June 13, 2010

The High Cost of Autism

There have been a number of reports on the high cost of autism. Kids with autism often need speech therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy and behavior therapy. Services are often not covered by insurance companies. We have been fortunate that the state's Early Start program covered all of Moe's services until age 3, and the school district is covering his current preschool. Additional services, like respite care, day care and specific behavior therapies could be covered by the Regional Center if we need them in the future. These services are expensive, and even though we aren't paying directly for them, they do cost us as a society.

There are additional costs don't always get added to the estimates of the cost of raising a child with autism. There are, of course, the emotional costs: the strained relationships, high incidences of divorce, and the stress on the family and siblings to name a few.

And then there are the little things. Enter exhibit A:

 cracked!

Moe bit my phone, my beloved Pixi. Moe really needs to chew, and though we try to direct his chewing to appropriate things like his chewy and try to satisfy his need to chew by giving him chewy and crunchy foods, he often bites on whatever is nearby. Fortunately, he doesn't generally bite people. Unfortunately, he does seems to have a taste for expensive electronics. This is the second phone I've lost to Moe's teeth.

The timing couldn't have been worse. The new iPhone comes out in just a couple of weeks, leaving me in a bit of a quandary as to what to do for the interim. I ended up having to reclaim my old phone that I lent to my dad, leaving him without a phone. We're both probably going to end up needing new phones. On the other hand I think I may have the excuse I need to get the new iPhone. I guess I also have a taste for expensive electronics.

1 comment:

  1. I don't know if this makes you feel any better, but my now 4 year old ruined multiple DVD players by putting my wife's bangle bracelets in them and closing the door. I think all kids ruin electronics!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! Respectful disagreement always encouraged.

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