Percentages, Statistics and all that other stuff

In classic Jenn fashion, I find myself searching the web...nay, scouring the web for information regarding autism....I swear, I totally understand what Jenny McCarthy was talking about when she mentioned her Degree from Google University. I was reading about autism...again...and this time I came across some pretty disturbing statistics that I would like to share with you.

The Centers for Disease Control now estimates that 1 in 150 children are on the spectrum, which means every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism!! It appears that since the 80's the number of people afflicted with this condition has increased by 600%...now, for the medical community to not deem autism and disorders on the spectrum as an epidemic is beyond me.

The divorce rate amongst couples that parent a child with autism is a stiffeling 86%!!! I am very pleased to say that we are among the small majority that DO NOT fall into that category, and will not...we have a strong family foundation, and we know that God would not give us more than we can handle, though times we are definitely tested, that is for sure.

According to the Department of Education annual reports to the US Congress, autism cases in children aged 6-21 in US schools increase yearly by approximately 25%

Total chance of recovery from autism is less than 40%. Specialist and Doctors do say that children that are diagnosed early do have a stronger chance for "recovery" and repairing damage and delay that is already taking place. The most unfortunate thing is that less than 10 percent of the diagnosed children are recommended for therapy, and only 3%-4% actually do receive treatment...isn't that sickening?? Drug therapy, Physical therapy for atheletes that get hurt in their "field" of expertise are an everyday occurance...millions of dollars in healthcare are going freely to these people to get better...and yet parents with children that have autism are left clawing their way through the health care system to get put on a sometimes YEAR LONG waiting list JUST to be evaluated for the possibility of recieving therapies. Being on this end, I can tell you, it is maddening.

I am still baffled that the medical community and our government is not more motivated to get to the route of this disorder. I find the quiet demeanor of our health system to be deafening and it puts me at a loss. I don't trust my doctors. I find it even harder to trust the government...I sound like a freaking conspiracy theorist. Judge for yourself..if you want to read some interesting statistics and papers from government officials, CDC, healthcare profs. look here. Thanks for listening..I will step down from my soapbox now.

http://www.geocities.com/arnfl/stats.html

Mama, why does brother have to be different?

Ug. Last night when Shannon was taking little t for a walk before bedtime, I was reading T some books...we turned out the lights and we were turning in for the night. T says some pretty deep stuff. The convo went something like this:
T - "Mama, why does brother have to be different?"
Me - "What do you mean baby?"
T - "You know, his autism."
Me - "That's just the way that God made him sweety."
T - "Well I don't like it. I don't like autism."
Me - "Do you want to talk about it?"
T - "I don't think he should have to have so much therapy...other kids don't have therapy."
Me - "Well, honey, if he doesn't have therapy, then he will not have the chance to get better..."
T - "I just wish that he could talk. I get lonely."
Me - *just about to tears here, holding her and stroking her hair* "I don't want you to be lonely honey....just try to have faith knowing that he will one day talk."
T - "I feel like he will never talk mama. I don't think he is ever going to talk. Sometimes I worry that he won't talk and then he won't make friends. You can't make friends if you don't talk."
Me - "I know baby, mama worries about that too....but, we just have to know that he will. Keep showing him how ok?? Can you do that for me? He learns by watching you."
T - *sounding a little deflated by now* "I will mama."
Autism affects everyone in the household. I remember when I was a therapist in college, I worked for a family that had a 3 year old with autism. I saw how it affected the family dynamic, how at times it seemed to rip them apart at their seams, it rearranged the daily happenings, it caused the mom major worry. I remember saying to myself "I hope that I never have to deal with that...I don't think I could do it." Someone was listening. Is that some crazy twist of fate or what? I am not going to dwell, I am going to be thankful. I am thankful that I have a son. I am thankful that he is healthy. I am thankful that my family is strong and together. I am thankful that I have an amazing therapist team to help him and that we have a strong extended family support system. I am thankful for my friends and their acceptance of little t. It is all the way that it should be and I thank God for my family everyday....the good, the bad, the different and everything in between. So, for now, I will continue to help T through this rough spot and continue to help t all the best that I know how.