Headlines regarding autism and law enforcement over the past months have been disturbing. In the last week, two headlines, in particular, grabbed the attention of any parent of a child with autism.
Category: Thoughts from Lisa
Important conversations, topics and information from one parent to another.
IACC is requesting public comment for their strategic plan
By Lisa Ackerman Here we go for the third installment of Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Strategic Planning. Here is what the IACC is proposing: The IACC is requesting public comments to inform the development of the 2016 IACC Strategic Plan. The objectives in the IACC Strategic Plan were last revised in 2011, and the…
The new #autism prevalence rate is not a cause for celebration
By Lisa Ackerman On March 31, 2016 the CDC issued their new official rate of autism per their latest survey (1.) The rate is 1 in 68 US children has a diagnosis of autism. For this first time in over a decade the rate compared to their 2010 survey results is flat. It is important…
April #Autism Action Month: Action Speaks Louder than Awareness
By Lisa Ackerman I am more than aware of autism. This is the 16th Autism Awareness Month my family has experienced. There are many families like ours who want more than awareness, we want people to be educated about autism and to share that knowledge with others. This month provides TACA members with an…
Why Would a Government Panel Question Universal #Autism Screening? UPDATE
By Lisa Ackerman Editors Note: this blog originally posted in August 2015. There are new updates to this story below. When a serious developmental disability increases from 1 in every 10,000 US children in 1970 to 1 in 68 in 2015, how should the government respond (1)? One would think perhaps scale up screenings?…
#Presidential Candidates Let’s Talk #Autism Plan
WHY HAVE A PLAN IN THE FIRST PLACE? As a country, we need to address this important health issue affecting 1 in 68 every US Children (1.) A more recent parent survey shows the number even higher at 1 in 45 (2.) Candidates need to know this should be a front-of-mind issue affecting many families living with autism. They also need to know we need help.
The IACC needs to address #autism and #wandering. How can parents help.
By Lisa Ackerman The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) is meeting again on January 12, 2016 (1.) On the TACA blog we have written about the IACC for years (2.) Let me catch you up: IACC was founded by funds from the Combatting Autism bill in 2006. About $3 billion has been spent. Sadly,…
#GivingTuesday: This history & how to help non-profits
By Lisa Ackerman What comes after Thanksgiving Thursday? First, Black Friday. Then, Cyber Monday and don’t forget #GivingTuesday! Today is a day to support nonprofit organizations across the country. Just as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become traditions in the United States, organizers are seeing #GivingTuesday as a tradition celebrating the joy of giving….
#Autism is now 1 in 45 – will anyone listen?
By Lisa Ackerman In December 2013 the University of Minnesota published a study regarding the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) population in Minneapolis. The results documented the ASD overall rate: 1 in 48. Another major finding from the Somali population showed autism rates are 1 in 32 (1.) In a new report released today two startling findings (2)…
A Change for #Autism?
By Lisa Ackerman On September 15 2015, Dr. Thomas Insel announced he will step down as a director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NMIH) and Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) (1.) This change is effective November 1, 2015. On this blog we have written about the IACC and their efforts since inception back…
Why Would a Government Panel Question Universal #Autism Screening?
By Lisa Ackerman When a serious developmental disability increases from 1 in every 10,000 US children in 1970 to 1 in 68 in 2015, how should the government respond (1)? One would think perhaps scale up screenings? Increase support? Look into cause and treatments? Sadly, the newest report is the opposite, to put a stop…
The Annual Cost of Autism Continues to Soar
By Lisa Ackerman (Original post in May 2012 with updates in July 2015) In May 2012, new figures were released to highlight a huge increase in the annual autism costs. Autism costs had soared to $137 billion a year (1). This represented a three-fold increase within the last decade. Fast forward 3 years and those…
