Autism Resources International Is Changing Families Lives
We started a documentary project two years ago which has grown into the founding of Autism Resources International, “Ari”, a non-profit organization with the mission to provide resources and funds for families, research and awareness in areas that would otherwise go unsupported.
For hundreds and even thousands of families, what is readily available through funded sources is not the best fit for their child. Autism is not a one size fits all situation and no treatment has proven any more effective than another. Choice is important. Parents should have the freedom to provide the most effective treatment combination for their child. For one child Pivotal Response and a gluten free/casein free diet may make an impact, yet for another Floortime and Brain Balance is really effective. Whatever it is for a particular family, they need to be given choices, time, and flexibility to create an optimal program based on how the child is responding to the program.
Families with children with Autism are faced with a daily struggle as they attempt to meet the tremendous cost of these treatments. The insurance and state funding that used to be available for these families is no longer available so their options have become severely limited.
The problem is that the decision makers (state legislation and insurance companies) are focusing on the science behind the treatments as opposed to the actual results of the children. As they focus on the science they are taking options off the table that are proving to make a profound impact on children with autism. Financially this forces families to choose a treatment that may not be the best fit but it is the only option they have. If we continue to be hyper focused on which treatments have science behind them and make that the defining rule on what is readily available to families, we are taking options off the table that could make a profound impact on a child’s development and a families well being. This leaves parents with the choice of taking what is given even though it may not be the best fit or going into mounds of debt to pay for the most effective approach for their child.
We want families to have the choice to choose whatever treatment they see has an impact in their child’s life. One treatment option isn’t always the best fit and those options that are available through insurance and state funding don’t provide the selection that makes the difference.
Our intention is that the funding and resources provided by Autism Resources International will lead to more choice for parents and lower cost overall. It is our intention to empower parents and give them tools to be the central figure in there child’s treatment, thus leading to less dependence on the professional community. This will shift the paradigm from that of parents needing to step aside so professionals can treat their child for them, to professionals being a guide and mentor for the parents as they run their child’s program themselves.
Parents know their children best. By empowering them to be the central figure in their child’s treatment and development we can help families have deeper relationships with their children and in turn help them grow and develop.
Help us evolve the autism treatment community into one that is parent and child centered, with affordable, available service, through programs that are child specific to deliver efficient treatment instead of just brand specific treatment.
Autism effects every child differently so how can we expect one approach to be the most effective for every child?
At Autism Resources International we don’t.
We work with the individuality of every child and every family and help parents understand how to get on the floor and play.
You can help make this possible.
To make a contribution to the fund please go to www.autismresourcesintl.org
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