JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. - Families in Johnson County are going into debt trying to take care of their children with autism. Now, theyre pushing state lawmakers to act.
Kansas is one of 14 states that doesnt require insurance companies to pay for autism treatment. Its treatment that could help someone like 10-year-old Claire Judah of Gardner, Kan., who may never be able to take care of herself.
"You wake up in the morning knowing that your child in going to need your care 24 hours a day," Claires mother Beatrice Judah said.
Beatrice is on the verge of quitting her job to take care of Claire and her three other children with autism. Claire, however, has the most severe symptoms.
"We don't go out as a family to restaurants. We've tried that and there has been explosions," Claires father Doug Judah said.
"My daughter needs a lot of help being fed. She still hasn't learned how to go to the bathroom and that would've been a great therapy to have with her growing up," Beatrice said.
Beatrice works part-time and she and her husband cant afford to pay for treatment for their kids.
"I honestly can tell you that we have not looked into any therapies because from what we've been hearing from friends having such an expense. We don't even try," she said.
According to Mike Wasmer with Autism Speaks, the leading organizing for autism advocacy, therapy can cost families $40,000 to $60,000 per year. Unlike Missouri, the state of Kansas doesnt require insurance companies to cover the costs of autism treatment for all families.
"We're hoping that Kansas gets on board with insurance reform because there are so many families like ours who are struggling financially and emotionally," Beatrice said.
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Push for autism insurance reform in Kan.