White House Interview on Disabilities: Exclusive

Disability Scoop has a scoop -- exclusive interview with Kareem Dale, the White House special assistant on disability policy. In this must-read interview, Dale addresses many key issues, including IDEA, waiting lists, employment, and even President Obama's recent remark about Special Olympics. He says his top priorities are involving more people with disabilities throughout the administration and making sure disability issues are front and center in the president’s overall agenda for the whole country -- from health care to education to employment.

Considering President Obama has been in office for a mere two months -- and he's dealing with an economic crisis -- I like Dale's final thoughts:

"I think in the disability community — from being a person with a disability and from working on the campaign and the transition — I think there is a tendency for people to believe that the glass is half empty and believe that the president or whatever government official is not going to do what they said they were going to do. I think in the first couple of months we’ve seen the president’s commitment to work hard on disability issues.

"It’s always hard to accomplish every single solitary thing by the letter that you say you’re going to accomplish. But I think in the first two months we’ve accomplished an extraordinary amount and we’re continuing to work hard. So I would just encourage the disability community, as hard as it is sometimes, to be patient with us and recognize the great accomplishments of the first two months and just look forward to other things to come down the road."

On Obama, Athletes, and Insults

I'm writing from Buffalo, N.Y., where I'm coaching in the USA Disabled Hockey Festival. I'm surrounded by athletes whose courage and competitiveness would rival that of most professional athletes. They include teams of athletes who cannot walk, but who leave their wheelchairs to play ice hockey with specially designed sleds. (Imagine "Murderball" on ice.) Other teams are made up of men and women with autism, Down Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. I just had lunch with Max Maksimyadis, the 2008 USA Disabled Hockey Athlete of the Year, a dominating goalie who doesn't even use a stick. His cerebral palsy allows him to use only one arm, and he chooses to use that arm to catch. (Read his inpiring story.)

So I was disappointed to come across the news about President Obama's insensitive insult to all athletes with challenges on the Tonight Show last night, when he referred to his embarrassing bowling performance -- "it was like Special Olympics or something." Tim Shriver, the head of Special Olympics, credited the president for recognizing his gaffe and apologizing even before his interview on the Tonight Show aired. Maria Shriver, Gov. Schwarzenegger's wife and Tim's sister, said laughing at Special Olympians "hurts millions of people throughout the world."



This story will likely blow over after a while, but it really bothers me. I expect that kind of behavior from people who are insensitive to people with disabilities, not from people who I believe are open-minded and accepting of people who are different from them. Your thoughts?

Autism Insurance Coverage -- Did You Say "Over"?

One of the best scenes from "Animal House" is a pep talk by John Belushi's character Bluto to his discouraged fraternity brothers: "Over? Did you say over? Nothing is over until WE decide it is!" View the clip below (with one naughty word starting with "s").


That summarizes how I feel about the battle over insurance coverage for autism in Maryland, which Delegate Kirill Reznick reports will not get out of committee this year. (In each of the eight states that have passed the insurance mandate, the legislation didn't pass the first time it was considered either.) The good news is that the General Assembly passed a commission that will study this and other aspects of autism, and Delegate Reznick and others have pledged to keep this fight alive. We also have a motivated group of parents and other advocates who will continue to do everything they can. In the meantime...

Do you want to tell Carter's parents it's over?

Do you want to tell Drew's parents it's over?

The economy is in the toilet, and some of our elected officials are using that as an excuse to not pass any legislation that has a cost attached to it. But what about the immediate costs to thousands of Maryland parents? These parents are facing the same challenges as other families (declining investments, unemployment, and more) -- but they have the additional cost of providing the care their doctors have told them their children need...costs that insurance companies refuse to cover.

If you don't want this to be over, here's what you can do:
- Join the Facebook page for the Maryland Coalition for Autism Insurance Coverage. We'll keep you up to date and let you know how you can stay involved.
- Go to autismvotes.org/maryland and sign up for email alerts about new developments in Maryland.
- Call or write to your elected officials and tell them you're disappointed that this legislation didn't pass and urge them to support it the next time it's considered. Find your representatives.

If you're not in Maryland, you can:
- Sign up for email updates for your state at autismvotes.org
- Follow autismvotes on Twitter.

Delegate Reznick offers these words of support:
"We have made a great start, and we are well on our way to getting this benefit mandated. I know that for many of you, patience is, unfortunately, not an option. The only thing I can say is that I and other supporters of this bill are planning on working towards our mutual goal over the course of the legislative interim to bring this bill back next session....I urge you to not become disheartened. Democracy is a deliberate, slow, and messy process, but at the end of the day, the right outcomes prevail, but only if the proponents continue to fight until it happens."

Special Assistant for Disability Policy...and Arts?

When Kareem Dale's name showed up in my Google Alerts today, I expected to have a disability update for you, since Dale was recently named the president's special assistant for disability policy. But no, the article from the New York Times was about a new role for Dale -- in a new White House position overseeing arts and culture.

I don't know about you, but in my office, lots of people are taking on multiple roles as budgets tighten and staff departures often create vacancies that can't be filled. The question about Dale's most recent role is whether it will distract him from his duties in disability policy or enhance those duties. For example, what is the role of arts and culture for people with disabilities? What effect can art and music therapy play in education for people with special needs?

Yesterday I met with an organization called Rock Against Cancer, which creates music therapy and other music programs for people with cancer. Their challenge is to communicate the mission as an integral part of treatment, and not just a nice add-on. Especially in this economy, "nice to have" items may be the first things to be cut, and the last to be funded. I've also seen the power of arts and music programs in special education.

What do you think? Is the White House asking Dale to take on too much, or will the two roles complement each other?

Secretary Duncan: "No Child Left Behind" in Need of Reform, Rebranding

In an NPR radio interview, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said the No Child Left Behind Act has become "toxic" -- that it's in need of proper funding, reform, AND a new name.

"We are putting dramatic money behind our children, which didn’t happen before, it was largely underfunded," he said. "But in this [stimulus] package there are over $10 billion in additional money for children in poverty, Title 1 dollars, over $10 billion through IDEA [Individuals With Disabilities Education Act]....We want to be much less punitive and reward excellence and really again spotlight those schools and those districts that are beating the odds every single day."

As for the program name itself, he said, "I think it ultimately has to be rebranded. 'No Child Left Behind' has become toxic. And we need to come up with something that’s much more inspiring, something that appeals to the best of us rather than pulls us down."

As a communications professional, I understand the value of rebranding. But Secretary Duncan's remarks reminded me of another rebranding that was recently in the news -- Blackwater, the notorious military contractor, is changing its name to "Xe." Same company, different name. Will it make a difference? If you're interested, this Newsweek article examines Blackwater's decision and the experience of Altria (the company formerly known as Philip Morris) and other rebranded corporations.

Seattle Teachers Suspended for Not Giving Test to Special Ed Students

Two teachers in Seattle who refused to give a standardized test to six students with disabilities have been suspended without pay. Read article. The teachers say they were following the wishes of the students' parents, who knew the tests were inappropriate for their children. Defending the teachers, one parent said, "They're sticking up for my kid and what I want for my child. They know what he can and can't do. They're not just going out on a limb."

Because the test is grade-level-based, the teachers say, it's inappropriate for students with severe cognitive disabilities. "It's really not a one-size-fits-all for kids," one of the teachers said. "It doesn't mean we don't have high expectations; we do. They're just not there yet."

On one hand, the school district says it's important to document success, or the lack of success. (The students affected had all taken the test the previous year and had received zeros.) On the other hand, the parents feel their children are being given inappropriate tests and are being set up to fail. What do you think?

The Downside to Inclusion

Many people view inclusion as a goal for all students with special needs. I'm not one of those people, because my experience as a parent has showed me that all students have their own needs -- and the range of autism is so wide that no one-size solution will meet all students' needs.

A new report on inclusion hit close to home for me, since it looked at Montgomery County, Md. (where I live) and because next year my 5-year-old daughter will leave the safe confines of a special autism preschool for a program (yet to be determined) provided by the county. A year ago, the county had a big push to integrate students with special needs and closed specialized learning centers -- and to say the results are mixed would be generous. Read "Special Ed Integration Fails Expectations," from the DC Examiner.

Levels of academic achievement for the special ed students were very low, but that's not what troubles me. The report says only about 25 percent of teachers used "differentiated" instruction for the special-needs students -- they taught everyone the same way. More disturbing -- just over half of the teachers attended a mandatory training about how to integrate these new students into their classrooms. (Which makes me wonder what "mandatory" means in Montgomery County schools. If a teacher skips a mandatory training, how about docking their pay till they attend a makeup session?)

Kay Romero, president of the county’s PTA, testified to the school board this week in support of an effort to re-evaluate the decision to phase out the learning centers. "Our most complex students should have an educational path that is tailored to their needs, and not tailored to fit a square peg in a round hole," she said.

DC Lagging in Autism Action?

Last week the U.S. Senate passed the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009, raising hope once again for DC residents who long for a voice of their own in the U.S. Congress. It's no surprise that residents want the same rights and representation as people who live in the 50 states. So I thought it was interesting timing when I heard from a Special Needs 08 reader who asked, "What's DC doing with autism legislation?"

As a lifelong DC-area resident (I've been a DC, Maryland, and Virginia resident), I've seen that it's easy for people in our area to get involved in national policy without engaging in their own local politics. In the past month, both Virginia and Maryland have considered legislation to mandate insurance coverage for autism. Virginia said no; Maryland is still thinking.

Which brings me to the reader's question: What IS DC doing in this area? My first stop was autismvotes.org, and on the national map, even though DC is there, clicking on it takes you to Maryland. Then I found this summary from the Autism Society. Like other states, DC covers occupational health, speech therapy, and physical therapy -- but not treatment like Applied Behavioral Analysis. DC has no task force on autism. And there is no pending legislation related to autism. Am I missing something? Can anyone from DC enlighten me on any developments parents should know about?

Bill Would Expand Savings Options for Disability Expenses

529 plans have become a popular way for parents to save money for college, because their interest is exempt from federal taxes. Now relief may be on the way for middle-class parents working hard to save money for a family member who has a disability. The ABLE Accounts Act of 2009 (Achieving a Better Life Experience Act) would encourage people with disabilities and their families to put aside money in "disability savings accounts" to save for their future. These benefits would not replace Medicaid or private insurance, but would supplement them.

Autism Speaks has endorsed the legislation. Read more.

Autism Thursday in Annapolis Part 2

Without a doubt, the highlight of today's rally and both hearings was Adam Berman, a 22-year-old who spoke about the progress he's made since being diagnosed with autism 20 years ago.

"My prognosis wasn't very favorable. They said that I'd be institutionalized. I'd be a burden to the taxpayers. I'd be unable to dress myself. I'd bang my head on the wall. Well, I'm here today to tell them that I am a taxpayer." Adam says Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy allowed him to graduate from the University of Maryland and get a job.

Watch his dramatic remarks at the rally.



See Part 1 of my report, including more photos.

Autism Thursday in Annapolis Part 1

Over the past few months, I've reported about the efforts of several states to pass legislation to mandate insurance coverage for autism therapy. But it was thrilling today to see my own state undertake this important cause.



At noon, we gathered at the area outside the State Capitol called "Lawyers Mall" (how appropriate). There may have been some lawyers there, but most of the crowd of 100 or so were parents and other regular people who are affected by autism in some way. Several elected officials who spoke deserve a lot of credit for their strong leadership -- Attorney General Doug Gansler (who has a nephew with autism), Delegate Kirill Reznik (who sponsored House Bill 273), and Senator Kathy Klausmeier (who sponsored Senate Bill 394).

After the rally, we attended the two hearings, first for the Senate bill and then for the House bill. I testified at the second hearing, the House Health & Government Operations Committee, about my family's experience with autism therapy. In preparing my testimony, I learned that it's hard to say much in three minutes. Something I wanted to say, but didn't have time to, is that my wife and I are fortunate that we've found a way to pay for these services. And we're fortunate that our daughter was able to get into a specialized preschool at age 2. I didn't testify to ask the insurance companies for a handout -- I just want more families to have access to the services that our daughter has benefited from.

It looks like this will be an uphill battle, with opposition led by the insurance companies. But I'm optimistic. Think about it: Who's side would you rather be on -- the insurance industry? Or parents, therapists, doctors, scientists, doctors, and advocates like Autism Speaks and Easter Seals?

Maryland American Academy of Pediatrics: Yes on Insurance Coverage for Autism

On Wednesday, the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics expressed it support for HB 273, the legislation that would mandate insurance coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment -- and the bill that I am testifying about Thursday. Here is the complete statement:

"The Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MDAAP) is a statewide association that represents more than 1,100 pediatricians and allied practitioners in the State and is a strong advocate promoting the health and safety of the children they serve. MDAAP supports House Bill 273.

"House Bill 273 requires carriers to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Furthermore, the legislation includes provisions which ensure not only are the services covered but that they can be provided in a manner that is not designed to limit access or otherwise undermine the benefit of the coverage. For instance, the legislation specifies that a carrier may not require an updated care plan more frequently than six months and must bear the cost for any update that is required. A more frequent update would require concurrence by the treating provider.

"Autism spectrum disorders are complicated and challenging disorders to manage and treat. The care needs for individuals diagnosed with these disorders are highly individualized and require a variety of interventions. However, the care and treatment required is no less critical to the health and well being of the individual than any other challenging health condition or disorder. MDAAP strongly supports the passage of legislation that ensures that care and coverage for autism spectrum disorders is not arbitrarily excluded from the care now required to be included in insurance coverage. MDAAP urges a favorable report."

Make your voice heard -- visit autismvotes.org/maryland.

What Does Hockey Have to Do with Autism?

Please watch and share this video of Andrew Rouff, one of the hockey players I coach on Saturday mornings with the Washington Ice Dogs. All of the kids have autism or other developmental delays, and they inspire me every time I see them. Join the special hockey Facebook group.

Testifying Thursday for Autism Legislation in Maryland

I've been asked to testify to the Maryland General Assembly on Thursday in support of legislation that would require coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment. I'm no expert, but Autism Speaks is interested in my personal story, and if sharing it can help other families living with autism, I'm happy to do it.

This blog isn't about me, and I haven't included many details about my family. But on Friday, I'll post my testimony and let you know how the day went. You can also follow my Twitter updates that day, at www.twitter.com/mmiller20910.

If you live in Maryland, please go to autismvotes.org/maryland to see how you can make a difference. Join us if you can -- here are the details about Autism Thursday. Read the text of HB 273 and SB 394. These bills are sponsored by Delegate Kirill Reznik and Senator Kathy Klausmeier, with the strong support of Attorney General Doug Gensler, and they all deserve a lot of credit for their leadership.

If you live in another state, visit autismvotes.org to find out how you can get involved in your state and in the national movement to pass policies to support people with autism.

Time to Act Now to Get Insurance for Autism

Disability Scoop has a quick recap of some of the state-level proposals to mandate insurance coverage, unfortunately under the heading "States Consider Autism Insurance, But Economy Deals Blow." Bills in Oklahoma and Virginia were killed, but there's a lot of activity in other states.

Now is the time to get involved in your state. Go to autismvotes.org and sign up for email updates specific to your state.

Calling all Marylanders -- This is the big week for Maryland, so if you live here like me, please go to autismvotes.org/maryland to get information about what you can do. This is winnable, but it's not going to be easy. We need more families telling their stories.

Use of "R" Word Draws Apology from Bill O'Reilly

You read that right. Someone on "The O'Reilly Factor" said something offensive (no surprise) and then -- under pressure -- Bill O'Reilly acknowledged the comment was offensive. In a comment about the economic stimulus package, Dick Morris scoffed at President Obama, saying, "What he didn't quite explain to me -- and maybe I'm a little retarded about this -- is how are you going to get banks to give people car loans when the government is elbowing them aside?"

When this show aired, actor John C. McGinley of the TV show Scrubs, who has a son with Down Syndrome, was at the Special Olympics Winter Games, and he and several Special Olympic youth delegates let O'Reilly know how they felt about it. Watch their video.

O'Reilly heard them loud and clear. On his show, he said, "...McGinley...and the Special Olympics people contacted us objecting to the word 'retarded...' We understand that word stigmatizes millions of people... we are sensitive to the point. Shouldn't use that word." Read Tim Shriver's column on the incident.

Employment for People with Disabilities: Tips

Disability Scoop offers a great interview with Doreen Rosimos of IncomeLink, LLC, which helps find employment for people with disabilities. She says, "It’s tough to find a job right now for everybody, but I do believe it’s possible....Right now going to a small employer -- the corner market, the local bakery, the businesses with five to six people -- is the best place to get part-time employment, especially if you can go in and talk to the people there. Maybe they need someone just two hours a day."

She adds, "If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. When I help people find jobs, I don’t help them find a job. I help them find a place to be, where they can grow as a person and experience some satisfaction in their life, not just put band-aids in a box."

More on Biden at Special Olympics Games

In Boise, Idaho, for the Special Olympics Winter Games, Vice President Joe Biden brought introduced Kareem Dale as the special assistant to the president for disability policy. Dale, as you'll recall, was the point person on disabilities for the Obama-Biden campaign. "He is going to have absolutely direct access to the president," Biden said. "There's a lot of barriers. We've broken down barriers before. We're going to break down more barriers....This is a civil rights movement. This is a movement to make sure that we guarantee that all peoples in the world have the opportunity to succeed to the degree they are capable."

Dale said, "I'm just humbled and honored for the faith the president and vice president have shown in me and I look forward to working with them." View Dale's campaign commentary here. For people who care about the rights of people with disabilities, he's a good person to have on our side.

Vice President Biden Visits Special Olympics

On Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden visited the Special Olympic World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho. He said President Obama is committed to programs designed to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities and special needs, adding that Special Olympics athletes have what his mother called "bravery in their hearts." A recent report showed that Special Olympians are more physically active than the general population in America.

Progress in Utah -- Keep Up With Your State

On Thursday the Utah Senate passed Clay's Law, which would mandate insurance coverage for autism. Read more an find out what's going on in other states.

Special Education Advocates Have Questions for Duncan

According to Christina Samuels of Education Week, "Advocates for students with disabilities have a full agenda for U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, including rolling out long-awaited regulations for educating young children and cracking down on the use of restraints and seclusion as school disciplinary measures." Samuels points out that as head of Chicago schools, Duncan was not known for his interest in disability issues.

One advocate said, "He’s not been a great supporter of special ed. I don’t think he dislikes special-needs kids; it just wasn’t on his radar screen during the time he was here."

I recommend this article -- it outlines many of the issues Duncan will have to address.

Another Vote in Oklahoma

As you may have read in the post below, Oklahoma legislators have rejected a bill to require insurance companies to cover autism services. The Tulsa World has an online poll you should take.

When I just took it, 267 people had said yes, insurance companies should be required to cover autism services. Just 13 had said no. While newspaper polls are far from scientific, it's interesting that 95 percent of Oklahomans took a position that their elected officials oppose.

Support Insurance for Autism? Lessons from Oklahoma

I am disgusted by what's been going on in the Oklahoma "debate" over insurance coverage for autism services. The proposal was defeated last week, and it's a classic example of partisan politics and special interests overpowering the real needs of real constituents. If you think your state and other states should support insurance coverage for autism, pay attention to what's happened in Oklahoma, get mad about it, and fight even harder in your own state to avoid this kind of result. Sign up for email updates at autismvotes.org to get information about what's happening in your state, and what you can do to help.

As background, and this is not a criticism, Oklahoma is as Republican as a state can be. In the November presidential election, 65 percent of Oklahomans voted for McCain-Palin -- the largest Republican margin in the country. Looking closer at those results, you won't find a spec of blue in the state -- not a single county went Democratic. With that huge victory, Republicans assumed even greater control of the legislature and immediately made procedural changes that ensured they would not have any debate about any issue they didn't want to discuss. They also declared that if an issue (like autism insurance) was defeated, no one could propose it again for two years. Can you imagine the backlash there would be if either party tried to run the U.S. Congress this way? Do the terms "democracy" and "representation" mean nothing in today's Oklahoma?

Something else you should know about Oklahoma: Its daily newspaper has been named one of the worst (and most partisan) papers in the country. Take a look at what they paper's official editorial had to say today:
"Group health care premiums in Oklahoma would likely get a lot bigger if the state adds an autism treatment mandate. Lawmakers last week rejected the mandate, but the fight isn’t over. Mandate supporter Rep. Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah, taunted opponents by saying, 'Who’s running this, the insurance companies or you legislators?' He should worry instead about running off insurance companies and running up the uninsured numbers."

Rep. Brown's question -- far from "taunting" -- is what every Oklahoma family affected by this issue should be asking. And it's preposterous to say that Rep. Brown, the families who testified, and others who care about this issue shouldn't worry about this topic. Because what they're worried about is children with autism and the parents who care for them. (Read the posted comments after the editorial to see the emotional reaction of many families.)

The Oklahoma proposal, "Nick's Law," was named for the son of Wayne Rohde, who has put up an admirable fight under extremely difficult services. Some opponents of the legislation have openly suggested that people who don't like the law should move to another state. But I hope Wayne and other family advocates will keep fighting -- and make things very uncomfortable for elected officials who put special interests ahead of the needs of some of their most vulnerable constituents. Read more about Nick's Law and what may come next at http://nickslawok.blogspot.com.

Department of Labor: Unemployment High for People with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Labor will begin releasing employment data for people with disabilities. Yesterday it released its first-ever report, showing that unemployment among people with disabilities is more common than the general public and is rising. In January the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 13.2 percent, compared with 12.3 percent in December. Among people withoug disabiliites, the rate rose during that time from 6.9 percent to 8.3 percent.

President Taps Duckworth for VA Post

President Obama has selected Tammy Duckworth, currently the head of Illinois' Department of Veterans Affairs, to be the assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Some had hoped the top VA post would go to Duckworth, a veteran who lost both legs when a grenade attack brought down her helicopter in Iraq in 2004. But this is a very influential post, as Duckworth will direct internal and external communications and government relations. She noted the particular needs of today's veterans, saying "The VA system faces new challenges as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The patient profile is changing. More wounded soldiers are surviving very serious injuries."

President Signs Bill to Expand Coverage for Kids

President Obama today signed legislation that will allow about 7 million children to continue coverage through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and allow another 4 million to sign up. The president called the expansion a first step to providing coverage for all Americans. "The way I see it, providing coverage to 11 million children through SCHIP is a down payment on my commitment to cover every single American," he said at a White House bill-signing ceremony.

The Nevada family in this article, who have a child with Down Syndrome who has needed four operations, calls SCHIP their lifeline. The program is intended to help families like theirs, who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.

March of Dimes: Presidential History

You know about the March of Dimes, the nonprofit that works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. But did you know it was started by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whose birthday was last week? He was born Jan. 30, 1882, and in 1938 he started the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. A radio broadcaster urged citizens to show their support by sending their change in "a march of dimes to reach all the way to the White House." That led the foundation to change its name to the March of Dimes -- and FDR's face showed up on the dime in 1945. Read more at USA Today.

Insurance for Autism: More State Updates

In Oklahoma, still debating "Nick's Law," a study shows that requiring insurance for autism would have little effect on insurance costs. Proposed legislation in Connecticut would require insurers to pay for physician-prescribed diagnostic assessments that can cost families $1,500 to $5,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

Read about these and other states' actions in Montana, Utah, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and more at autismvotes.org.

A Super Bowl, a Towel, and What They Mean for People with Disabilities

This Sunday, whether you're cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Arizona Cardinals -- or, like me, don't really care -- you should feel good when you see hundreds of thousands of "terrible towels" being waved in support of the Steelers. The tradition of the towels was started in 1975 by longtime Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope, who died last year at age 79. Cope trademarked the towels, sold every year as "Myron Cope's the Official Terrible Towel" for $7 each.

The reason you might care about this story is because in 1996 Cope turned the trademark over to the Allegheny Valley School, a Pennsylvania network of campuses and group homes for 900 people with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. Cope's 41-year-old son, Danny, has been a resident in one of the homes since he was a teenager in 1982. “He’s never spoken,” his sister Elizabeth said. “Which is kind of funny, because Dad is known for his voice. It’s almost like the Terrible Towel is Danny’s silent voice.”

The school has received more than $2.5 million from sales of the towels since 1996, and a Super Bowl win by the Steelers could increase sales considerably. Read the New York Times article.

Va., Md. Moving Toward Autism Insurance Coverage?

Friends of ours were featured on the local ABC affiliate -- talking about the costs of autism therapy and the proposed legislation in Virginia and Maryland that would require insurance companies to cover these services. Watch the story here.