Editorial - Autism Financial resources needed May 21, 2009 BY John Curry
Editorial - Autism
Autism is rampant in society today. More and more children are being diagnosed with this developmental disorder. There are different forms and degrees of autism but in essence autism affects a child's ability to interact with others and to learn.
Resources to treat and combat autism have not kept up with demand. You would hope that this is simply because it is a virtual epidemic and an adequate response takes some time to put in place. But, indeed, it makes you wonder when you see the billions of dollars which our governments can suddenly produce to keep automotive companies in business and yet adequate funding to meet the challenge of autism is lacking.
The real kicker in all of this is that investing in early and proper treatment for children with autism now will save society many more millions in costs down the road when they are adults. With early identification and treatment, they will be able in many cases to be functioning, productive members of society. If the current inadequate funding continues, many of today's children will succumb to autism's behaviours and will require lifelong care and treatment, at a cost of billions. So, pay now and have success or pay much more later with no success, just ongoing care. That is society's choice today.
It is indeed refreshing and optimistic to hear about grassroots organizations such as QuickStart which are stepping in to try to make a difference. QuickStart has worked with the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre to begin an early intervention program to try to overcome the year or more that families with children with autism must wait before a child is even diagnosed and certainly before treatment, especially the effective and funding-deprived Intensive Behavioural Intervention therapy, begins.
Research studies around the world confirm the importance of early intervention for children with autism. Having to wait a year or more for a diagnosis means a year less of early intervention and hence a year less of some of the greatest advancements against the developmental disorder which a child can accomplish.
QuickStart was begun by a concerned grandmother and it is making a difference thanks to new Getting Started Clinics, the as-yet only pre-diagnosis service in Ontario. This is an advancement and a way of providing children and their families with the support and guidance needed at a most critical and upsetting time in their lives.
But the real solution to the autism epidemic in today's society is for the provincial government to start providing the resources needed so that these children get the diagnosis and the subsequent treatment that they need as quickly as possible. This will require money, no doubt about it. We seem to have lots of money to ensure the building of cars. Hopefully we have similar financial resources to ensure the proper care of these vulnerable children with autism so that they can grow up to a life filled with success.