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CLIFTON PARK
Autism stories met with ideas at forum McDonald fighting for insurance coverage
BY JASON SUBIK Gazette Reporter

    The scariest day of Heather Taggert’s life was when her then 2 1 /2-month-old child Kevin was diagnosed with autism.
    Taggert was one of about a dozen people with personal stories about autism who spoke at the autism seminar and forum Saturday at the Gowana Middle School.
    She broke down in tears when she talked about moving to Clifton Park when her son was 3. She said he was completely nonverbal and had only been walking for two months when her family was lucky enough to enroll him in the Newmeadow Saratoga School.
    “If it weren’t for that early intervention and the treatment he received there Kevin would never have made it where he is today,” she said. “Kevin has evolved into a bright, sunny and fun-loving child. Presently he swims on a club swim team here in Clifton Park and he even rides a two-wheeler.”
    State Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Wilton, hosted the forum. McDonald has two grandchildren with autism, a developmental disorder that affects the brain. He said he’s fighting for legislation to require all health insurance policies sold in New York to contain some coverage for treatment of autism, which can be key to early diagnosis.
    McDonald said his legislative proposal has met with resistance from insurance companies because of the growing number of children diagnosed with autism.
    “There is autism insurance legislation in places like South Carolina, Texas and other locations and it should be like any other ailment. I think it’s very critical, especially in this day and age when programs and services are being cut back by the government,” he said. “You don’t want only people who come from wealthy families to have the funds for autism care.”
    U.S. Rep. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, attended the forum, as well as Assemblyman Rob Reilly, DColonie, and Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam. ................>>>>......................>>>>.....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01103&AppName=1

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He said he’s fighting for legislation to require all health insurance policies sold in New York to contain some coverage for treatment of autism, which can be key to early diagnosis.

okay,,,,early diagnosis...I can see that....but, what kind of treatment is required?....at the end of the article the 'teacher' teaches the child socially
appropriate behaviors along with learning skills.....maybe that cost could be covered by the union dues collected by teachers unions.....???? they
can then invest it appropriately for their well educated protected constituents for job security........a special course/job all funded by itself.....

I do not have an autistic child...but it seems that after reading this article the lines a blurred as to whom/what should be the machine......JMHO