Autism Rates Rising

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Rosemary Card

STORY HIGHLIGHTS:

A recent federal study says that autism rates in Utah are climbing. Utah offers those kids medical help but insurance won’t pay for it. Continue reading →

Christine Passey says she always knew something was wrong with her daughter. “She wasn’t pointing, she wasn’t talking and so we just wanted to know what it was so some ways it was like finally we know what’s wrong but in some ways it was devastating.”

A recent federal study says that autism rates in Utah have reached a record high. One in 47 children suffer from the mysterious disease. Families with autistic children are joining together to make sure that their kids get all the help they need and the Utah Health Department said they are doing all that they can to provide for so many children, but early detection is key.

Nurse Al works at the Utah Health Department and he said there are signs for parents to look for as soon as their child is born. “The earlier we can catch them the earlier we get them into treatment. If we wait until the school age they have lost a lot of those skills and it’s very difficult to make up that ground once they are in school” said Romeo.

Passey said those medical services are a luxury she and other families can’t afford, because Utah doesn’t require insurance carriers to cover autism. “The one thing that will make the biggest difference to families in Utah is insurance. That’s it. It’s horrible to know that all these therapies are there that can change my daughters life but we can’t get to them.

Learn the Signs Act Early

Utah Autism Coalition