As if the struggles that occur when you have an autistic child aren't enough, getting and paying for the therapies needed can totally devastate even the best budgeting.
In 2008, the average American families income was around $44,000 a year. The cost of a years worth of therapy could easily exceed $70,000. 2010 shows no difference. If anything, average income is down and the cost of therapy is higher.
Now there are insurance programs, school programs and public outreach programs that can help a family with the costs, but many times these therapies are not implemented by highly and extensively trained persons who focus just on autism.
OBAMACARE
What do we know about autism treatment? It is expensive. Young children need 20-25 hours a week of intense intervention. In California, Blue Cross went up 38% recently. Probably due in part to the explosion in numbers diagnosed with autism.
If the government takes over the health care industry it is my opinion that there will be rationing. At least that is what happens where ever there is government run health care.
As of this post, I have YET to find any assistance to families with autistic children. Once again, the Elected Heros have failed to provide a solution to our struggles.
For the state of Arizona, there is tool to help families find providers in their area. This tool has been provided FREE OF CHARGE by the Autism Resource Foundation and can be found HERE.
The Autism Resource Foundation also highly recommends the Hope Group for therapy and respite care.
