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2 area families struggle with autism

Number of autism cases jump 50% in U.S.

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By Kim Margolis, Staff Writer Updated 1:53 AM Tuesday, October 6, 2009

When Marion Witcher took her daughter, Ashley, to the doctor because of delays the toddler was experiencing, the pediatrician said Ashley would grow out of it. Ashley was born prematurely and delays were to be expected, the doctor said.

Then, when the girl was diagnosed with autism, another health care worker simply told Witcher that children with autism were usually put in mental institutions. At a later, unrelated visit to an emergency room, a hospital employee asked Witcher if she could “catch” autism.

Health care for people with autism has come a long way since then, and Witcher said she hoped recent attention focused on autism will continue to move things forward.

“I think the awareness that autism is getting right now is giving birth to a new stream of educators and reigniting fires of (existing) educators,” said Witcher, a Huber Heights resident.

Two new studies indicate about 1 in 100 children have autism disorders, which is 50 percent higher than the previous estimate of 1 in 150 children. Autism is a developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It is a “spectrum disorder” that impacts individuals differently and to varying degrees.

Treatments vary depending on the individual, but often include intense behavioral therapy, as well as speech and occupational therapy. According to the Centers for Disease Control, research shows that early intervention treatment services can greatly improve a child with autism’s development.

Ashley has made a lot of progress. Previously a child who stared at a Sit-and-Spin toy for hours and who would not put her feet on the ground, Ashley now is a 2008 Wayne High graduate.

Nancy Bernotaitis also has seen improvements in her 12-year-old son, Sam, since his autism diagnosis at age 4. Originally a toddler fascinated with items such as cables and ceiling fans, Sam now is a sixth-grader with a 100-word vocabulary; he talks with others and is working on full sentences.

But there are hurdles, such as the lack of insurance coverage for autism treatment in Ohio like many other states, causing Sam’s family to have expenses such as $72 twice a week for speech therapy and, in one instance, a single doctor appointment costing $600. The costs of therapy vary depending on the individual’s needs and the type and frequency of therapy.

But even when there is coverage, there is a shortage of therapists who are trained to deal with autism, said Bernotaitis, who is president of the Autism Society — Dayton Chapter.

“They are doing more for early intervention and they are training doctors,” Bernotaitis said. “What we need are service providers. We don’t have enough speech therapists, occupational therapists and behavioral therapists. People might get coverage and can’t find providers.”

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I live in Florida, formally a Tipp City resident, my 6 yr old son was diagnosed PDD, ODD, ADHD...we have a great mental health program that includes Speech, OT and family therapy to deal with the spectrum of this disorder. If Ohio could mirror the Florida Healthy Kids program, children could get the necessary treatments required. Talk to your congressman! Everyone will be effected, if not today but 20 years from now. Think about it, what will happen to these children in the future?

valerie bradford
1:14 PM, 10/8/2009

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The company I work for www.rethinkautism.com has recently been approved as an acknowledged expense in the state of Montana.

We all need to keep on advocating with our representatives, and submit these insurance forms to the insurance.

We are collecting a list of all "medical expense" numbers, parents can use when applying for re-imbursement.

Don't give up! this is important!!

Nili Suhami
3:20 PM, 10/7/2009

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expensive to pay for two children to get 2- speech therapy sessions, 1- occupational therapy, and 2- physical therapy sections per week. The bottom line is something should be done to make sure these special babies get the care they need!

anonymous
7:30 PM, 10/6/2009

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I think it is ridiculous that there aren't better healthcare options for these children. I am a single parent of two special needs babies. One of which was finally diagnosed w/ autism this year. I work hard to support my children, and was receiving medicaid to help cover expenses for my special babies, and now the government tells me that because I have decided to get an education, and a fair paying job that because of my income they do not qualify. I have healthcare from my job but it is rather

anonymous
7:27 PM, 10/6/2009

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Any insurance coverage is better than what we have. I am self employed and our previous insurance company has completely dropped us because of what they say are pre-existing conditions for our 6 year old son that has finally been diagnosed with PDDNOS.

Ty pell
11:08 AM, 10/6/2009

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