Donate Locally, Where Your Money Actually Helps!

The month of April is when the nation recognizes autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism. Autism is a lifespan, neurodevelopmental disability that affects 1 in 59 children. It affects a person’s social communication and social interaction skills. It is also characterized by restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped behaviors. During the month of April, many organizations raise funds through awareness walks and other events. On the national level, many of us are not sure where these funds go. This is why most parent-led autism support organizations do not lend a hand or give money to organizations that collect millions of dollars each year and only allocate a few of those dollars to help increase the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers and families.

However, money raised by local organizations is given back to our community by providing advice & support to caregivers and autistics, assistance with autism interventions and treatments, educational guidance, parent training, and respite (AKA caregiver breaks). The following non-profit organizations actively assist caregivers and autistics every month in and around Houston: Houston Disability Chamber of Commerce, Tee Time for Autism, Hope for Three, Paradigm Development Center, Special Needs Sibs, Spectrum Fusion, Inspiring Hands, Easter Seals of Greater Houston, the ARC of Greater Houston, the ARC of Fort Bend, Katy Autism Support, Reach for Kids, Man-II-Man, The Village, Langham Creek YMCA, Friends and Families of Asians with Special Needs, Mikey's Place, FEAT-Houston, Treasures of Joy, Camp Blessing, and local churches that have a special needs ministry. During this month of autism awareness and throughout the year, please consider giving your donations to one of these local organizations. Below are some specific reasons, caregivers and autistics in our local area need your help.

1) Interventions and treatments. After an autism diagnosis is received, the next step is typically locating interventions and treatments. Effective evidence-based autism interventions and treatments can cost between $2,500 - $8,000 per month (behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and sometimes physical therapy). If a household income is below a certain amount, the state provides some assistance, for a limited time. If a household income is above a certain amount, a parent may be able to use private insurance to pay. However, most insurance providers shy away from paying because of how expensive treatments are. There are some insurance providers that do pay, but they usually allow limited hours per week.

Research shows better long-term prognosis when a child receives early interventions and treatments. This directly affects the quality of life (QOL) for the child, the parents and the family. Furthermore, it relieves an overall, long-term financial burden off the state, city, and county resources. 

2) Education. Some parents opt out of public special education for varying reasons. The most common reason is that many public schools do not have the ability to address the complex educational needs of autistics. Some parents use public special education opportunities but supplement by hiring a tutor. Tutors can cost from $15 - $35 per hour. Additionally, there are times when a parent needs to hire a special education advocate when dealing with the special education process. Special education advocates may cost between $25.00 - $75.00 per hour. Some parents enroll their child in a private school setting that specializes in educating autistics. Full-day, private schools can cost from $1,100 - $3,000 per month (although a few specialized schools offer scholarships to help a family defray some of the costs).

3) Lost wages. Autism is characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behaviors. At an early age many children on the spectrum are "kicked out" of childcare

centers because of aberrant and disruptive behaviors. Some parents find in-home childcare opportunities and some have relatives that care for the child. However, many parents lose wages and sometimes their jobs because they have to care for their child. Additionally, employment status is affected due to taking off from work for a child's therapies and medical appointments.

4) Parent Mental Health. Did you know parents of autistics experience more stress than any other parent population? This is due to many factors such as aberrant child behaviors, lack of support, and feelings of helplessness. Many organizations in and around Houston provide respite services specifically for this reason. Respite services are an opportunity for the caregiver to take a break. Respite is vital for the parent.

• For the parent, there are a number of tasks that are required but are difficult to complete on a normal day of caring and managing an autistic, family, and work. (e.g., filling out applications for schools, services, or funding, calling various agencies, autism-related service providers, insurance companies, and/or managing other family/work-related tasks that never get accomplished). Another important benefit of respite for the parent is the ability to regain strength, stamina, and the energy needed to implement early intervention (EI) strategies. Research has clearly shown stressed parents are unable to effectively implement EI, which further exacerbates problematic child behaviors that directly affect a parent's mental stability.