NY has lower reimbursement rates than state department recommendations resulting in no services for some children which disproportionately affects the poor, who can't afford special education lawyers or private schools and then sue for reimbursement. This is how children with disabilities won't get an education and end up with low self esteem, mental illness and sit in jails.
Racial Inequalities in Autism Diagnosis
According to a recent study conducted in states throughout the US, non-white individuals are not receiving a proper diagnosis of autism. "Among 4,498 children, 1,135 (25%) had ASD indicators without having an ASD diagnosis. Of those 1,135 children without a documented ASD diagnosis, 628 (55%) were not known to receive ASD services in public school." This is very concerning as they will not receive vital services which predisposes them to mental health issues and of course psychiatric medications when individuals are more vulnerable to some of the side effects. The underserved end up at Medicaid clinics where professionals are not given adequate time to perform adequate assessments, where quantity trumps quality resulting in underdiagnosis. Autism Research, "Disparities in Documented Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Demographic, Individual, and Service Factors" https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aur.2255
Sugar and Depression
A literature analysis, "The depressogenic potential of added dietary sugars," suggests an increased risk of depression from added sugars. While medications are often prescribed to treat depression, we need to end corporate welfare to the corn industry, manufacturing cheap corn syrup, and the fast food industry, marketing these sugar products. Tax money should not be funding health problems including depression. Let's fund health not illness!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030698771930876X
Applied Behavior Analysis Shortage in 49 States but Better for Families Who Pay
According to a new research study, the supply of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapists is short in every state except for Massachusetts. More certified ABA therapists were in states with the highest quartile in public education spending.
Not funding public education to treat problem behaviors only results in more medication use and overall worse outcomes with increased dependence on society.
Of course, my daughter Talia has ABA. That's because my family has been struggling financially but also has managed to fund her treatment and waiting up to two years for the Department of Education to reimburse part of the expenses. This is an example of inequalities in health care and education. Many children in NY have to be separated from their families and go to Massachusetts for effective treatment.
Furthermore, unless professionals have a separate credential and license, in NY board certified behavior analysts are barred from treating individuals without autism, despite an abundance of research evidence showing that ABA can help other conditions.
We need more teaching and much less drugging! Chemical restraint should not be the choice of treatment because a family is poor!
https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201900058
Autism and Exercise
Another literature analysis shows benefits of exercise in autism. This study found a reduction in stereotypic behaviors in eight studies which included 129 children. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) can teach individuals to exercise for gradually longer time periods and my daughter Talia learned to ride an adult tricycle using ABA. School districts also need to stop removing physical therapy from children's IEPs just because they reach high school. Research is only useful if we clinically implement the evidence based findings.
"Effects of Physical Exercise on the Stereotyped Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders"