It really scares me how common autism and autism-spectrum disorders are becoming. I have two friends that have children with autism, and everyday is a struggle for them. It hurts my heart because their kids are so cute and amazing, they just can’t communicate and interact with other kids their age, and their parents have trouble getting through to them as well.
It’s estimated that about 1 in 88 children will be diagnosed with some type of autism disorder. That’s a huge increase from past generations. The costs of caring for a child with autism are something that many families haven’t considered.
Healthcare Costs
The fact is that autism increases healthcare costs for children because parents seek diagnoses and cures for their children. Furthermore, the healthcare for children with autism is more difficult because children with autism have trouble communicating what is wrong.
If you have a child with autism, you’re going to seek healthcare that specializes in autism care. For example, You may require the services of a disability support worker who meets NDIS compliance for additional support, which can be an essential resource in your child receiving the best care possible. However, navigating these systems can sometimes present challenges, as many of these places are universities or programs that are difficult to be a part of. You may want to join a speech-language pathology program at the local university, but it could be difficult to get a spot for your child since funds and resources are limited.
Therapy Options
The best thing that parents of autistic children can do is enroll them in therapy programs to help them understand the world and communicate with others better. While it’s not a solution, it can help with dedication and focus.
For example, Boomerang Health offers a great speech-language pathology program that can help children communicate better, and also understand things better. That way, your child has a better chance of being to keep up with their peers in school and not feel like an outcast. No child wants to be different, even if they don’t fully understand.
The Emotional Toll
Finally, you can’t talk about the costs of caring for an autistic child if you don’t talk about the emotional toll it takes. It’s a lot of work, and it’s tough. I see it in my friends faces every day, and I know that’s its a challenge. For me, I can simply tell my child what to do and they usually understand, but that’s not the cast for parents of children with autism. It takes a lot of work to get through to them on even the basic things they need to communicate – and that’s hard.
Plus, no matter how common autism becomes, there’s still a stigma attached. It sucks, but it is true. The best we can do is be accepting of others, and help when needed.
Do you know a child with autism?
