by Pat on Feb 1, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Filed in Autism and Stress | Autism Family Facts | Autism Legislation, Autism and Insurance | Parenting Autistic Children | Stories from Readers | Treatment for Autistic Children
My son is Autistic and he's 24 years old. What we where surprised to learn was after he graduated at 21 there where only 2 programs in our area that were day programs. We looked at other programs that they said where for autistic but, they where not up to our standards, as far as where they where. People don't realize that on a daily basis it's a struggle just to make it through that day. When we go to the doctor's or the dentist we try to arrange ahead of time to either have the first appointment or the last one. I don't know how many times we were promised this and to only get there and have to wait a half hour, and by that time my son who was sitting and waiting has lost his patience. My son does not speak and we try to do this ahead not only for him but also for the other people in the waiting room not to make them uncomfortable and have to hear him start to grunt and make a scene.
In order to have my son's dental work done we have to have him put under. People don't realize that the every day visit to their dentist is a trauma for other people. People don't realize the financial burden that is put on a family with a child with Autism.
Example: When my son had dental work done 4 years ago, my son was covered under my husband's policy at the time. Even though we had that insurance and medicaid we still had to pay out of pocket about $1800.00 for the dentist and oral surgeon who was not covered under either plan. Are insurance covered the hospital as a out patient.
If the goverment believes that SSI payments cover expenses they are dreaming; it doen't even come close. My husband works two jobs and I work part-time for years at night because my son is now home during the day and still we can't make it.
He was in a daytime program, that didn't cater to Autistic for about a year, but I took him out because they had no clue to his behavior and was told by the director that if something happen to me and my husband they would drug his a--up if he had to be put into a place. Those are his words, not mine. My son doesn't take any medication's and we prefer it that way.
We love our son unconditionally and I believe that him being Autistic, has made us closer to him since he was diagnosed.
Our life's always revolves around our son's. He comes first for everything. I do feel that there should be more day center's with qualified people who have dealt with autistic to be available. I looked at two of them and they where in industrial areas. Trailer's pulling in and no area to be outside because of these truck's coming in and out.
Having an autistic son is a full time job, it's day and night.
So what I say is that people who have children who are healthy should have to go through one day with an Autistic child and maybe they will realize how easy they have it and just love and be happy with their children and take care of them