Megha Satyanarayana, a reporter for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, recently completed a 2-part series on the issues faced by Latino families with autism. She states, “A 2007 report from the California Department of Developmental Services found since December 2002, the autism population among Latinos grew 104 percent, while whites grew 59 percent.” There is the obvious language issue, with many services not offered to Spanish-speaking families. For example, while there are Spanish-speaking support groups in other parts of California, Santa Cruz has only English-speaking Special Parents Information Network and the Special Needs Parent Training Alliance. In addition, there are cultural issues. Many Latino families feel uncomfortable sharing about having a child with autism or other special needs. Teresa Montes de Oca, leader of Fiesta Educativa in San Jose, says, “Culturally, it's hard, because a lot of the times, they don't have the information they need," she said. "The parents really look up to having a boy in the family, but if the boy has special needs, parents feel like, What happened? This is not what I was expected.” In Watsonville, there is a wonderful resource, La Manaza Community Resources, where families can receive referrals to Spanish-speaking services for themselves and their children.
Read original article: Alone with Autism: Latino Families Struggle with the Mysterious Illness
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Please comment on this autism topic.
Responding to insurance
Sep 13, 2011 by AnonymousWe have private insurance for which we pay a premium and deductible. It covers occupational therapy, language therapy, physical therapy and psychological therapy but at a combined 75 visits for calendar year. This is not for each therapy but rather 75 total for all together. Thus, even with illness or vacation times taken, we do not have enough alotted time slots covered to continue therapy for a full year. Once we run out of the 75 covered slots, we must pay out of pocket. We pay a copay of $20 per visit. So, for example, if my child sees a language/speech therapist and the ot once per week it is $40 out of pocket until we hit the magic 75 allowed under the insurance. Then we woud have to pay $150 for one therapy and $160 for the other per week. The psychology/psychiatrist appointments are monthly. All of these therapies would be available more frequently and I am told by the therapists very helpful if we could do more than once a week for 1/2 a session but we cannot afford to do this. The children on the autism spectrum benefit greatly from these therapies and it is something that should be covered under the insurance policies, just as any health or mental health issue should be.
Responding to homeopathy
Apr 3, 2011 by Anonymouswitch craft? Perhaps reading some accurate books on the subject may help educate about what homeopathy really is and how it's been around longer than allopathic medicine, which not only creates disease by suppressing symptoms with toxic drugs, but never cures anyone either. Homeopathy focuses on healing the body, the whole body, not targeting one symptom and suppressing it so another illness turns up later. It's been around for 200 years and it does work for many things. Considering allopathic mainstream medicine has nothing to offer children with autism besides drugging them.....perhaps homeopathy could improve their lives and even lead to healing.
If you are a parent considering homeopathy, don't let one nay sayer discourage you from doing some research about it and reading some books to see if this might be a viable therapy for your child.
Responding to neurofeedback
Feb 2, 2011 by Monkey's MomWe have been using neuro feedback for our 9 year old daughter for about 5 months at this point. We also use chiropractic re-adjustments twice weekly to alleviate the pain and pressure on her spine as well as allowing the nerves to communicate properly. She now after almost four years is able to recognize pain and say it is pain instead of acting out. She has a combination of problems, along with ASD, she was severley abused and neglected prior to being placed with us as a foster child. She has probably had some in utero chemical exposure, although that was denied prior to adoption and she was born to teenage parents with a familial history of mental illness. She has been out of that environment for almost four years now and is adjusting very well.
The good news is I was able to take her to an unfamiliar major urban area, we live in the country, for a two day group tour. She was able to manage the subway, museums, city noise, a large hotel, the holidays and a very busy schedule for the entire two days without any tantrums, outbursts or behavioral issues for the entire two days and on the train ride to and from. She has also not been in the "quiet room" this year at school either.
We at this point are attempting to decrease some of her meds. It has been a little hit and miss trying to get the correct frequency and locations when we are trying to correct or address specific behaviors. When the doctor places the electrode on an area that he knows on other children will treat obsessive behaviors, it activate her frontal lobe and she becomes alomst manic prior to and after her meds wear off.
It takes really knowing your child and a good relationship with the provider as well as working very closely with her school contacts and teachers. Communication is key if this is going to work at all. If we don't communicate she doesn't get the treatment she needs and it may take several weeks to get back where she was before something was changed.
So as a parent I feel it is truly worth everything it takes to get this accomplished. Just be prepared for things to happen you didn't expect, either good or bad and find a provider that is willing to re-adjust a treatment when something goes wrong. Be patient as you may initially see results for only a few days at a time. Then understand that not every child is "wired" the same and until their is a good relationship between client and provider and an understanding of what does and doesn't work it will, be experimental for a little while.
Seizures
Aug 10, 2009 by AnonymousMy daughter has Atonic Seizures ( Drop Attacks) gets 5-10 a Day! Has been on Ketogenic Diet for a month, now. There has been no change or reducing in the seizures. My question is How do parents out there cope with such a illness?
Concern Mom from E.P. ,Texas