The biggest and foremost are the staggering numbers of those directly impacted by becoming diagnosed. The numbers are increasing, and no one knows why.
If you do the math, that's 24,455 people per year, which is almost the entire population of our town ... in just one year.
Many people wish that science or doctors could detect autism at the earliest stage possible. It would also give them a clear description of the condition and a map of action that could produce concrete results. Some people wish that Autism could be cured with a pill. Others (including those on the spectrum) see it as a part of themselves. Insurance companies ... well, that's a whole other universe.
But somehow, it doesn't seem to be a priority at the national, policy-making levels (yet):
Again, the problem is not holding steady, fluctuating, or decreasing, it is GROWING:
This growth in numbers of those affected by autism, combined with evidence-based practice supporting the importance of early intervention, makes me want to scream when the budgets for these early clinical and support programs get reduced or axed. We are cutting a few dollars now with the result that more services will be needed, and at greater cost, a few short years down the road.
And what do these facts actually *look* like? Well ...
They look like families
Who come together
Support each other
(the banner says "I love my brother with Autism")
and walk for answers
Because:
and
1 comment:
The number of people was wonderful. The love and support....awesome. Nana
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