I've been meaning to do a post on statistics for a while now, but today I saw a video clip that motivated me. The following info is to promote awareness, and if you ever get the chance, please push for legislation that requires insurance companies to cover the costs of therapy.
* Autism (considered rare before the 1990s) now affects 1 in 150 children.
* Boys are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.
* 67 children will be diagnosed today (a new case nearly every 20 minutes).
* More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, Diabetes, and Cancer combined.
There is no "cure" for autism, but with early intervention and therapy our children can lead fuller lives. However, most insurance policies will not cover the costs. We are fortunate that Tricare (military health insurance) assists us with up to $2400 per month for ABA therapy (that's about 4 hours per week) and that our public school system offers a PAC (preschool autism class) program. Many states have programs that assist with costs, but children are placed on LONG waiting lists. We were told "at least a one year wait" for ST at the local children's hospital (so we went elsewhere) and have been on a waiting list for private OT since August. The therapists cannot keep up with the rising demand!
* Autism (considered rare before the 1990s) now affects 1 in 150 children.
* Boys are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.
* 67 children will be diagnosed today (a new case nearly every 20 minutes).
* More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, Diabetes, and Cancer combined.
There is no "cure" for autism, but with early intervention and therapy our children can lead fuller lives. However, most insurance policies will not cover the costs. We are fortunate that Tricare (military health insurance) assists us with up to $2400 per month for ABA therapy (that's about 4 hours per week) and that our public school system offers a PAC (preschool autism class) program. Many states have programs that assist with costs, but children are placed on LONG waiting lists. We were told "at least a one year wait" for ST at the local children's hospital (so we went elsewhere) and have been on a waiting list for private OT since August. The therapists cannot keep up with the rising demand!
3 comments:
Hi, I found your site through another GFCF site. We have been GFCF since 2002. It has worked wonders for my children.
I saw in one of your older posts that you made pizza for your son. Have you tried the Amy's GFCF pizza? I have found it at the Alexandria Healthway and once or twice at Whole Foods in Fairfax. It is really yummy and a nice treat for my kids.
Good luck with the diet!
Betsy
hey i was wondering it the video u saw was this... http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214/page/3
...if u havent its a great video
Hi,
I work for a disability advocacy org. and am putting together an article on autism for next month's newsletter. I found your site after a search on "autism statistics" and really like a couple of the ones you include. Do you have a citation or source from some of those, so I could include the source of the statistics? I am particularly interested in the higher rate of diagnosis for boys and the more children will be diagnosed with autism than one.
I'll try and check back on the comment list, but my e-mail address is bdfoshager@gmail.com.
Thank you very much!
-Ben
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