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  Living with Autism May 11, 2008  VIDEO: Watch our reportReporter: Karen Tan More Australian children will be diagnosed with autism this year than diabetes, cancer and AIDS combined. The figures are alarming, with around 1 in 160 (or 125,000 individuals) living with the behavioural disorder. What's more concerning is that other than genetics, there is still no known cause, and no cures. There is little respite or hope for parents and carers who literally devote their lives to looking after their autistic children. Even after they grow up to be adults . Yet with the rise in numbers, there is a growing awareness and assistance in the community helping to ease the burden. Parents are realising that to have any chance of a normal life for their child, and ultimately themselves, intensive early intervention training programs for the young is vital. With autism spectrum disorder ranging from mild to severe cases, early intervention programs can reduce the severity of autism. The most severe sufferers will also improve with concentrated therapy, even into early adulthood. But the problem is a shortfall of adequate facilities offering this therapy. While there are a some government funded centres available, waiting lists are long. Nicole Rogerson started up her own centre out of sheer need after she went through the enormous strain of raising her own autistic son. The centre provides Applied Behavioral Therapay (ABA), that is widely used in the United States, but not readily available in Australia. Private centres like hers are trying to fill the facilities void, but at a cost of around $30,000 to $60,000 per year for each child, it is putting families under enormous financial strain. She has lobbied hard for federal funding to ease the burden on parents, but for any benefits, there needs to a minimum of 20 hours of therapy a week (or 1000 hours per year for two years). Late last year the Federal government announced and committed a funding package for autism, to be implemented in July this year. Despite being a step in the right direction it appears the limited funds are unlikely to meet minimum requirements. Meanwhile, the use of assistance dogs for autism is being trialled in Victoria. Righteous Pups in Bendigo is training dogs to help assist autistic children and their parents with the behaviours of the disorder. Viewer Contacts: Nicole Rogerson - Autism Awareness (NSW) Email: nicole@autismawareness.com.au www.autismawareness.com.au/ Lizard Children's Centre: Nicole Rogerson Director Lizard Children's Centre Level 3, 126 Greville Street Chatswood NSW (02) 9904 8130 Lizard Children's Centre proudly supports the 1000 hours campaign. www.1000hours.com.au/ Righteous Pups - assistance training dogs www.righteouspups.org.au/ Training of an Autism assistance dog starts early, and continues for the life of the dog. The cost to train each dog and support the family is $30,000 per dog. Righteous Pups does not charge families for this service - the cost is covered by grants and the generous support of the community. Autism Spectrum Australia www.aspect.org.au Aspergers Services Australia www.asperger.asn.au |
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