Dear Representative:
I am writing to voice my concerns about the proposed budget cuts to the developmentally disabled services. As you know, the Governor has directed that all State Departments reduce their spending by 2.7%. In the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals, this budget cut would reduce the money needed for developmentally disabled services by $5.6 million a year. These cuts would compromise the quality of care that the individuals need and truly deserve.
I currently work for Perspectives Corporation. We support over 400 individuals with varying degrees of developmental disabilities. I work as a behavior specialist, providing early intervention therapy to young children diagnosed with autism. I witness first hand the affects of this developmental disability on both the children and their families. Through my work, I am able to observe the growth and immense progress that these children make on a day to day basis.
Not including the many other organizations in the state that provide similar services, this budget cut would equal $220,000 per month for Perspectives Corporation alone. There are numerous ramifications on the individuals and the company if this cut is allowed. There would be less staffing and therapeutic services for the disabled, creating potential safety issues for both the individuals and the community. Along with this, there would be an inevitable reduction in choices for those seeking services. These children and adults with developmental disabilities are already so limited. Why limit them even more by taking away a therapy that helps them progress so immensely?
Through research it has been proven that the affects of autism can be greatly improved upon in time with treatment such as early intervention services and other therapeutic services. This therapy is extremely important for the growth of these individuals. It allows them the opportunity to reduce their autistic symptoms, while also allowing them to keep their sense of self. Those with autism can grow and live healthy lives. It gives children the opportunity to actually be mainstreamed into a public school system and adults the opportunity to become active community members.
If you support this budget cut, so many people will be denied the opportunity for a better future. I am asking for your help. The health and safety of the people we support is at risk if Perspectives is forced to absorb more cuts. We need your help in preserving services for the developmentally disabled.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Letter to Pro-Cure Activist
Here is a letter that I wrote and sent to an organization that claims themselves to be pro-cure when it comes to autism. I wrote this letter with hopes that I could actually make a change...
Dear Anonymous,
I am writing to you in order to propose a change. I want organizations that put all of their time and money into finding a cure for autism to realize the real issue at hand. There are so many people living in this world that are completely ignorant to the issues surrounding autism. They judge without knowing; they stare with questioning eyes. It is so important for society to recognize what autism truly is. Autism is a way of life. It is a variation in functioning. With pro-cure views, the money on research prevents autism from being seen as a way of life, but rather as a disease. Billions of dollars are going into the research of autism, while there is yet to be a consensus on the cause, and there are no specific findings on a cure. Through this fact alone, the idea of acceptance and awareness should be at the forefront.
I currently work as a behavior specialist, providing early intervention therapy to young children diagnosed with autism. I witness first hand the affects of this developmental disability on both the children and their families. Through my work, I am able to observe the growth and immense progress that these children make on a day to day basis. I have seen the ups and downs. While their lives are full of struggles, I also am able to view the passion that they have for life. With days filled with early intervention services, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, these children are faced with constant mountains to climb. However, they continue to laugh hard and show incredible love and affection. It is through these children with autism that I have learned to appreciate the smaller things in life.
Throughout the years, people continue to develop these preconceived ideas about what autism actually is. However, they do not fully understand the individuals and their specific cases. When society is faced with something as serious as the growing number of children with autism, they immediately decide that the only route to take is finding a way to cure it. That is why more efforts need to be placed on educating those who have not been directly affected by autism and helping autism become more accepted, rather than simply a misunderstood disease.
I am asking you to consider all of this in order to make alternate decisions on how to inform the public on the issues surrounding autism. Take into consideration the possibility of allocating more funds into educational programs on the acceptance and awareness of autism. I am not suggesting that the idea of finding a cure should be completely eliminated from view. However, those lacking knowledge need to be better informed while a cure has yet to be found.
Yours Truly
Dear Anonymous,
I am writing to you in order to propose a change. I want organizations that put all of their time and money into finding a cure for autism to realize the real issue at hand. There are so many people living in this world that are completely ignorant to the issues surrounding autism. They judge without knowing; they stare with questioning eyes. It is so important for society to recognize what autism truly is. Autism is a way of life. It is a variation in functioning. With pro-cure views, the money on research prevents autism from being seen as a way of life, but rather as a disease. Billions of dollars are going into the research of autism, while there is yet to be a consensus on the cause, and there are no specific findings on a cure. Through this fact alone, the idea of acceptance and awareness should be at the forefront.
I currently work as a behavior specialist, providing early intervention therapy to young children diagnosed with autism. I witness first hand the affects of this developmental disability on both the children and their families. Through my work, I am able to observe the growth and immense progress that these children make on a day to day basis. I have seen the ups and downs. While their lives are full of struggles, I also am able to view the passion that they have for life. With days filled with early intervention services, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, these children are faced with constant mountains to climb. However, they continue to laugh hard and show incredible love and affection. It is through these children with autism that I have learned to appreciate the smaller things in life.
Throughout the years, people continue to develop these preconceived ideas about what autism actually is. However, they do not fully understand the individuals and their specific cases. When society is faced with something as serious as the growing number of children with autism, they immediately decide that the only route to take is finding a way to cure it. That is why more efforts need to be placed on educating those who have not been directly affected by autism and helping autism become more accepted, rather than simply a misunderstood disease.
I am asking you to consider all of this in order to make alternate decisions on how to inform the public on the issues surrounding autism. Take into consideration the possibility of allocating more funds into educational programs on the acceptance and awareness of autism. I am not suggesting that the idea of finding a cure should be completely eliminated from view. However, those lacking knowledge need to be better informed while a cure has yet to be found.
Yours Truly
Public Reactions
With pro-cure views, the money on research prevents autism from being seen as a way of life, but rather as a disease. Billions of dollars are going into the research of autism, while there is yet to be a consensus on the cause, and there are no specific findings on a cure. Through this fact alone, the idea of acceptance and awareness should be at the forefront.
It is through personal experience that I see the reactions of people when they see a child with autism acting out, or doing something out of the ordinary. The reactions of those who have not been directly affected by autism are what continually prove the lack of understanding that our society has. A parent of one of the children I provide services to told me all about the struggles of bringing her child out into a society of people who misunderstand the nature of autism.
“I feel like people can be so ignorant. When I bring my child to the doctor’s office, of course he can’t sit still. He likes to flick the light switches and investigate everything in the waiting room. To me, this is typical child behavior, but then I see the looks. The parents look at me like ‘Man, control your child.’ The thing is, they have no idea. They judge without anything to back it up”
It is statements like this that bring into perspective the gravity of the situation; the complete absence of awareness and acceptance. It is important that we improve the lives of those with autism, while also helping those who do not understand it take on a different view. Those who do not have children with autism, or do not even know someone with autism may find it difficult to empathize with others. By allowing these so-called “outsiders” to understand the issues, a sense of awareness can be achieved.
It is through personal experience that I see the reactions of people when they see a child with autism acting out, or doing something out of the ordinary. The reactions of those who have not been directly affected by autism are what continually prove the lack of understanding that our society has. A parent of one of the children I provide services to told me all about the struggles of bringing her child out into a society of people who misunderstand the nature of autism.
“I feel like people can be so ignorant. When I bring my child to the doctor’s office, of course he can’t sit still. He likes to flick the light switches and investigate everything in the waiting room. To me, this is typical child behavior, but then I see the looks. The parents look at me like ‘Man, control your child.’ The thing is, they have no idea. They judge without anything to back it up”
It is statements like this that bring into perspective the gravity of the situation; the complete absence of awareness and acceptance. It is important that we improve the lives of those with autism, while also helping those who do not understand it take on a different view. Those who do not have children with autism, or do not even know someone with autism may find it difficult to empathize with others. By allowing these so-called “outsiders” to understand the issues, a sense of awareness can be achieved.
The Other Side: Pro-Cure Views
There are numerous organizations that continually put there time and money into fighting for a cure. Like most other organizations focused on autism, these pro-cure activist groups are typically run by those who have experienced the affects of autism first hand through the diagnosis of family members. These groups look at autism as a mental disorder that needs to be cured in order to prevent further suffering of families and children. The United States government currently spends approximately $35 billion dollars annually on research into autism.
Currently there are major budget cuts being made in the Early Intervention Therapy programs in Rhode Island. The lives of these families and children are being directly affected by these government actions. If this therapy significantly improves the future for these children, then why is this being taken away? The money being put out by the government for research and the search for a cure is completely disproportionate to the money that is being taken away from these therapy programs. The search for a cure has made the idea of acceptance and awareness a subordinate issue.
Currently there are major budget cuts being made in the Early Intervention Therapy programs in Rhode Island. The lives of these families and children are being directly affected by these government actions. If this therapy significantly improves the future for these children, then why is this being taken away? The money being put out by the government for research and the search for a cure is completely disproportionate to the money that is being taken away from these therapy programs. The search for a cure has made the idea of acceptance and awareness a subordinate issue.
Therapeutic Services
It has been scientifically proven that the affects of autism can be greatly improved upon in time with treatment such as early intervention services and other therapeutic services. “Individual child therapy is intensive, preventative, developmental, habilitative, and remedial treatment of a child for the purpose of accelerating the child’s development and functional skill acquisition, or the remediation of specific skill or behavioral deficits” (Rhode Island Department of Human Services). This therapy is extremely important for the growth of these individuals. It allows them the opportunity to reduce their autistic symptoms, while also allowing them to keep their sense of self. All of these early intervention therapies help for children with autism to grow and live healthy lives. It gives them the opportunity to actually be mainstreamed into a public school system, and become active community members.
Gain Some Knowledge on Autism
There continues to be many theories surrounding the cause of autism including vaccinations in infants and genetic flaws. There are numerous symptoms that children with autism experience throughout the first years of their lives, making a diagnosis easily recognized by parents and doctors. The most typical symptoms include difficulty with social interactions, along with delays in verbal and nonverbal communication. Other signs include repetitive motor movements and lack of eye contact. There are varying degrees of autism, and it tends to affect children in all different ways.
According to the United States Department of Education, autism is growing approximately 15 percent each year. Along with this, in a 2007 study done by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it was noted that autism affects about 1 in every 100 births; and with this, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States, and as stated by the Autism Speaks Organization, more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. How can this be?
With such startling statistics, the growing number of autistic children and still no cure, it is vital to focus on the way these individuals are perceived and what society knows about their condition. The Autism Society of America concluded that, “Children do not ‘outgrow’ autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention can lead to significantly improved outcomes. With the right services and supports, people with autism can live full, healthy and meaningful lives.”
By increasing awareness and the acceptance of autism in the public eye, those with autism and their families can gain the necessary support needed to live functional lives. The Autism Society of America has estimated that the cost of caring for a child with autism during their lifetime is around $3.5 to $5 million, making it just as important to the family members to feel this sense of support, as it is for the children.
According to the United States Department of Education, autism is growing approximately 15 percent each year. Along with this, in a 2007 study done by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it was noted that autism affects about 1 in every 100 births; and with this, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States, and as stated by the Autism Speaks Organization, more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. How can this be?
With such startling statistics, the growing number of autistic children and still no cure, it is vital to focus on the way these individuals are perceived and what society knows about their condition. The Autism Society of America concluded that, “Children do not ‘outgrow’ autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention can lead to significantly improved outcomes. With the right services and supports, people with autism can live full, healthy and meaningful lives.”
By increasing awareness and the acceptance of autism in the public eye, those with autism and their families can gain the necessary support needed to live functional lives. The Autism Society of America has estimated that the cost of caring for a child with autism during their lifetime is around $3.5 to $5 million, making it just as important to the family members to feel this sense of support, as it is for the children.
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