1 in 91

1 in 91 children, 1 in 58 boys......do you think we are in crisis yet? When will we put enough resources into researching causes and cures for Autism? How high do the numbers have to go? In the 1990's it was 5 per 10,000 children. In 2003 it was 1 in 150. Now 1 in 91 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Are you alarmed yet?
http://www.autismspeaks.org/donate/we_need_answers.php
This legislative session the state of Missouri along with many others are considering passing legislation requiring insurance companies to pay for the diagnosis and treatment of ASD. Many people don't realize that insurance companies will not even pay for you to take your child to a developmental pediatrician to have them diagnosed with Autism. We received Wyatt's diagnosis about a year ago, and our insurance company denied payment because he was diagnosed with Autism. If he had been diagnosed with any other disorder that day, they would have paid the bill in full. Not only do they deny payment for diagnosis, but even worse, they deny payment for treatment!
Autism is the only neurologic disorder that insurance companies refuse (and they do this legally I might add) to pay for speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavior therapy. Discrimination?
As this legislative session gets underway, I'll continue to post updates and links to sites where you can write your representatives to urge them to vote for Autism insurance reform. Please support this worthwhile cause! These kids are worth it!