Ok so I may be on a soapbox here, but did you know that in Utah health insurance does not cover the recommended treatments and diagnosis for children with autism. I know from experience what a financial burden this is on an emotionally stressed family. I have been a lot luckier that most parents because Hayley has made enough improvement that I haven't felt it necessary to get the official clinical diagnosis, so she is covered medically. I do have very good friends that are not this lucky. There is a bill called Clays laws that is being debated in the state legislature that requires the insurance companies to partially cover these expenses. The recommended treatment for autism is called applied behavior analysis and it recommends 40 hours a week of training communication and appropriate social behaviors. In most cases this is very effective and life changing for young children. The down side of this is that it can cost up to $30,000 a year. (I don't even make that in a year working 40 hours a week) Who can afford that especially with what is going on in the economy, but if parents are not able to so this then what.... It doesn't seem like the best solution to ignore them now and then let our tax dollars support them as adults because they don't have the social or emotional skills necessary to have a job or even a fulfilling relationship. (Why would we want to deprive our children of this) Ok so this is where you come in. If you will take a few minutes to send a letter to the appropriate representatives for your district. If you don't know who they are or how to contact them you can get the information on the Utah State website le.utah.gov This takes a small amount of time and will make a huge difference to let them know why it is so important to us to get this law passed!! Please take just a few minutes to do this, it is so important!!
