By blogadmin

As a parent, I have come to realize that autism may change the path of our journey through life, but it does not define it.

When our child was diagnosed with autism, it was a difficult and emotional time. We were unsure of what the future held and how this would impact our child’s development and overall quality of life.

However, as time has passed and we have learned more about autism and how to best support our child, we have come to see that it is just one aspect of who they are. It does not define them or limit their potential.

Sure, there may be challenges and obstacles along the way. There may be therapies and interventions that are necessary to help our child reach their full potential. But, ultimately, it is up to us as parents to help our child navigate their unique path and to support them as they grow and develop.

And as we do this, we have come to realize that our child is just like any other child – full of potential, curiosity, and a love of life. They may learn and process information differently, but that does not mean they are any less capable or deserving of a fulfilling and meaningful life.

So, while autism may change the path of our journey, it does not define it. It is just one stop along the way, and we will continue to support and advocate for our child as they make their way through this beautiful and unpredictable journey called life.

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