More Help For Autistic Children and Their Families

Autism rates are higher than rates of Cerebral Palsy, hearing loss, and vision impairment, but students with the disease makes up only about 3% of special education placements in public schools, according to studies done by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Why this disparity? If autism is an obvious health concern, then why is it lowest on the list? Now is the time to make it a higher priority. Right now the United States Senate is deliberating over the 2007 TEACH Act (HR 2390). This bill would provide refundable tax credits for teachers to get training for teaching students with autism. With this act in place, parents of autistic children would have a huge resource for their children in public schools. It would open up a resource that is available to all of the public and in every school. All parents could afford it and have access to it. Senators and all citizens, please support this bill so that it will pass! The benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks.
Yes, this bill would cost money, but it is important to note that prevention, or in this case early intervention, saves money. As of now, nationally, autism costs the nation $90 billion every year, according to the University of Utah. Shouldn’t this be enough incentive to increase interventions? In addition, children’s parents who would not have sought help or known to will receive help earlier. This will save both the parents and the government money by helping to avoid potential problems in the future due to a lack of early treatment.
Autism continues to be on the rise, especially in Utah. Utah ranks almost highest in the nation for overall rates and leads the country in rates of late-onset autism, according to data from Utah State University. This means that there are many people who have the condition but don’t know what to do about it. They grow up with problems that affect them in school, work, and relationships, but do not receive help. Who knows how much more difficulty and money it costs in missed work and lost wages? If this bill passes, many, many more people with autism will receive care early and regularly, setting them further on the path to success.
Help those who suffer with autism and their families. Help this bill to pass by supporting it and voting for it in the senate. Bring about this change so that all affected students can receive help and costs can be reduced nationally and for individuals.