i have talked about this topic in my previous post and now i want to deeply search for the resources available for the autistic kids and how are they benefiting from it. How the American government is prioritizing and provide support. besides the federal government there are so many non-profit organizations giving a helping hand special this Covid 19 pandemic.
Congressmen Chris Smith and Mike Doyle, co-chairs of the Congressional Autism Caucus, sent a letter to congressional leadership this week expressing some of our concerns and requests for additional support for people with autism.
In a time of uncertainty, people with autism and their families are facing sudden disruptions in daily services and resources. This is forcing many autistic individuals over the “services cliff,” as supports they normally receive within a school system, day program or other setting are no longer available. To address the demands this is placing on individuals and families, we are advocating for policymakers to quickly provide assistance to individuals on the spectrum to ensure that their health and educational needs are met. Here are just a few of the policies we are fighting for:
Educational supports for students with autism
We support the efforts of states and localities to resume educating all students as soon and as safely as possible, including measures to ensure that distance learning and other supports address the unique needs of students with disabilities and comply with existing requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Looking ahead, we specifically support increased funding under IDEA to provide compensatory services for students with disabilities so that schools have the resources to help them make up for lost time. While schools are not providing general education services, we support state and local efforts to provide teaching resources to caregivers at home.
Expanding telehealth services
We support expanding telehealth services to provide continuity in access to physical and mental health services. Expanding access to telehealth services – including behavioral, physical and mental health care – could help families and individuals access care necessary for maintaining their health and wellness during this crisis and beyond. We specifically support expanding grants at the Health Resources and Services Administration that target individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
this is really good news and big shout out to all involving parties in these programme. this makes the families with autism feel safe and prioritized, protected and respected based on their differences.
now what are the facts and statistics in the United states population? and what are the costs planned for their living and education.
“PREVALENCE
About 1 percent of the world population has autism spectrum disorder. (CDC, 2014)
Prevalence in the United States is estimated at 1 in 54 births. (CDC, 2020)
More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. (Buescher et al., 2014)
Prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by 119.4 percent from 2000 (1 in 150) to 2010 (1 in 68). (CDC, 2014) Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability. (CDC, 2020)
Prevalence has increased by 6-15 percent each year from 2002 to 2010. (Based on biennial numbers from the CDC)
FINANCIAL COSTS
Autism services cost U.S. citizens $236-262 billion annually. (Buescher et al., 2014)
A majority of costs in the U.S. are in adult services – $175-196 billion, compared to $61-66 billion for children. (Buescher et al., 2014)
Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention. (Autism. 2007 Sep;11(5):453-63; The economic consequences of autistic spectrum disorder among children in a Swedish municipality. Järbrink K1.)
The U.S. cost of autism over the lifespan is about $2.4 million for a person with an intellectual disability, or $1.4 million for a person without intellectual disability. (Buescher et al., 2014)
EDUCATION
35 percent of young adults (ages 19-23) with autism have not had a job or received postgraduate education after leaving high school. (Shattuck et al., 2012)
It costs more than $8,600 extra per year to educate a student with autism. (Lavelle et al., 2014) (The average cost of educating a student is about $12,000 – NCES, 2014)
In June 2014, only 19.3 percent of people with disabilities in the U.S. were participating in the labor force – working or seeking work. Of those, 12.9 percent were unemployed, meaning only 16.8 percent of the population with disabilities was employed. (By contrast, 69.3 percent of people without disabilities were in the labor force, and 65 percent of the population without disabilities was employed.) (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014)”.
the interesting part is the increasing number of diagnosis every year. what do you think of 10 years to come about the increasing population living with Autism? do you think it can be controlled or manage the cause or any thing that can be done to help?
the other concern is young adults leaving high school and not getting employment. why?.
i would like to hear from you(1117 students) about your ideas or comments on this topic.
works cited
https://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy-news/priorities-autism-community-during-time-crisis
batulo's blog 