Mohan Krishnan is a neuropsychologist and director of childrens services for Hope Network. Information about Hope Networks Center for Autism is available at hopenetwork.org/autism. By Mohan Krishnan
GRFAND RAPIDS, MI -- We spend a lot of time talking about whether autism occurs in 1 in 110 children, 1 in 88, or 1 in 50. This is important we have to understand why this rate goes up and up, and if there are modifiable factors affecting it.
However, the rate of autism is also frequently interjected in the discussion of whether we treat autism. Why?
We do not ask if leukemia, congenital heart disease, or other serious childhood disorders are common enough to merit treatment one child who goes unhelped is one too many. Its no different with autism.
Each child matters. Although therapies that can help have been available for decades, they have traditionally been inaccessible to all but the wealthiest few and lucky recipients of scholarships.
One year ago, in a historic and daring gesture, with bipartisan support led by legislators, businesspeople, families, and healthcare providers standing united, Michigan joined an elite group of 31 states that mandate availability of autism therapies as an insurance benefit.
This law went into effect in October, and now, in April, the same care extends to many children covered by Medicaid, to prevent them from being second class citizens. Finally, a few weeks ago, the state unveiled an ambitious Autism State Plan, seeking to turn Michigan into one of the best places in the world to live with autism.
There is a moral component to this story. In our clinic, boys and girls are thriving through early intervention with the applied behavior analysis therapy last year's law makes available. They are not statistics, but real West Michigan children.
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Let me tell you about one of them. He was diagnosed at three years of age, and went on to receive three years of traditional therapies with little benefit. Then, in less than two years of ABA, before my eyes, he went from being on a track to require significant daily care in adulthood, to a level that means he will likely live and work independently. He is now succeeding in largely mainstream education. He has learned skills that will allow him to begin making and keeping friends. And he continues to climb! He may yet go to college, become a "job creator," or change the world.
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Autism treatment can be expensive, but benefits can be dramatic, Hope Network leader says (Guest column)