Autism Research
Autism speaks defines autism as a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.
In 1985 and years prior, the number of children being diagnosed with autism was 1 in 150 (McDonald & Paul, 2010, as cited in Nevison, Blaxill & Zahorodny, 2018). By 2016, the number of children being diagnosed has increased significantly to 1 in 59 (CDC, 2016). Autism is becoming more prevalent. The annual cost for behavioral intervention therapy ranges from $40,000-60,000 (CDC, 2020) and median household income in 2019 was $68, 703 (USA Census Burea, 2020) Now imagine having two children on the spectrum? The cost of behavioral intervention therapy is double the amount and yet parents cannot afford to send both their children to therapy.
Due to my own experiences of being on the autism spectrum. I understand the challenges that parents and children face. Parents may wonder if their child will ever drive, live alone, get married, and have a job. Parents might also wonder what their chances are of having another child who is also on the spectrum. My passion is to conduct research on autism: what causes it? what are the risk factors associated with it, why is there a gender difference, and aging in adult population of autistic adults
I am asking for donations so that I can pursue my dreams and aspirations of getting my masters degree and do autism research someday.
My intention is to pay it forwards someday, by donating money to organizations that help people on the autism spectrum. Please help
support my cause.
Works Cited:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2020, September 25). Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2020, September 25). What is Autism Spectrum Disorder.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts. html
Nevison, C., Blaxill, M., & Zahorodny, W. (2018). California Autism Prevalence Trends from 1931 to 2014 and Comparison to National ASD Data from IDEA and ADDM. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 48(12), 4103–4117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3670-2
Semega, J., Kollar, M., Schrider, E., Creamer, J (2020, September 15). United States Census Bureau. Income and Poverty in the United States:2019. htpps://www. census.gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p 60-270 html.