Mid-February finds me desperatly seeking the promises of spring..knee deep in so much schoolwork that the light at the end of the tunnel still looks like a teeny pinprick. Every single one of my children has experienced some long lasting illness of some sort that has kept them home for days on end all typically staggered one after the other just to ensure that at least one kid is still home sick. The sheer amount of work that each of the Social Work classes requires this semester on top of determining an appropriate internship for next semester is staggering to say the least. So I take moment here and there and just breathe. I breathe through the pressure, I breathe through the stress, I breathe through the anxiety.
It took me nearly 3 weeks to get enrolled in this class so I have a bit of catching up to do. As I write the 5 page Policy Paper due today I notice I also need to watch Ghandi for this class. If only I was Ghandi right now..Could be useful in some ways. For my Policy paper I am writing about a bill that is requesting the renewal of health insurance companies covering the costs of therapies and treatments for individuals with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. If this bill doesn't pass then families will be required to pay for these treatments which cost about $60,000 out of pocket per year for each family. Due to the epidemic of this disorder that is now on our hands it is crucial that these therapies be provided for these individuals so that they may have the chance to exist within our society as normally as possible.
Autism spectrum diagnosis' have risen 78% since 2002. That is a staggering percentage right there. Why in the world is this diagnosis so prevalent within our society today? One big issue we have to finding out that answer is that very little funding is actually put into scientific studies as to why this disorders has gotten out of control in our society. I'd like to wager a guess though as to why this disorder is gaining epic proportions here. First I'll start with processed foods and the scientific proof that food additives and colorings have an adverse effect on certain people which leads to autism like symptoms. Case in point http://autismparenthood.com/avoid-food-additives-to-solve-behavior-problems-in-kids-with-autism/ Second, let's discuss the onslaught of daily use of electronics (ipads, iphones, ipods, video games, television). Interesting that these electronics are now a widely accepted and daily part of nearly all kids lives. Third, the increase in the medication of depression/anxiety during pregnancies without long term study effects on mother's or their fetus. Doctor's tell you it is safe and offer you medications for these issues even though there is no long term proof it is safe. We do know that alcohol and tobacco use reach the fetus so why not Prozac and Xanax. Case in point http://xnet.kp.org/newscenter/pressreleases/nat/2011/070411autismrisk.html. Pesticide use..GMO's in food..pollutants in the air..I'd be willing to bet that all of these things have had some impact on the rise in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
As a soon to be Social Worker I hope to actively advocate for any individuals with these issues and help them to achieve the kind of lives that they deserve regardless if this bill gets passed or not.
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