By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
April is recognized as National Autism Awareness Month. It is a time set aside to promote the acceptance of Autism and to acknowledge the patients, families, and caregivers impacted by the condition known as Autism spectrum disorder. While researchers have made strides based in scientific discovery of developmental disorders, additional public health education is necessary and more research and tracking must be conducted to learn more about ASD.
Autism is a developmental disorder that occurs in the brain, causing speech problems and difficulties with social interaction. Health experts say that a child with ASD may experience no ASD symptoms or disabilities as an infant and later withdraw from regular social activities.
Approximately one out of every sixty-eight American children suffers from ASD, according to Dr. Pauline Filipek, who directs the highly-regarded Autism Center located at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Dr. Filipek, who works on ASD research with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that during the month of April, we have an opportunity to emphasize the importance of screening and early diagnosis in young children. She noted that “when children are screened and diagnosed at a young age, early interventions are more likely to lead to better outcomes.”
All of the school districts in the 30th Congressional District offer programs, usually through their special education departments, that serve students with ASD. The programs are designed to help students improve self-esteem, encouraging participation in society and positive health outcomes.
In 2008, the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) launched their Autism Program for children with ASD between the ages of three and eight. The DARS Autism Program extends treatment services and provides Applied Behavior Analysis for children with an ASD diagnosis. Dallas was one of three geographical areas in the state to offer the program. Since its inception, the program has been expanded to include other areas in the state, including San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi and El Paso. In 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature required DARS to expand the Autism Program in an effort to increase the number of children receiving services.
Nationwide, treatment for children with ASD cost $11.5 billion in 2011, according to researchers at the Rand Corporation in Virginia. Caring for a child with ASD costs an estimated $17,000 more per year than the cost of caring for a child without ASD. This number accounts for health care, education, ASD-related therapy, family coordinated services, and caregiver time.
Given that diagnosing ASD is very difficult, and there is no cure, we must support the resources geared toward increasing awareness. As a community, it is important for us to learn more about ASD. Early detection and diagnosis is often the key to a more successful life for an individual with ASD, because it is proven that early detection improves development. I will continue to advocate for increased awareness and more federal dollars to invest in research, so that we may help to ease the burdens that impact ASD patients and their families.
