Many families of children with autism experience extreme financial hardship as a result of their child receiving an autism diagnosis. While a diagnosis puts a child on the road to treatment, there is no money tree being planted in any family’s backyard. A Harvard University study put societal costs for caring and treating individuals with autism in the U.S. at $35+ billion per year. Direct costs per ASD individual are estimated to be between $29,000 - $43,000 per year with annual indirect costs to the individual and/or family estimated to range from $39,000 to nearly $130,000.
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Autism hits close to home:
According to the Special Services Department for Medical Lake School District, there are 16 children enrolled in MLSD who have an Autism spectrum disorder. The total school district enrollment is 2002. When you break down the numbers, it’s 1 in 125 children in Medical Lake schools who have some form of autism. These numbers do not include the little ones too young for school. Even at 1 in 125 we exceed the national average of 1 in 150.
By Theresa Wrangham, President of Safeminds, and USAAA Director of Educational Development
A child or adult with an ASD might:
■ not play “pretend” games (pretend to “feed” a doll)
■ not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)
■ not look at objects when another person points at them
■ have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
■ avoid eye contact and want to be alone
■ have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
■ prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
■ appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
■ be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
■ repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
■ have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
■ repeat actions over and over again
■ have trouble adapting when a routine changes
■ have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
■ lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were using)
Dylan
Come share the road with me, my own and where the black clouds gather.
I'll share the load with thee, my son; and we'll press on together. J.Oxenham
Did you Know...
•
1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism
1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism •1 in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum
1 in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum •67 children are diagnosed per day
67 children are diagnosed per day •A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes •More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined •Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. •Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade
Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade •Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases •Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism Incidence vs. Private Funding
•Leukemia: Affects 1 in 25,000 / Funding: $310 million
Leukemia: Affects 1 in 25,000 / Funding: $310 million •Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 20,000 / Funding: $175 million
Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 20,000 / Funding: $175 million •Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 8,000 / Funding: $394 million
Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 8,000 / Funding: $394 million •Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding: $130 million
Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding: $130 million •Autism: Affects 1 in 150 / Funding: $42 million
Autism: Affects 1 in 150 / Funding: $42 millionNational Institutes of Health Funds Allocation
•Total 2007 NIH budget: $29 billion
Total 2007 NIH budget: $29 billion •Of this, $80 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.28% of total NIH funding.
Of this, $80 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.28% of total NIH funding.(According to Autism Speaks' review, only 63% of the $127 million of the NIH's autism-related spending in FY2007 was on direct autism spending.)
Brandon
You will always be the apple of my eye.
My strong Butterfly.
I look to you for inspiration.
Through all the trials in this situation.
You were always my strong Butterfly.
You faced wars that armies could not conquer.
…You amazed me with your strength.
And influence me with your courage.
Dear Butterfly you are something that should be cherished.
It is true life is not the fairest sight.
But you still push forward with all of your might.
…Reclaim your life.
Let it begin again. This is my Butterfly.
Standing here with all the strength God created you with.
This is my Butterfly.
My precious gift.
Author: Sherrilynn Tymirra Cook
