Noting that the Senate health care bill focuses autism funding on curative research, Susan Senator suggests that many parents might not agree with such an exclusive emphasis:
They want help that comes in many forms: educational help for their child; independent living help in adulthood; respite help to keep their family together in the midst of great challenge; and yes, even the help of no longer having to deal with autism at all. But all of these forms of help cost money, and most demand research. All of these forms require a piece of the public’s limited attention span. There are currently 1 out of 100 people in the country diagnosed with autism, but how many of them will benefit from all that federal money going towards cure research? How many more would benefit from school support, job training, job supports, and some level of assisted living — even here in relatively well-resourced Brookline?
