New York Moves to Require Insurance Companies to Cover Autism

My child has autism. Who's paying me for life? Please! We don't want money, we simply want our children's services and doctors to be covered under insurance WE pay for. I don't live in NY, and until recently, haven't had too many problems with coverage. I don't see where your beef is, but you obviously don't have a dog in this fight. For that you should be thankful. And also, kindly zip your mouth!

You must be one sorry SOB, how dare you say parents of autistic kids-btw grow up to be adults-just want the money. If getting the money(insurance)makes it easier for the families than so be it, its a disease that lasts a life time.
And these kids become adults and what happens to them, should the families be forced to putting them in homes cuz they can no longer provide for their NOW adult autistic or be forced to pay out their ying-yang cuz no insurance is available for them?
If the insurance companies can pay for all the rehabs these damn ass actors go through(no offense to any actor/actress...just making a point), then I'll be damned if they cannot pay for a true cause, and BTW I hope to God you never have an autistic kid/adult(I dont put know few who have).

Danielle W.,
are you nuts or just totally non educated about autism? Your comments are ignorant, and disgusting!!!

My son has Aspergers Disorder and I would be living on the streets if my insurance didnt pay for his meds( 500 bucks just for one). Autism has NEVER been linked to vaccines. I dont see dollar signs when I look at my child! What the heck is wrong with you. If you know nothing about autism and what it feels like for parents to go through,the heartache, the neurologist appointments, the theapy then say nothing at all. Dont you dare insult us parents that are doing out best for our children. We try to protect out kids from attitudes like yours. Shame on you.

Oh, I couldn't agree more with you Michelle! Danielle Watson, I don't know any parent out there who is wanting money out of this, ok, sure , money to help pay for therapies, respite care, Dr visits, etc, but not money so they can retire and just sit on the beach all day long. How awful, that people think this, just so sad. Both our children have been affected by Autism, you have no idea, until you've lived it 24/7.

Do you work hard at being ignorant or does it come naturally? HowEVER Autism spectrum disorders come about, it's time for insurance companies to help defray the costs of Autism related treatments, screenings and diagnoses. My son is in his mid-twenties and has a disorder on the Autism spectrum. Gosh, money for life for that? How does that work again? My 50K debt accrued in an attempt to get him a decent education and I didn't get that particular memo. There is a literal epidemic out there of children who are on the spectrum. Society needs to act now to help these children and adults learn to live in a neuro-typical world and be positive, successful, contributing members of society. The first step is providing diagnosis and finding treatments. The second, education and support for the care givers, some of whom are now in their 70's and 80's and are still caring for "children" who, in their 50's and 60's, never learned how to function in the world. Autism has the potential to impact every facet of society. The educational system, the insurance industry, the medical community, the legal system and prison system, the mental health system. It's going to touch them all. It's not just the problem of the parent with a child on the spectrum. It DOES and WILL continue to affect everyone. Stop acting like it's a scam for lazy parents to grab on for a free ride, because it is no such thing.

I have an autistic child and I have never received a nickel for him. His care is covered by my medical insurance which I pay for and he lives in a group home, he is 27. The thought that you believe parents of autistic children make money on this is ridiculous and shows your ignorance.

You are anabsolute idiot that obviously has no clue about the challenges for the kids with autism and the families and educators that work with these kids! How can you sit back so smug and say it is a paycheck?!?!? We live with these people everyday for the rest of their lives and let me tell you its not easy and its not fun. Everyday wondering if your kid will be able to take care of themselves when we die. These people with autism are mocked and tortured by typical children for their entire primary education because they are clearly different. What price tag can you put on that humiliation and constant badgering? Wise up and spend some time with the autistic kids and make a difference for them instead of hiding behind an uneducated opinion with no basis in reality! There are many autistic kids that can come up with more intelligent comments than you just spewed on this forum.

Michelle...
Sorry about your child. We might have the same $ premium for insurance. And you say you pay your own premiums for your own coverage. The fact is, I pay for your coverage, too. If you costs are higher than your premiums, then they come to me for more money. Insurance is a bet. We bet we will get sick... insurance companies bet we will die before we get sick, or our illness will be fatal.
So, you are winning the bet... getting more back than you put in.

you are a complete moron...as a mom of an Autistic chid, there are a lot of things that need to be done to make their lives as "normal" as possible. I for one have never asked for money from anyone, but I do utilize services that are provided (some which I pay for). And no one knows for sure if it was a result of vaccines or genetics or whatever. NO parents ASKS for their child to be born autistic....we just accept them as our gift from God and move on. You shouldn't judge unless you have walked in our shoes because you obviously don't have a clue!

What`s "sad and disgusting" is you. I am the parent of an autistic child - you, obviously, are not. We did nothing to bring this on ourselves or our son; it was NOT "preventable" - you have no idea how ignorant that statement is. I do not want "disability insurance for life" - on the contrary, I want my son to get the help he needs now while he is at a young age, so that he ISN`T disabled going forward. If you knew anything at all about autism, you would understand that. Not that I wish this on anyone, but let`s just say you find yourself in my shoes one day, and watch your insurance provider pay for acupuncture and hypnosis, but not behavioral, speech, and occupational therapies - see what your stance is then. And the doctor you defend who "got fired" (lol)? A quack who was receiving money from families in his study group who were gearing up for a lawsuit - his results have been disproven repeatedly, and the other 13 doctors who participated in the study have unanimously disavowed the study results. As far as my actions of which "don`t sit well with you" - after the public school system and my $900 / mo. insurance turned their backs on my son, I have buckled down and am working 80 hrs. / wk. to pay for his treatment at a private school. I never even get to see my son; if you "disapprove" of that, then kindly make a donation to Autism Speaks so that maybe one day I don`t have to take my current course of action. You have not walked in our shoes, therefore you look like a complete and utter idiot judging us. How about reading a book, doing some community service, - anything to educate yourself and help your community rather than spew ignorant insults at parents of ill children. If you choose to remain stupid, however, keep it to yourself.

Okay, for starters, the doctor who found a supposed link between vaccines and autism was stripped of his credentials because he didn't follow proper protocol for research. Secondly, my son's autism was evident at birth so I guess those prenatal vaccines were ill-advised?? And even the study to which you refer doesn't state that all autism was caused by vaccines only that it was one possible reason for the gene to be triggered.

As an adult with Asperger Syndrome, I am greatly offended by your skewed view on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Without my insurance paying for my treatment, I'd be dead or in a psych hospital right now because I attempted suicide at age eight due to not knowing how to handle the problems that come with autism. EIGHT YEARS OLD. People like you are the reason my parents had to fight to keep me out of Special Ed against my will, just becuase we're not your definition of "normal."

Wow. Let me fill you in. I am the father of autistic children (now adults). I'm not rolling in wealth. In fact, I have put off retirement so I can continue to provide for them. They get a disability benefit, which is a pittance. So, please don't talk to me about dollar signs. If it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not. Don't feel sorry for me. It's a priviledge to care for them.

Yep, Danielle, we're paid for life. We're paid with a 7-year-old still in diapers, who struggles on a daily basis to communicate his most basic needs with us. We're paid with the financial struggles of a one income household because between the therapy, doctor appointments, and just the fact that our son is very dificult to handle, one of us has to stay at home. We're paid with the physical bruises, bite marks, and scratches. We're paid with the unimaginable sorrow of watching our boy poke himself in the eyeball repeatedly because something is bothering him so much, then the midnight ER trip because he just won't stop.

My daughter is an Autism specialist with a Masters Degree and lady you DO NOT know what you are talking about when it comes to autism. Do you even know anyone who has an autistic child and what their life is like?? Maybe you should visit a classroom and see these children up close and personal , so to speak.
I repeat that you DO NOT know what you are talking about!!!!!

YOU have GOT to be kidding ME!!! My 2 1/2 year old son has AUTISM and I would rather hear his beautiful sweet voice spontaniously call me momma instead of any amount of money. You have no Idea what you are talking about! Our children need these services so they can catch up to other children their age and one day be able to function in this world so they WON'T have to depend on anyone else. If you have children Danielle get down on your knees and thank GOD your child can communicate he's needs and wants to you! Thank GOD your child does not flap his arms and spin around while other children are happily playing with toys or other children. Thank GOD you don't get hit and bit and scratched by your child who is so desperately trying to tell you something but can not find the words. Thank GOD your son does not have sensory issues that cause tantrums. Then ask his forgiveness for taking the gift of a normal functioning child for granted. Obviously GOD knew you are not a strong enough person to take care of one of his miracles. An Autistic Angel!

YOU people who think "paying me for life" is a compensation enough to even meet the needs of the Autistic person is sitting in a fantasy perfect world with ignorance as your twin.