Help With Autism

As I was winding down on Sunday evening I had “60 Minutes” playing in the background. My ears perked up when the interviewer started a segment about Jake Barnett, a math prodigy who is proud of his autism. At only 13 years of age he attends college – he began auditing classes when he was 8 – and does paid scientific research.

In the interview he seemed very outgoing, like a typical 10 year-old, albeit with an incredible gift. This belies the fact that at age two he began regressing and was diagnosed with autism. His parents got him all sorts of autism treatments, but what helped most was allowing him to follow his math and science passions. In the interview Jake said, “I believe [autism] is the reason why I am in college and I am so successful. It is the rise as to my love for math and science and astronomy. And it’s the reason why I care. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten this far.”

Children with autism may not get a lot of joy out of the season’s hot new toy. Knowing that, many parents of autistic children struggle with what to buy their child. Fortunately, a new San Francisco based autism awareness website has some stellar suggestions.

At the top of their list is the iPad. Yes, it’s pricey, but it can be loaded with games and activities that autistic children respond to. Unsurprisingly, Legos, video games, and sensory toys like stuffed animals are also appropriate.

The autism advocacy hierarchy is dominated by parents and researchers. Often those who are on the autism spectrum are not included in conversations. Yes, many autistic individuals are unable to communicate, but there are also high functioning individuals who want to speak for themselves. Five years ago, some of those individuals formed the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.

Ari Ne’eman, founder of the network, said “Discussing treatment and research priorities without listening to those with autism would be like allowing men to run the women’s rights movement.” Among the issues they advocate for are support services for adults with autism. According to Ne’eman’s group, less than one percent of research funds go to support services. (Most research funds are spent on finding the causes of autism and looking for cures and therapies).

There are currently multiple approaches to treating autism. Figuring out which treatment will work best for a child is largely a matter of trial and error. Researchers from Vanderbilt have been studying the effects of certain autism treatments.

The researchers concluded that several early intervention models, like the UCLA/Lovaas approach and Early Start Denver, showed dramatic responses from some children. Yet, for every tale of vast improvement is a tale of disappointment for another child. Until there is a cure, researchers need to continue researching how to match children with the most effective autism treatments.

Autism Speaks is a world-renowned autism science and advocacy organization. Earlier this month they awarded 10 new research grants that will disperse $1,782,934 in funding over the next three years. These grants have been awarded to help researchers to explore and build upon recent findings.

Three of the grant recipients focus their work on low-functioning, non-verbal autism patients. Gottfried Schaug, M.D., Ph.D. is one recipient who is working on an innovative autism therapy called “Auditory Motor Mapping Training.” Schaug will conduct a randomized control trial of the therapy that uses singing, motor activity, and imitation to activate regions of the brain associated with speech. There has been some success using these techniques with stroke victims who suffer speech loss from brain aphasia.

California state law requires insurers to offer comprehensive autism healthcare coverage. Lawmakers are renewing their commitment to the best interests of the child by putting forth a bill that would require coverage for applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy. Not surprisingly, insurers are resisting, despite the fact that ABA has a proven track record.

ABA is a type of treatment for autism. Autistic children don’t interact the same way most children do, which means their brains are not making proper connections. ABA attempts to provide these connections, which can aid in communication. Twenty-seven other states require private health insurance policies to cover ABA; let’s hope California becomes number 28.

Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder has come out in strong support of initiatives to protect and treat the children of his state. Among his announcements, Snyder called on insurance companies to cover autism therapies. He is specifically supporting two bills in the state senate that would require coverage to be offered for children until age 18 at a maximum of $50,000 a year.

Peter Bell, executive vice president for programs and services of Autism Speaks said, “Without insurance coverage, Michigan families often pay as much as they can out-of-pocket for service that can cost upwards of $50,000 per year. In the process many risk their homes and the educations of unaffected children- essentially mortgaging their entire futures.” Twenty-seven other states provide insurance coverage for autism treatments.

Applied behavior analysis, a form of autism therapy, will now be covered by Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross, at least in the short term. The two insurers had long argued that ABA therapy was not a medical treatment. Rather, they insisted, ABA is a form of educational or social service, thus exempting the companies from providing coverage. Under pressure from regulators, the two insurers have settled disputes with patients, as well as agreed to cover a minimum of six months of treatment for HMO patients. Kaiser Permanente HMO is also working on an agreement.

ABA is the most popular form of autism therapy. It teaches young children skills that are the benchmark of development. These skills include making eye contact and identifying colors. The therapy is expensive, costing upwards of $70,000 a year for one child. Many school systems offer ABA therapy, but with budget cuts many people see the insurance companies helping to pick up the tab a step in the right direction.

Early educational intervention is vital for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Complementary therapies including art, music, and interactions with animals can aid in a child’s development. These therapies help increase communication skills, social interactions, and sense of accomplishment. They further help in establishing a positive relationship between child and therapist.

Music is a particularly great treatment for Autism. Music helps stimulate speech development and language comprehension. Art is also a good way for a child to express themselves. Animal therapy, like horseback riding, helps with motor development and coordination, as well as fostering self-confidence.

It can be difficult to navigate all of the different treatments and therapies for autism. How can you know if ABA or PECS are right for your child? Start by reaching out to people in your comfort zone. Ask other parents of children of autism what their experiences have been with various programs.

Compare testimonials and reports of autism treatments. Check to see that the treatments or therapies are research-based, and if that information isn’t immediately obvious, call and ask about certifications, degrees, experience, and data. Finally, seek advice from reputable organizations like the Association for Science in Autism Treatment for recommendations on how to proceed.