AUTISM 101:
What do we know about autism, children with autism and autism treatment?
What do we know about autism epidemiologically?
The most current statistics are as follows:
- A review published in 2012 states that the current median global prevalence of children with autism is 62/10,000.
- In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently changed their claim about children with autism, namely that 1 in 50 children are affected by autism, compared to the previous estimate of 1 in 88.
- 1 in 54 boys are diagnosed with having autism, versus 1 in 252 girls, indicating that boys are nearly five times more likely to have autism compared to girls.
What do we know about children with autism?
Comparing these numbers to those of previous years indicate that autism prevalence is increasing. However, it is important to note that it is not the amount of people being born with autism that is necessarily on the rise, but rather, the amount of diagnoses – better methods to do so have been developed over the past few years, resulting in properly identifying more children with autism.
What do we know about autism scientifically?
Autism is a lifelong neurological, developmental condition resulting in cognitive impairment that can be identified as early as 6 months (it is formally diagnosed as early as 18 months). Though it appears to be a genetic condition, there have been no putative genes found, and thus there is no known direct cause of autism. And contrary to rumor, there is no link between vaccines and autism.
What do we know about autism behaviorally?
Autism consists of a spectrum of diseases, ranging from high functioning Asperger’s syndrome to childhood disintegrative disorder, which is considered the most severe and rarest form. Of those on the spectrum, 30-50% are non-verbal and lack daily communication needs. Because they have trouble expressing themselves, people and children with autism exhibit atypical behaviors, such as arm flapping, failing to maintain eye contact, and rocking. In addition to behavioral and communicative skills, individuals with autism also have trouble developing life skills. Because of their differences, there is a stigma created against people and children with autism and they may therefore face exclusion. Thus there is a need to raise awareness in order to increase acceptance.
What do we know about autism therapeutically?
Because there is no direct cause of autism, there is currently no pharmaceutical autism treatment available. But autism treatment in three major types of clinical therapy is available to individuals and children with autism:
- Speech and language therapy autism treatment – such therapists focus on improving communication skills.
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA) autism treatment – this is considered the most scientific form of therapy. It entails a process of instruction via repetition, using incentives/rewards, and aims to improve behavioral and emotional skills.
- Occupational/physical therapy autism treatment – this targets both fine and gross motor actions, seeking to improve coordination.
In addition to therapists, educators (who can be actual clinicians, or special education teachers and teacher aides) and caregivers/parents have pivotal roles to play. These two groups have to adapt to the needs of their student/children with autism, reinforcing everything covered in therapy sessions as well as providing a safe and nurturing environment.
There are also a handful of new therapies being researched, and sensory-focused autism therapy has been in the headlines lately. This form of therapy entails exposing the individual to various sensory signals in addition to regular therapy. The recent study showed that those who interacted with these sensory signals performed much better. It will be interesting to see how this therapy progresses, since previous promising attempts have not proven effective.
What do we know about autism legally?
A Harvard study estimates that it costs $3.2 million over a lifetime for autism treatment, ranging from $40,000 to $50,000 a year for children, depending on the length and frequency of each therapy session. This excludes the services provided in schools via the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which may not suffice for some individuals. The Combating Autism Act of 2006 made $950 million available for screening, diagnosis, and intervention, as well as biomedical research, but most of the funds are being used for the latter. And unfortunately, autism treatment is covered by insurance in 32 states only.
This is why there has been a significant push for autism reform across the nation, so as to require insurance companies to include autism treatments in their plans. One of the most notable cases is Ava’s Law in Georgia. Ava Bullard, who is now 8 years old, was diagnosed with autism at around 2. After being subject to intense therapy 40 hours a week, Ava is now independent and fully integrated at school. However, this cost her family about $50,000 a year, which made them use up their savings and borrow from family. Ava’s mom, Anna, is working on getting Ava’s Law (House Bill 309) passed in Georgia in order to save the state’s 30,000 diagnosed kids’ families from these exorbitant costs. Currently, Ava’s Law has been put in mandate committee, and will get a hearing next month.
There is hope for a positive outcome. Rep. Chuck McGrady recently got a Bill that would provide such coverage passed in North Carolina’s House. Its exact provisions: $36,000 a year for behavioral treatments, up to the age of 23. The next step is to get it passed by the state’s Senate. In order to do so, McGrady recommends reaching out to the Senate Insurance Committee. You can help push for this bill by contacting the members listed below.
What do YOU know about autism personally?
Share with us your personal stories regarding autism, we would love to hear them!
List of Members of the N.C. Senate Insurance Committee
Tom Apodaca, Insurance Committee Co-Chair:
Tom.Apodaca@ncleg.net
Wesley Meredith, Insurance Committee Co-Chair:
Wesley.Meredith@ncleg.net
Norman Sanderson, Insurance Committee Vice-Chair:
Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.net
Austin Allran, Insurance Committee Member:
Austin.Allran@ncleg.net
Jim Davis, Insurance Committee Member:
Jim.Davis@ncleg.net
Joel Ford, Insurance Committee Member:
Joel.Ford@ncleg.net
Rick Gunn, Insurance Committee Member:
Rick.Gunn@ncleg.net
Ralph Hise, Insurance Committee Member:
Ralph.Hise@ncleg.net
Floyd McKissick, Insurance Committee Member:
Floyd.McKissick@ncleg.net
Gene McLaurin, Insurance Committee Member:
Gene.McLaurin@ncleg.net
Bob Rucho, Insurance Committee Member:
Bob.Rucho@ncleg.net
Michael Walters, Insurance Committee Member:
Michael.Walters@ncleg.net
AutisMate 