Debra and Matt Cody (above) understand the challenges of raising an autistic child better than most parents, as all three of their children have the disorder. Ed Betz/ASSOCIATED PRESS Visit the Photo Place

Solid families are best bet for autistic kids

Families of special-needs children need support

Date published: 4/26/2009

CHILD REARING is a challenge for many parents. But parents raising a child with a disability face challenges greater than the norm. Between two-thirds and three-quarters of "special" marriages fail, according to Tim Sweeney, a licensed clinical social worker who helps these families. Such statistics are alarming, especially in light of research indicating that family weakness affects the success of a child's therapy. But the commonwealth and its communities can--and should--do more to prevent these households from crumbling. With April officially designated National Autism Awareness Month, let's consider how a modest amount of public and private support could significantly ease the plight of special-needs families.

Chronic exhaustion plagues the parents of many children with special needs. A child with autism may sleep no more than a few hours at time because of sensory processing issues. For youngster and family, waking hours are governed by specialized routines, medications, and hours of various support therapies.

Intense tantrums can bring household activities to a standstill for hours. Families get few, if any, breaks, because of the lack of respite or caregivers. Parents worry if they're doing enough or using the right therapy and if siblings are getting the love and attention they deserve. Couples wrestle with inflexible on-the-job hours to keep up with appointments. Many parents neglect each other to meet the needs of their child. These families often feel isolated.

As a state and a community, we can help prevent these special marriages from disintegrating. A child with special needs comes with the added cost associated with therapies. Let's ease this extra burden by requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of therapy for children with autism and related disabilities.

Think therapy can't possibly cost that much? Think again. Therapy for a child with a developmental disability such as autism can cost a family nearly $40,000 a year, according to Dr. Richard Solomon, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician whose home-based P.L.A.Y. Project curbs the cost of autism therapy.

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Date published: 4/26/2009