Earlier, I had written that soon after my two boys were diagnosed with ASD, I tried to learn as much about the disability as I possibly can.  All my readings painted a grim & hopeless prognosis.  The experts recommended a plethora of therapies -- speech therapy, sensory integration, play therapy, visual therapy, holding therapy, auditory integration -- but I wanted something that was scientifically backed.

I stumbled upon research on early intensive behavioral intervention (intervention rooted in ABA).  The research indicates that nearly half of young children treated by an EIBI program achieve normal or near normal intellectual & educational functioning by first grade.  Equally encouraging, the research suggests that most children benefit from such programs enhancing communication, cognitive, social and self-help skills.

So it was that in January 1996 we embarked on an intensive home program for both boys -- Nathan was 4 and a half, Josh had just turned 3.  With the help of an able ABA consultant, I recruited & trained tutors from an area university.

Within 6 months, Nate had regained much of the language he lost and within 18 months, he enrolled in regular kindergarten (with an ABA-trained aide -- a whole other topic).  He continued with his home program & ABA-trained aide until 4th grade.  "I am getting too old for this, Mom".  "I think I can handle this on my own, honest!" He is now a successful high school junior who continues to effectively advocate for himself.  He dreams of becoming a film maker. Math remains his Waterloo; but he has learned to use the calculator for problems that may stump him. He still has trouble with big groups; but he does have friends he hangs out with.  He wishes he could be part of the high school soccer team; but he plays on a non-competitive integrated team with an amazing coach and players who are amongst his best buddies.  I look at him and I am amazed at how far he has come, and how hard he has worked -- this boy, who 14 years ago, the doctor said was going to be insitutionalized because of his disability.

Joshua, at 16, has not yet fully learned the complexity of language, but his progress, albeit not as dramatic as Nate's, is marked and palpable.  He brushes his own teeth, chooses and puts on his own clothes and warms his own hot pockets. He reads and spells phonetically.  He completes 1000-piece puzzles in less than a week.  He listens to rap, classical, reggae, jazz and Disney tunes on his iPod. He is a hellion on skis and rollerblades.  He loves to hike and bike. He loves ribbons, tape and all things long. Up until recently, he saw no interest in writing; the keyboard was his written and verbal output.  He is a happy boy whose smile and affection delights us in so many ways. And although some words may not find their way out, and still some behaviors may need to be overcome, his courage and tenacity is inspiring to me.

ABA, in large part, helped my boys learn how to learn. ABA may not be the whole toolbox (we did the gluten-free, casein-free diet, speech therapy, sensory integration, music therapy); but in my view, it is the hammer.  It is the foundation of treatment.

But the cost is prohibitive. We were lucky we had savings from when Jeff and I were expatriates for General Electric. 

It is not covered by insurance (unless you work for Microsoft), state funding is frozen, and many pay for it privately.  The cost to families is incredible. In my work at FEAT, I struggle with this everyday.  How can I tell the single mom or the young family who already has difficulty making ends meet that there is this treatment that I know to be effective and can help but they can't afford it?

I believe that every child has a right to effective services.  Early diagnosis is critical, but it is far from a cure.  The various social service agencies and school districts need to deliver necessary & effective services so that these children have the chance to be the productive citizens that they can become.  The insurance companies need to share in the extraordinary financial onus these programs entail. After all, when you consider the resource demands that each child with autism will make on our society, one can only conclude that early diagnosis, effective treatment and support are not just decent human gestures, they're social imperatives.